It's Time To Expand Your Chest Freezer For Outbuilding Options
Why Buy a Mini Chest Freezer?
A chest freezer is great when you want to store up frozen bargains and need additional freezer space. Typically found in garages or outbuildings, they enable you to benefit from the price reductions at supermarkets.
This Currys own brand offers ample storage (around five bags) for the price. It also it has an A+ energy rating so it's a low-cost option to run. It also features an adjustable lid that makes it easier to separate food.
Capacity
If you're looking for less space than you'll need for a tall freezer, but want to stockpile enough summer ice cream or stews made in batches, a compact chest model is the ideal choice. These smaller models are usually smaller and more spacious than their full-sized counterparts, which means they take up significantly less space. Some of them will fit in your garage. This is a great choice for those who grow their own food or purchase it in bulk and then freeze it for later use.
Some models include an extra basket or two in the top to keep bags of frozen peas or homemade ice lollies upright and prevent smaller or frequently used foods from getting lost in the bottom of the freezer. These are a great way to store any bags of frozen baguettes, bread, as well as other items.
The most affordable freezers are usually under PS150 and will sit under your kitchen sink, or in a utility room, while bigger chest designs may cost more than PS1000. The Bush BECF99L comes with an elegant black case that has a front drain port for defrosting to make it easier. This model is shallower than a lot of its rivals however, it offers a storage capacity of 100 litres. It can accommodate three bags of food items.
Energy efficiency
A chest freezer can make mealtimes easier for families who do a lot of batch cooking or wish to avoid food waste. It can also cut down on trips to the supermarket particularly if you are growing your own vegetables and fruits. Vincent Finazzo of Riverwards Produce in Philadelphia says it's ideal for storing excess produce and also for making microwaveable meals.
Chest freezers are usually very well insulated, meaning they don't lose any of their cold air when the door is opened, as is the case with fridge and freezer doors. They are also energy efficient, especially if you choose one with low-frost technology. Low frost models need less defrosting and can save you electricity costs.
A lot of chest freezers have features that can boost their efficiency even further. Be sure to look for a power-outage guarantee, which means that the unit will stay frozen in the event of a power interruption or a high temperature alarm or light that warns you when the temperature inside is rising.
It's worth checking a model's annual energy consumption in kWh as this can give you an idea of the amount it will cost to run. This figure is typically found in the manual or energy label. Some freezers come with an storage basket which clips to the top, to prevent small items from being lost in the chaos beneath.
Noise
This Bosch integrated model is just the right amount of space to be inconspicuous. It is ideal for motorhomes and caravans, as well as kitchenettes, and student accommodation. Its capacity is 100 litres, which is enough to store three shopping bags. chest freezer for outbuilding is also energy efficient and has an A+ rating which means it doesn't cost too much to operate. It can also keep food frozen even when there's no power for up to 30 hours, which makes it useful as a backup freezer in case there is a power blackout.
It is quiet and has a simple, minimalist design. It is ideal for those who do not want to be interrupted by their freezer while working in the kitchen or living room. It comes with a useful internal light and comes with storage baskets for easy organisation.
Baskets for storage
Since chest freezers comprise one large space that can be difficult to organise, look for models with wire storage baskets that can clip over the edge. They can elevate common items like frozen vegetables and chopped onions from the potentially chaotic mess below. They are also useful for items such as open packets, oven chips, or frozen vegetables that need to be kept in a straight position.
Another useful feature that a lot of customers love is a high temperature alarm or light. This will notify you if the freezer has become too warm due to cleaning, defrosting, or the introduction of a large number of non-frozen food items. This is a critical security feature, especially if you plan on using the mini chest freezer outdoors or in the garage.
Despite its relatively small size, this Bush model offers plenty of freezer space at a moderate price. It's perfect for storing summer ice creams or stews cooked in bulk and can be put in a garage or an outbuilding if you want to. It's also easy to get into thanks to the lid's counterbalanced design that will not shut your head while you search through it.
Chest freezers are notorious for the accumulation of food waste and, if not properly organized, it's easy for people to forget what's in them. But, there are plenty of ways to make your small chest freezer easier to use and less prone to waste. If it's a list on a magnet, or an extensive inventory sheet for your freezer (there's an example here), the right organising system will ensure that your mini-chest freezer is running smoothly.