Why Buy a Mini Chest Freezer?
A chest freezer is perfect when you want to store frozen items and need extra freezer space. Typically found in garages or outbuildings, they allow you to benefit from the price reductions at supermarkets.
This Currys own brand provides an adequate amount of storage (around five bags) for the price and is rated with an A+ energy rating so it's affordable to run. It also comes with a lid that is counterbalanced, making it easier to sort through food.
Capacity
A compact chest freezer is the ideal option if you don't have room to fit a larger freezer however, you want to keep enough ice cream in the summer months or stews in bulk during winter. These smaller models are typically shorter and wider than the full-sized models, and therefore are smaller and take up less space. Some of them can be tucked away in your garage. This is a great option for people who grow their own vegetables or buy in large quantities and then freeze it for later use.
Some models have a basket on top that keeps bags of frozen peas, or homemade ice-lollies, standing up. This helps prevent small, frequently used food items from being thrown to the bottom of the refrigerator. These are a great way to store spare bags of frozen baguettes, bread, as well as other items.
The cheapest freezers are usually under PS150 and can be found under your kitchen sink or in a utility room, while bigger chest designs can be more than PS1000. If you're looking for something more modern and stylish, the Bush BECF99L features a sleek black case, and has an opening for the drain on the front which makes defrosting simpler. This model is a little bit shallower than some of its rivals but offers up to 100 litres storage capacity and can accommodate three bags of shopping.
Energy efficiency
A chest freezer can simplify mealtimes for families that cook a lot of batch cooking or who want to minimize food waste. It can also make it easier to avoid trips to the store particularly if you're growing your fruit and vegetables. It's ideal for storing extra produce and making microwavable meals. Vincent Finazzo, owner of Riverwards Produce, a Philadelphia-based company. Riverwards Produce.
They are usually well-insulated. This means that they do not lose much cold air when they are opened as fridge and freezer doors could. They can also be energy efficient, especially if you choose one with low-frost technology. Low frost models require defrosting less frequently and will reduce your electricity bills.
Many chest freezers feature features that make them more efficient. Look for a power cut promise, which indicates that the unit will stay frozen even during a power loss and also a high-temperature warning or light that warns you if the temperature in the freezer has risen.
It's important to check a model's annual energy consumption in kWh too, as this will give you an idea of how much it costs to run. You can usually find this figure in the manual or on the freezer's energy label. Some freezers also come with the storage basket that clips over the top of the freezer to prevent small items from getting lost in the chaos below.
Noise
This Bosch integrated model is just enough space to be unobtrusive. It is ideal for caravans and motorhomes as also kitchenettes and student accommodation. It has a capacity of about 100 litres, which is enough for three bags of shopping, and it is energy efficient and has an A+ rating, so it will not cost a lot to run. It can keep food frozen for up to 30 hours without power, making it a useful backup freezer in the event of a blackout.
It is quiet and has a simple, minimalist design. It is ideal for those who do not want to be disturbed by their freezer while working in the living room or kitchen. It has a convenient interior lighting and storage baskets to help you organize it.
Storage baskets
Since chest freezers are one big space that is difficult here to organize, look for models that have wire storage baskets that be clipped over the edge. These baskets can lift everyday items such as chopped and frozen vegetables off the chaotic mess below. They can also be useful for items like open packets of oven chips, or frozen vegetables that need to be kept up to the ceiling.
Another useful feature that a lot of customers appreciate is a high-temperature alarm or light. This will notify you if the freezer has become too hot due to cleaning, defrosting or introducing many non-frozen food items. This is a crucial safety feature, particularly if you plan on using your mini freezer outside or in the garage.
This Bush model offers plenty of freezer space for an affordable price, despite its tiny size. It is perfect for storing summer ice-creams or batch-cooked stews in winter. You can also use it as a storage unit in your garage or outbuilding. The counterbalanced lid makes it easy to open and is unlikely to shut completely as you dig through.
Chest freezers can be notorious for accumulating lots of food waste. If they are not properly organized it can be easy to lose track of the contents. But, there are plenty of ways to make a small chest freezer more manageable and less prone to wasting. Whether it's a simple list on a poster or an extensive freezer inventory sheet (there's an example here) The best organising system will ensure that your mini-chest freezer functions smoothly.