Learn About Chest Freezer For Outbuilding While You Work From The Comfort Of Your Home

Why Buy a Mini Chest Freezer?

If you love stockpiling bargains on sale and need extra freezer space, the chest freezer is the best option. Most often found in garages and outbuildings, they allow you to take advantage of discount prices at supermarkets.

Currys' own brand is a good value for money. It has plenty of storage (around five bags) and an A+ rating on energy efficiency, which means it's a bargain to run. It also has a counterbalanced top which makes it easier to sort through food items.

Capacity

A small chest freezer is the ideal option if you don't have the space for a taller freezer, but you still want to store enough ice cream in the summer months or stews in bulk in winter. These smaller designs are often shorter and wider than their full-sized counterparts, which means they require less space. Some can even fit in your garage and are a great option for those who are growing their own food or who like to buy fresh produce in bulk and freeze it as quickly as possible.

Certain models have an extra basket or two on top to keep bags of frozen peas or homemade ice lollies in a straight line and stop small or commonly used food items from being lost at the bottom of the freezer. They can be used to store any bags of frozen baguettes or bread, in addition to other things.

The cheapest freezers typically cost under PS150 and will sit under the kitchen sink or in a utility space, while bigger chest designs may cost more than PS1000. The Bush BECF99L comes in a stylish black case with an opening for drainage on the front to make defrosting simpler. The model is a more compact than its rivals, but it still has up 100 litres storage capacity and can hold up to three bags of shopping.

Energy efficiency

A chest freezer can make mealtimes more convenient for families that cook a lot of batch cooking or who want to minimize food waste. It can also make it easier to avoid trips to the supermarket especially if you're growing your own fruits and vegetables. Vincent Finazzo of Riverwards Produce in Philadelphia says it's great for storing excess produce and also for making microwaveable meals.

Chest freezers are generally 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 can also be very energy efficient, particularly when you choose one that has low-frost technology. Low frost models require less defrosting and will help save money on your electric bills.

Many chest freezers come with features that boost their efficiency even further. Look for a power outage guarantee, which means that the freezer will remain frozen in the event of a power outage or a high temperature alarm or light, which informs you when the interior temperature is rising.

It is worth looking up a model's annual energy consumption in kWh, also, since this will give you an idea of how much it will cost to run. It is usually found in the number in the manual, or on the freezer's energy label. Some freezers come with an accessory basket that can be attached to the top to keep small items from becoming lost in the mess beneath.

Noise

This Bosch integrated model is just enough space to not be a distraction. It is perfect for caravans and motorhomes, as well as kitchenettes, and student accommodations. Its capacity is 100 litres, which is enough to store three shopping bags. It is also energy efficient and has an A+ rating and won't be expensive to operate. It can also keep food items frozen even when power is not available for up to 30 days, which makes it useful as a backup freezer in case in the event of a blackout.

It is quiet and has a simple, minimalist design. This is perfect for those who don't want to be interrupted by their freezer while working in the kitchen or living room. It features a handy internal light and has storage baskets for easy organisation.

Baskets for storage

Since chest freezers comprise an entire space that can be challenging to organise, look for models that include wire storage baskets that can be hung over the rim. 142 litre chest freezer will keep ordinary items like frozen vegetables and chopped onions out of the potentially chaotic mess below. They're also helpful for items that must be kept upright like open bags of frozen beans or oven chips.

Another feature that many buyers appreciate is a high-temperature alarm or light. This will notify you when the freezer becomes too warm after cleaning or defrosting, or when you add a lot of non-frozen food. This is an important security feature, especially in the event that you plan to use your mini chest freezer outside or in the garage.

Despite its modest size it's a great Bush model offers plenty of freezer space at a budget-friendly price. It's perfect for storing summer ice creams, or stews cooked in batches and can be put in a garage or outbuilding when you'd like to. It's also easy to get into thanks to the lid's counterbalance that won't shut on your head while you search through it.

Chest freezers are notorious for accumulating food clutter and, if not properly organized, it's easy to overlook what's inside them. However, there are plenty of ways to make your small chest freezer easier to navigate and less prone to waste. A well-organized system that includes a simple magnet list or a more detailed freezer inventory sheet (there is an example here), will ensure that your mini-chest freezer is operating smoothly.