Choosing a home freezer

A common question that bothers most families is how to chose a home freezer. What a freezer requires is care and a continuous supply of electricity. But lots of thought is required before venturing out to buy one.

Firstly, measure the level space that is available. The freezer requires surrounding space for venting. Then decide between an upright or a chest freezer. The upright ones have more features. The 'Energy Guide' tag of the freezer should be checked. A low number indicates low energy consumption per year. You may go for frost free freezer but do check its capacity. Ensure that the arrangement of baskets and trays is not inconvenient and cumbersome. Note carefully the warranty and the after sale services offered. Size of a home freezer would depend on the size of the family. Often people impulsively go for large freezers thinking that they might require it for stocking large amount when offered at a discount. But in reality most of the time the freezer remains half empty. Moreover frozen food has a certain shelf life beyond which it tends to get dehydrated. This reduces both taste and nutritional value. Eventually we discard them. A waste of money, energy and time!

First decide how much frozen food your family consumes in six weeks, as it is prudent to consume frozen food within that period. Then calculate how much space would those items require. Then will tell you the capacity of freezer required by you.

Upright Freezers would definitely add more to your electricity bill than a chest freezer. Every time an upright freezer is opened the cool air spills out but when we lift the lid of a chest the cold air remains trapped inside. The electric consumption for frost-free upright freezers is more than that of chest freezers. The chest types would require total shutting down and manual defrosting at least once annually.

If cost is really a problem then shutting down the freezer in those months when fresh garden food is readily available can reduce it. There is an ongoing debate about filling up the unused racks of large freezers with blankets, tins of water and other insulating materials to lower electrical consumption. A right sized freezer would eliminate the need for such practices.

Today freezers come with various features like touch buttons, alarms, temperature panel, rapid freeze etc. However added features would mean added cost. Haier has launched a chest freezer with an additional bottom drawer for short-term storage. It allows quick and easy access to frequently used material.

Based on family needs you should buy your freezer. Proper discussion and pondering would relieve you of the problem of how to choose a home freezer.