Why Buy a Mini Chest Freezer?
A chest freezer is a great option when you want to store frozen bargains and you require extra freezer space. They are typically located in garages or outbuildings. They let you benefit from the price reductions offered by supermarkets.
Currys own brand is a great value for the money. black chest freezers Frydge offers a lot of storage (around five bags) and an A+ rating on energy efficiency, so it's affordable to run. It also comes with a counterbalanced top which makes it easier to sort through food items.
Capacity
If you're limited in space than you need for a tall freezer but still want to stockpile enough summer ice cream or batch-cooked winter stews, a compact chest model is the ideal choice. These smaller designs are often shorter and wider than their full-sized counterparts, which means they require less room. Some of them can even fit in your garage, making them a good option for those who cultivate their own food or who prefer to buy fresh produce in bulk and freeze it as quickly as possible.
Some models include a basket on top that helps keep bags of frozen peas, or homemade ice-lollies, upright. This keeps small or frequently used food from falling into the bottom of the refrigerator. They are also great for storing bags of baguettes or bread that have been frozen, as well as other items that you may be able to squeeze in.
The cheapest chest freezers can cost more than PS1000 and are typically placed under the kitchen sink or in an utility room. The Bush BECF99L comes in a stylish black case with a front drain port to make defrosting easier. It is smaller than its competition, but still comes with a capacity of 100 litres. It can accommodate three bags of food items.
Energy efficiency
A chest freezer can simplify mealtimes for households that have a tendency to do a lot of batch cooking or wish to reduce food waste. It can also reduce trips to the store especially if you're growing your own vegetables and fruits. It's a great way to store excess produce and making microwavable meals. Vincent Finazzo, owner of Philadelphia-based Riverwards Produce.
Chest freezers are usually extremely well insulated, which means they don't lose all of their cold air when the door is opened as could happen with fridge or freezer doors. They can also be very energy efficient, especially when you select one with low-frost technology. Low frost models will require less defrosting and will help save the cost of electric bills.
Many chest freezers come with features that increase their efficiency further. Look for a promise of power outage that states that the unit will remain frozen during an outage, and the alarm to warn you of high temperatures or warning light to alert you when the interior has risen.
It's important to check a model's annual energy consumption in kWh also, since this will 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 freezers have an accessory basket that can be attached to the top, in order to keep small items from getting lost in the chaos beneath.
Noise
This Bosch integrated model has just enough space to be inconspicuous. It is perfect for caravans and motorhomes as well as kitchenettes, and student accommodation. It has a capacity of around 100 litres which is enough to store three shopping bags, and is energy efficient and has an A+ rating so won't cost you too much to run. It can keep food frozen for up to 30 hours without power, which makes it a useful backup freezer during a blackout.
It's designed in a simple way and doesn't create lots of noise, which is perfect for those who don't want their fridge to disturb them while they're working in the living or kitchen. It comes with a handy interior lighting system and storage baskets to help you organize it.
Baskets for storage
Find models with storage baskets made of wire which clip onto the edge. These baskets will lift items that are commonplace, such as chopped and frozen vegetables off the chaotic mess below. They're also great for items that need to be kept upright, like open packets 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 is getting too hot due to cleaning, defrosting or introducing many non-frozen food items. This is a valuable safety feature, especially in the event that you plan to put your mini chest freezer in the garage or other outbuildings.
Despite its modest size and small footprint, this Bush model is still able to provide plenty of freezer space for your needs at a reasonable cost. It's ideal for storage of summer ice creams and stews that are cooked in batches, and it can even be used in a garage or an outbuilding if you want to. The lid with a counterbalanced design makes it easy to open and isn't likely to close when you work through.
Chest freezers are notorious for their food clogs and if they're not properly organized it's easy to lose track of the contents. There are many ways to make your chest freezer more accessible and less likely to waste food. A well-organized system that includes a simple magnet list or a detailed freezer inventory sheet (there is an example here), will ensure that your mini-chest freezer operates smoothly.