Why Buy a Mini Chest Freezer?
If you love to accumulate bargains that you can freeze and require more freezer space, a chest freezer is ideal. They are often located in outbuildings or garages. They allow you to benefit from supermarket price reductions.
Currys' own brand is a good value for the money. It offers a lot of storage (around five bags) and an A+ rating for energy efficiency, so it's a bargain to run. It also has a counterbalanced top which makes it easier to separate food.
Capacity
If you're limited in space than what you require for a tall freezer but still need to stockpile enough summer ice cream or batch-cooked winter stews A compact chest is the ideal choice. These smaller models are typically smaller and more spacious than their full-sized counterparts which means they take up significantly less space. They can even fit into your garage, making them a good option for those who grow their own food or who prefer to purchase fresh produce in bulk and freeze it as quickly as possible.
Some models have one or two baskets on top to keep bags of frozen peas, or homemade ice lollies upright and prevent small or often used food items from getting lost in the bottom of the freezer. They are also useful to store bags of baguettes or frozen bread as well as any other items you might be able to squeeze in.
The cheapest chest freezers may cost more than PS1000 and are typically placed under the kitchen sink or in the utility room. If you're looking for something more modern and stylish, the Bush BECF99L comes with a stylish black case, and has a front drain port that makes defrosting much easier. It is smaller than its competition, but still 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 households that do a lot of batch cooking or who want to reduce food waste. It can also cut down on trips to the market especially if you're growing your own fruits and veggies. Vincent Finazzo of Riverwards Produce in Philadelphia says it's ideal for storing excess produce and also for making microwave-friendly meals.
Chest freezers are generally well-insulated. This means that they do not lose much cold air when they're opened, as refrigerator and freezer doors could. They are also energy efficient, especially when you choose one that has low-frost technology. Low frost models require defrosting less frequently, and can save you money on your electric bills.
Many chest freezers have features that make them even more efficient. Look for a power cut guarantee, which guarantees that the freezer will remain frozen even during a power loss, and a high-temperature alarm or light that warns you when the temperature of the interior has risen.
You should also check the annual consumption of energy in kWh. This will give you a clear idea of the cost it will take to run. You can usually find this figure in the manual or on the freezer's energy label. Some freezers come with a basket for storage that clips onto the top to keep small items from being lost in the chaos beneath.
Noise
This Bosch integrated model is an excellent choice for caravans and motorhomes as well as student accommodation as it offers just enough room to fit unobtrusively. Its capacity is 100 litres which is sufficient to store three shopping bags. It is also energy efficient and is rated A+ which means it doesn't cost too much to operate. It can keep food frozen for up to 30 hours without power, making it a great backup freezer during a blackout.
It's simple in design and doesn't generate much noise, which is ideal for those who don't want their freezer to disturb them while they're working in the kitchen or living room. It features a handy internal light and includes storage baskets for easy organization.
Storage baskets
Find models with wire storage baskets that can be clipped over the rim. These baskets will keep ordinary items like frozen vegetables and chopped onions from the potential chaos below. These are also useful for items like open packets or oven chips, or frozen vegetables that need to be kept up to the ceiling.
Another useful feature that a lot of customers love is a high temperature alarm or light. This will alert you if the freezer has become too hot due to cleaning, defrosting or introducing many frozen foods that are not frozen. This is a valuable security feature, particularly if you plan to utilize your mini-chest freezer in your garage or other outbuildings.
This Bush model has plenty of freezer space for an affordable price, even with its small size. It's perfect for storing summer ice-creams and stews cooked in batches in winter. You can also use it as a storage space in your outbuilding or garage. The lid with a counterbalanced design makes it easy to open and is unlikely to close on chest freezers for outbuildings you as you dig through.
Chest freezers are notorious for accumulating food clutter and if not organised properly it's easy to overlook what's inside them. There are a lot of ways to make a smaller chest freezer more manageable and less likely to be a source of waste. You can make a list on a poster or an extensive inventory sheet for your freezer (there's an example here) A well-organized system will ensure that your chest freezer operates smoothly.