When buying a freezer you need to measure your space. Which type of freezer are you interested in, an upright or a chest freezer? Chest freezers are wider and less expensive. Since there are no baskets or shelves, chest freezers can handle larger capacities of food. If you buy large quantities of meat, vegetables, etc. and keep them stored for long periods of time, a chest freezer is usually the way to go. The size of your household and your family’s food and eating habits, should be taken into consideration as well. Upright freezers take up less floor space and are easier to organize than a chest freezer. Bulky items, however, are harder to fit in an upright freezer. Chest freezers are better insulated due to the design and weight of the doors which help secure their seal.
Choosing the features appropriate to your needs and budget is another consideration. For families with young children, a child lock feature is a must have. A power light inside makes it easy to see and search for food items. A power light on the outside lets you know your freezer is working. A temperature alarm system feature will alert you when temperatures inside the freezer reach an unsafe level. Magnetic door gaskets will ensure a tight seal, keeping temperature levels consistent. Temperature controls allow you to manually adjust the freezer’s thermostat to bring it to the correct temperature(0 degrees F) if default setting is too warm or cold. Make sure there is easy access to the controls which allow you to check and change the temperature. You do not want to have to move foods around to get to them. You can opt for automatic defrost or choose manual defrost. Manual defrost models should have a drain which allows you to empty the water into a pan. Who needs the mess of cleaning up water on the floor anyway?
For the most efficient operation of your freezer, keep it near filled! Just make sure to leave some room for air to circulate.
