What kind of freezer to buy

Frost is something all freezers have to deal with, and it often pops up as you introduce moisture to the freezer by opening the door.

Recently, many brands have been increasing the amount of insulation in freezers so they can still serve you when the power goes out. This frost-free cubic-foot unit promises to keep your food cold for two days without power and has other features we love, like a light on the outside to let you know the unit is running.

A narrower upright freezer is a great small-space solution. This simple, small, and affordable freezer comes with easy-to-use wire shelves and uses manual defrosting, which means it has fewer moving parts and fewer opportunities to break. Jill Gould, founder of Butter Meat Co. Hood says many of her clients prefer a frost-free model like this one, which requires less effort.

One of the great benefits of a chest freezer is the vertical door. This one is similar to the one above, but is slightly larger and has a glass top. This style makes it doubly useful if you decide to open a convenience store. This one comes not via experts, but from our roundup of the best freezers on Amazon according to reviewers. The freezer should be kept in a cool location to avoid putting extra strain on its cooling unit.

A basement is ideal, as it is out of the reach of kids, also reduces the chances of opening the freezer multiple times daily. A garage location might be tricky. You need to consider the temperature swings between the seasons.

As an example, a good quality GE chest freezer can operate in an ambient condition from 0 F to F. However, it is not a good idea to test the limits on a regular basis as it impacts the longevity of your freezer.

How can I minimize freezer burn and frost? The safest way is to open the freezer less often. Label the items appropriately and keep an inventory of what's inside to avoid opening the freezer when it isn't necessary.

You also need to properly wrap your food to protect it from the elements. If you can, try to get a vacuum seal for your kitchen so you can target storing your favorites in an air-free packaging. How long can I keep my food frozen? This depends on the type of food stored. Typically, ground beef shouldn't be stored for more than 4 months. An entire chicken might last for up to 12 months, and hot dogs shouldn't exceed six weeks in the freezer.

We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to keep the door shut and not to make frequent visits inside your freezer. What happens to my food in the freezer when the power goes out? When the power goes out a good freezer, especially a manual defrost chest freezer, should keep your food frozen for at least 24hrs. You need to make sure not to open the door unless you really need something.

Keep in mind not all freezer models are created equally. Check your freezer manual for specifications for the individual units and more information. How long do freezers last? A freezer typically has an average lifespan of 14 to 17 years.

Metin Ozkuzey. This post was last modified on September 5, However, we regularly update our content as we test more products and new models are released. We also listen to the feedback of our customers and make changes to our product recommendations based on their experiences. So don't be surprised if you see some old comments below! Since reader comments contribute to the topic, we have decided not to delete them.

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A True refrigerator might sound new to you, but the brand is much more familiar than you might realize. True refrigerators keep food and drinks cool…. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. If it automatically defrosts, it may have a frost-free design or also be called self-defrosting. This means that coils within the freezer will heat up routinely to prevent any ice or frost from building up along the interior's walls.

In contrast, a model with manual defrosting will need to be unplugged when frost gets to be a quarter-inch thick. You will need to unload the items you have stored, chip away at the build-up, and drain out the unit.

Once it's drained, you can plug the freezer back in and re-organize your frozen goods. This type of freezer can be cheaper to buy and operate, but comes with more maintenance. If your freezer is garage-ready, it can withstand extreme, external temperatures.

It doesn't need to be installed within your home, where it may take up a great deal of space in your kitchen or basement. A garage-ready model can cost a bit more, but will keep things frozen whether your garage is 0 degrees or degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in a particularly cold or warm climate, or are hoping to install the freezer in a more flexible space, a garage-ready design is worth considering. Just keep in mind: it may cost more.

If your freezer has a reversible door, that means you can open it by swinging the door to the left or the right. This feature is particularly handy for households who don't have a lot of space for extra storage, or plan to install their freezer in a semi-cluttered area. The door usually has recessed handles, airtight seals on both edges, and a sleek design.

Just know this: the seals can become worn over time, so you may need to replace them for optimal frozen food storage. A safety lock secures your freezer, and prevents any unwanted entry.

And while it's not a necessary feature to have on a freezer, it is useful if you plan on storing your appliance in your garage, or have guests over often. The lock is paired with a physical key or key fob, and ensures that your goods are secure. Be sure to store the key or key fob in a safe and accessible location.

A quick freeze setting, which can also be called a "power freeze" setting, drops the set temperature of your freezer. It makes the internal environment as cold as possible, in order to quickly chill meat, fruit, or other goods that you just added. Typically, this setting can last for up to 50 hours at a time, and is a great feature to have if your model is convertible. It's also handy for households that want a worry and hands-free experience.

On average, freezers last 10 to 14 years. Typically, a freezer that manually defrosts lasts slightly longer than one that automatically defrosts. This is because there are less moving parts that can suffer wear and tear over time.

To increase the lifespan of your appliance, be sure to maintain it properly. Remove any ice build-up, install it in the correct location especially if it's not garage-ready , and make sure to not overfill or underfill the appliance as this can make the appliance work significantly harder. Frost builds up on the inner surfaces of your freezer because moisture from your fresh food attaches to the appliance's coils.

This process is sped up if your door isn't sealed tight, or your appliance's self-defrosting technology is unreliable and need repairs. The result will be frost and ice chunks that grow in size, until they've been chipped or drained away, and less storage space for your food.

To prevent a lot of frost from building up in your freezer, be sure to never leave the door open for long periods of time, and close it tightly when you're done. In addition, occasionally check the temperature of your freezer to ensure it's consistent and stable.

Typically, you don't want to fill a freezer—whether it's a chest, upright, or attached model—to the brim. You want to pack in your meats, fruits, and vegetables, but leave a little bit of space for the cold air to circulate. A half-empty freezer will use a lot of energy, and an overfilled one will exhaust its parts.

Try to find a happy medium, by filling the included storage bins and baskets, but not making it impossible to grab items for dinner with ease. For more, check out our guide on how to organize the freezer. This article was written and updated by Marisa Casciano , who is the large appliance expert for The Spruce. Throughout her career, she's researched the ins and outs of air purifiers, dishwashers, cooktops, and more in the home and lifestyle space.

Pro tip : When measuring a space for either type of freezer, be sure to add at least an inch to the width accommodate air flow around the unit.

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Chest or upright freezer? Chest freezers: Chest freezers have around 20 percent more usable space than a upright freezer.

The temperature in a chest freezer stays consistent because it doesn't have a self-defrost system.