5 Must-Know Chest Freezer For Outbuilding-Practices You Need To Know For 2023

Why Buy a Mini Chest Freezer?

If you love to accumulate bargains on sale and need extra freezer space, you should consider a chest freezer. Often found in garages and outbuildings, they allow you to benefit from discount prices at supermarkets.

This Currys own brand offers ample storage (around five bags) for the price. It comes with an A+ energy rating, meaning it's affordable to run. It also has a counterbalanced top which makes it easier to organize food.

Capacity

A compact chest freezer is the best option when you don't have the space to install a taller freezer but still want to store enough ice cream for summer, or stews in large quantities in winter. These smaller models are usually smaller and wider than larger models, which means they consume less space. Some of them will fit in your garage. This is a great choice for those who cultivate their own produce or buy in bulk and then freeze it.

Some models have a basket on top that holds bags of frozen peas, or homemade ice-lollies, standing upright. This stops small or often used food items from falling into the bottom of the fridge. They can also be useful to store spare bags of baguettes and breads that are frozen, as well as other items that you may be able to put in.

The cheapest freezers are typically under PS150 and will sit under your kitchen sink or in a utility room with larger chest designs may cost more than PS1000. If you're seeking something a bit more elegant The Bush BECF99L has a smart black case, and has an open drain on the front that makes defrosting much easier. The model is a less deep than its competitors but still offers up to 100 litres of storage and can accommodate up to three bags of shopping.

chest freezer frost free uk Frydge can make mealtimes easier for families that are prone to batch cooking or who want to minimize food waste. It can also reduce trips to the grocery store particularly if you're growing your own fruit and vegetables. 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 extremely well insulated, which means they don't lose much of their cold air when the door is opened, as can happen with fridge and freezer doors. They are also extremely energy efficient, especially if you opt for one that has low frost technology. Low frost models will require less defrosting and will help save energy costs on your electric bill.

Many chest freezers come with features that increase their efficiency even more. Be sure to look for a power-outage guarantee, which guarantees that the freezer will remain frozen during a power cut or high-temperature alarm or light, which alerts you if the temperature in the freezer has increased.

It's worth examining a freezer's annual energy consumption in kWh as this can give you an idea of the amount it costs to run. You'll find this figure in the manual or on the freezer's energy label. Some also feature an accessory basket that can be hung onto the top of the freezer, which prevents small items from getting lost in the chaos below.

Noise

This Bosch integrated model has just the right amount of space to be unobtrusive. It is perfect for motorhomes and caravans, as well as kitchenettes and student accommodations. Its capacity is 100 litres which is sufficient to store three shopping bags. It is also energy efficient and has an A+ rating so it shouldn't be expensive to operate. It also keeps food items frozen even when power is not available for 30 hours, which makes it useful as a backup freezer in case of a power outage.

It is quiet and is simple and minimalist in its design. It is ideal for those who don't want to be disturbed by their freezer while working in the living room or kitchen. It comes with a useful internal light and has storage baskets for simple organization.

Storage baskets

Look for models with storage baskets made of wire which clip onto the rim. These will elevate everyday items such as frozen vegetables and chopped onions out of the potential chaos below. They can also be useful for items like open packets or oven chips, or frozen vegetables that need to be stored straight.

Another useful feature that a lot of buyers appreciate is a temperature alarm or light. This will notify you when the freezer is getting too warm due to cleaning, defrosting or introducing many non-frozen food items. This is a valuable security feature, particularly in the event that you plan to keep your mini chest freezer in the garage or outside buildings.

Despite its modest size and small footprint, this Bush model provides plenty of freezer space at a moderate cost. It's perfect for storing summer ice creams and stews cooked in bulk and can be used in an outbuilding or garage in the event that you wish to. It's also simple to get into due to the counterbalanced lid that won't shut on your head while you search through it.

Chest freezers are notorious for accumulating food clutter and if they're not organized properly, it's easy to forget what's in them. There are a variety of ways to make your tiny chest freezer more accessible and less likely to throw away food. The best system of organization, whether it's a simple magnet list or a more detailed freezer inventory sheet (there is an example here), will ensure that your mini-chest freezer runs smoothly.