Top 14 Best Garage Ready Chest Freezer In 2024
Peter Fonda Apr 20, 2024 6:55 AM
Do you intend to place the freezer in a basement, shed, or utility room? In such case, you should know that not all freezers can withstand temperatures low enough to be stored in a garage, shed, or utility room.
Most refrigerators and freezers have a temperature window where they function at peak efficiency. The climate class rating of a freezer effectively defines the upper and lower limits of the temperature range in which it will function.
Reduced efficiency and higher vulnerability to component breakage are also possible at ambient temperatures below this threshold. If you want to buy a freezer and store it in the garage, you should look for one that can function well even if the temperature drops below freezing.
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Size
Since the door to a chest freezer is on the top, rather than the side, it takes up more space than a standard fridge. Think about the intended purpose of the freezer and the available space when deciding on a suitable size. Bear in mind that the interior capacity will likely be more than that of your standard freezer, so you may only want a fraction of the space you anticipate.
Hunters who intend to freeze their kills may require a larger freezer than those who don't. Some people don't need a lot of room in the freezer because they're only interested in preserving certain ingredients or little portions of meals.
Location
It's not a good idea to wedge a chest freezer into a tight space, says Finazzo. "You want some breathing room, especially where the intake is where the compressor lives."
It's crucial to think about the temperature range of the region where the chest freezer will be kept, as these freezers are often shoved into a dark corner of the basement or garage. Not every freezer can withstand the high heat found in some environments, such as garages. You should select a freezer that can withstand higher temperatures if you intend to keep it in a garage or other warm location.
Organization
A chest freezer can easily become a dumping ground for random bags and containers. Finazzo suggests putting things in the freezer in baskets and naming them all to make things easier to manage.
Finazzo advises, "Try to avoid putting anything warm in your chest freezer," If you want to freeze soup that you made, for example, refrigerate it for a few hours before placing it in the freezer. Condensation forms when you put warm items in the freezer, and the temperature of the surrounding foods is altered, both of which can have an adverse effect on their quality.
Blueberries and other perishables best stored at room temperature can be protected from mold by placing them on a tray and allowing as much air as possible to circulate around them, as advised by Finazzo. When they are completely frozen, place them in a sealed bag or container. Doing so is more advantageous for the freezer since it prevents the blueberries (or whatever else you're storing) from becoming a solid block of frozen food.
Manual vs. Automatic Defrosting
When ice and frost accumulate within your chest freezer, you'll need to manually defrost it. When the accumulation reaches a thickness of a quarter of an inch, you will need to disconnect your model, remove all of the components, and chip away at the ice and frost. Once the ice and frost have melted, you can drain the system and reconnect it to power.
Whether your chest freezer has an automated defrost feature, or if it is frost-free or self-defrosting, its inside coils will occasionally heat up and prevent frost from forming. This choice is more costly to maintain and acquire initially, but it is more convenient for the user.
Safety Lock
If your chest freezer includes a safety lock, the food within is protected from unauthorized access. Having this option is especially helpful if you routinely host parties or intend on putting your freezer in a garage. You may rest easy knowing that no one will be able to unlock the appliance and use it without your permission. The safety lock will likely have a physical key or key fob that you should keep in a secure but easily accessible location.
Garage-Ready Design
If you need more storage space but don't have room in your kitchen, a chest freezer built for the garage is the way to go. This style of construction guarantees that the appliance will function effectively regardless of how hot or cold the outside environment is. Therefore, your items will be protected from deterioration and will maintain a consistent interior temperature. It's vital to look for a garage-ready freezer because not all of them have this feature.
Energy Efficiency
The Energy Star label should always be your first stop when shopping for energy-efficient products. This will allow you to make fair comparisons between the various methods of producing cold air and their respective energy requirements. It's important to keep in mind that such ratings are derived under ideal circumstances. Thus, you shouldn't count on getting the efficiency as stated on that Energy Star label if you have a large family that frequently opens the freezer door.
Since chest freezers often have a tighter seal around the freezer door and rarely have self-defrosting functions, they tend to be more energy efficient. After that comes chest freezers, then upright freezers, and finally portable freezers.
Keep the freezer door closed as much as possible and load it up with frozen goods; the less air that has to circulate, the less strain on the compressor, and the more energy efficient your freezer will be.
Temperature Control
Quite a few chest freezers have precise temperature regulation. There are fewer frost-free chest freezer models on the market, thus this may be due to the tighter seal on the freezer door (the fact that it opens from the top allows gravity to do its work). However, many chest freezers simply have a couple of temperature settings, with "high" and "low" being the most common. A number of upright freezers and certain drawer freezers provide for finer control.
Due to its portability and versatility, many portable freezers are of the "plug-and-play" variety, with only one cold air temperature setting. When deciding on the best freezer, give some thought to how important it is to be able to adjust the temperature.
Blackout Recovery (Power Outage Assurance)
This choice may be the difference between being able to eat safely and having to throw away perishables if you live in an area prone to power outages. However, not all freezers are created equal; in particular, chest freezers excel at keeping frozen temperatures steady, and may be able to do so for several days.
The temperature in any freezer you buy should stay steady for at least a few hours. Foods stored in a smaller freezer may thaw more quickly in the event of a power outage. If you want to make sure your frozen items stay cold during an outage, make sure to keep the freezer door closed and check the temperature when the power comes back on.
How do I organize a chest freezer?
Use the baskets or dividers provided to maximize the space in your chest freezer. Put goods of a similar nature in separate baskets. Make it simple to find what you're looking for by stacking baskets and containers. Additionally, put the oldest meats, fruits, and veggies on top so you may utilize them first and label them with a "best by" date. See our handy how-to manual for more information on arranging a freezer.
How much energy does a chest freezer use?
In comparison to their upright counterparts, chest freezers often consume less power. This is because their insulation is so good that it can even keep your food cold in the event of a power loss. A chest freezer will consume 250 kWh annually on average, whereas an upright freezer can consume up to nearly 500 kWh. This figure could drop slightly if you don't overload your freezer and give it regular maintenance.
Can I Store My Chest Freezer In Other Areas Of My Home?
As long as the room temperature is above the freezing point, you may put your freezer just about anyplace.
In case you'd rather not keep your chest freezer in the garage, the basement is a perfect option.
Is A Chest Freezer Worth It?
The correct response to this inquiry is conditional on the specifics of your case. A chest freezer is a great option if you need an additional freezer because your first one is at capacity.
Compared to regular freezers, chest freezers have a more consistent temperature, making them a perfect option. Also, with a more stable temperature, your food will retain its flavor and nutritional value for longer.
Storing food for extended periods of time in a chest freezer is another benefit, as it eliminates the need to go grocery shopping every week.
In addition, chest freezers are practically required for hunters, as it is unlikely that half of a deer can be frozen in a standard household appliance.
You now have our recommendations for the top chest freezers suitable for use in a garage.
If you want to get the most out of your chest freezer, though, it's important to remember that it doesn't matter which model you pick from our selection. Although your chest freezer may be meant for use in a garage, that doesn't imply it doesn't require maintenance.
Proper maintenance is essential if you want your freezer to function at peak efficiency and last as long as possible. If you want to know how to maintain your freezer, check the instructions that came with it.
