Why Buy a Mini Chest Freezer?
If you are a fan of stockpiling bargains that you can freeze and require more freezer space, an upright freezer is a great option. They are often found in garages or outbuildings. They allow you to benefit from supermarket price reductions.
Currys' own brand is a good value for the money. It comes with a lot 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 separate food items.
Capacity
If you're limited in space than a large freezer, but wish to store enough summer ice cream or batch-cooked winter stews, a smaller chest is the ideal choice. These smaller designs are often shorter and wider than their larger counterparts, which means they take up less space. Some can even fit in your garage and are a great option for those who cultivate their own food or like to buy fresh produce in bulk and then freeze it as soon as possible.
Some models include one or two baskets in the top of the unit to keep bags of frozen peas, or homemade frozen lollies straight and prevent small or frequently used foods from getting lost at the bottom of the freezer. They are also great for storing spare bags of baguettes or frozen bread as well as any other items you might be able to put in.
The most affordable freezers are usually less than PS150 and can be placed in the kitchen sink or in a utility space, while bigger chest designs can be more than PS1000. If you're looking for something more stylish The Bush BECF99L has a smart black case and an open drain on the front that makes defrosting much easier. This model is a more compact than its rivals, but it still has up 100 litres of storage and can hold up to three bags worth of shopping.
Energy efficiency
A chest freezer makes mealtimes easier in households that cook in large quantities or want to cut down on food wastage. It can also make it easier to avoid trips to the grocery store particularly if you are growing your own fruit and vegetables. Vincent Finazzo of Riverwards Produce in Philadelphia says it's great for storing surplus produce and for cooking microwave-friendly meals.
Chest freezers are usually very well insulated, meaning they don't lose a lot of their cold air when the door is opened, as happens with fridge and freezer doors. They can also be extremely energy efficient, particularly if you choose a model that has low frost technology. Low frost models need less defrosting and can save you money on your electric bills.
A lot of chest freezers have features that boost their effectiveness even more. You should look for a power outage guarantee, which means that the unit will stay frozen in the event of a power outage or high-temperature alarm or light, which informs you when the interior temperature is rising.
It is also important to check the freezer's annual consumption of energy in kWh. This will give you a good estimate of the amount it costs to run. This figure is typically found in the manual or energy label. Some also feature an accessory basket that can be hung onto the top of the freezer, preventing small items from becoming lost in the chaos below.
Noise
This Bosch integrated model is a fantastic choice for caravans and motorhomes kitchenettes, student accommodation and even kitchenettes as it offers just enough space to fit in without causing a fuss. It has a capacity of 100 litres, which is more than enough to hold three shopping bags. It is also energy efficient and has an A+ rating and won't cost too much to operate. It also keeps food items frozen even when power is not available for up to 30 hours making it useful as a backup freezer in case of a blackout.
It is quiet and has a simple, minimalist design. It is ideal for those who don't want to be distracted by their freezer when working in the living room or kitchen. It also comes with an interior lighting and storage baskets to simplify the process of organizing.
Storage baskets
Since chest freezers consist of one huge space that can be challenging to organise, look for models that have wire storage baskets that can be clipped over the rim. These will elevate common items like frozen vegetables and chest freezer chopped onions away from the potential chaos below. They're also helpful for items that need to be stacked like open packs of frozen beans or oven chips.
Another feature that many customers love is a high temperature alarm or light. This will alert you if the freezer is getting too hot due to cleaning, defrosting or introducing lots of frozen foods that are not frozen. This is a very valuable security feature, particularly when you are planning to utilize your mini-chest freezer in your garage or outbuildings.
This Bush model is a good size and offers plenty of freezer space for a reasonable price, despite its small size. It's perfect for storing summer ice creams and stews that are cooked in batches and can be used in a garage or an outbuilding should you wish to. The lid is counterbalanced, making it easy to open and won't be likely to shut completely as you work through.
Chest freezers are notorious for the accumulation of food clutter. If not organized properly, it is easy to forget the contents. But, there are plenty of ways to make a small chest freezer easier to access and less prone to wasting. The best system of organization whether it's a basic magnet list or a detailed freezer inventory sheet (there is an example here) will ensure that your mini-chest freezer runs smoothly.