What to consider when buying an upright freezer

Freezers are a standard feature in any kitchen, coming in all shapes and sizes. When the traditional refrigerator/freezer combo is not enough, an upright freezer may be the next step. This article covers some basics to consider when choosing an upright freezer for your home.

Getting started

Size Before looking at freezers, you need to know what size you need. Upright freezers can be short or tall, thin or wide. Measure the available space for your freezer so you know what size you can work with. Capacity How much capacity do you really need? It is important to choose the right capacity level not only so you have enough room, but also so that you do not have too much room. A full freezer is more energy-efficient than a half-empty one, which saves money on utility bills.

Shopping

Star rating The first thing to look at is the star rating. Each freezer gets a rating from one to four stars. The more stars the freezer has, the colder it is and the longer food can be stored. The majority of freezers do come with three or four stars. However, if you like to freeze fresh food, choose a four star freezer as they are the only ones which can do that safely. Energy-efficiency An energy efficiently label is shown on all freezers giving ratings from A to G, with A being the most energy-efficient. Energy-efficient means that they use less energy. By using less energy, they are better for the environment and better for your pocket by reducing your energy bills. Defrost Tall upright freezer models are harder to defrost because of their large capacity, and may need it done more often. To make owning an upright freezer easier, consider a frost-free model or an auto frost model. Frost-free
Frost-free freezers may be a bit pricier but they come with many benefits: · You do not have to worry about emptying, scraping, and mopping up water defrosting it yourself.
· Packages do not stick together, so it is easy to remove frozen items.
· Temperatures are regulated more effectively than other types
· Food freezes faster than other types also. Auto frost
An auto frost freezer automatically regulates temperatures to prevent frost build up, eliminating the need for frequent defrosting.

Other considerations

Test shelves and drawers to ensure they are easy to access, open, and close smoothly. Check out the interior lighting. Good lighting will make it easier to find things in a full freezer. Look at special features, such as an automatic ice-maker inside the freezer or ice dispenser on the door.