Why Buy a Mini Chest Freezer?
If you love stockpiling bargains that are freezable and need more freezer space, a chest freezer is ideal. They are typically located in garages or other outbuildings. They allow you to benefit from the price reductions offered by supermarkets.
Currys' own brand is a great value for money. It comes with a lot of storage (around five bags) and an A+ rating for energy efficiency, which means it's a bargain to run. It also features a counterbalanced, top which makes it easier to sort through food items.
Capacity
A compact chest freezer is the ideal option if you don't have the space to fit a larger freezer however, you want to keep enough ice cream in the summer months or stews in bulk in winter. These smaller models are typically larger and shorter than full-sized models, and therefore take up less space. Some of them can be tucked away in your garage. This is an ideal option for those who grow their own food or purchase it in bulk and then freeze it.
Some models have an additional basket that holds bags of frozen peas or homemade ice lollies, upright. This prevents small or often used food items from falling into the bottom of the refrigerator. They can also be useful for storing bags of baguettes or bread that have been frozen as well as other items that you may be able to fit in.
The cheapest chest freezers could cost more than PS1000 and are often placed under the kitchen sink or utility room. If you're looking for something that is more fashionable and stylish, the Bush BECF99L has a smart black case, and has a front drain port which makes defrosting simpler. The model is a little smaller than its competition but still comes with a capacity of 100 litres. It can store three bags of groceries.
Energy efficiency
A chest freezer can make mealtimes more convenient for families who have a tendency to do a lot of batch cooking or want to reduce food waste. It can also help reduce trips to the store particularly if you are growing your own fruit and vegetables. It's great for storing excess produce and also for making microwavable meals. Vincent Finazzo, owner of the Philadelphia-based Riverwards Produce.
They are usually well insulated. This means they don't lose as much cold air when they're opened as fridge and freezer doors could. And they can be incredibly energy efficient, especially if you opt for one that has low frost technology. Low frost models require less defrosting and will save the cost of electric bills.
Many chest freezers have features that make them more efficient. You should look for a guarantee of power outage that guarantees the freezer will not freeze during an outage, and a high temperature alarm or light to warn you when the temperature inside is rising.
It is worth looking up a model's annual energy website consumption in kWh in addition, because this will give you an idea of how much it costs to run. You'll find this figure in the instruction manual or on the freezer's energy label. Some freezers also come with a storage basket that clips over the top of the freezer, which prevents small items from becoming lost in the chaos below.
Noise
This Bosch integrated model has just the right amount of space to be inconspicuous. It is ideal for caravans and motorhomes as well as kitchenettes and student accommodation. It has a good capacity of around 100 litres, sufficient for three shopping bags, and is energy efficient and has an A+ rating which means it will not cost much to run. It can also keep food frozen even when there's no power for up to 30 days, which makes it useful as an emergency freezer in the event in the event of a blackout.
It's designed in a simple way and doesn't make a lot of noise, which is perfect for those who don't want their freezer to disturb their lives while working in the kitchen or living room. It comes with a handy interior lighting system and storage baskets to help you organize it.
Storage baskets
Look for models with baskets made of wire which clip onto the edge. These will elevate everyday items like frozen veg and chopped onions from the potentially chaotic mess below. They're also helpful for items that need to be stacked like open bags of frozen beans or oven chips.
An alarm that is activated at high temperatures is a further feature buyers love. It will notify you if the freezer is too warm after cleaning, defrosting or adding lots of non-frozen food items. This is an extremely useful security feature, particularly if you plan to keep your mini chest freezer in your garage or outbuildings.
Despite its modest size, this Bush model provides plenty of freezer space for a low price. It's ideal for storing summer ice-creams or stews cooked in batches in winter. You can also use it as a storage device in your garage or outside. The lid with a counterbalanced design makes it easy to open, and it's unlikely to close on you as you dig through.
Chest freezers are notorious for accumulating lots of food clutter. If they're not properly organized it can be easy to lose track of what they contain. There are a variety of ways to make your small chest freezer more accessible and less likely to waste food. The right organisation system that includes a simple magnet list or an elaborate freezer inventory sheet (there is an example here), will ensure that your mini-chest freezer operates smoothly.