About Frost Free Freezers
Frost free freezers were invented as a solution to the problems created by the thick frost that tends to develop around the inside of most regular freezers. Because of this frost, regular freezers have a decreased storage capacity. Also, when it's time to unplug the freezer, the frost melts and drips everywhere. While frost free freezers seem like a smart alternative to regular freezers, there are a few considerations you must keep in mind when buying one.
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Why Frost-Free Freezers?
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Regular freezers are sometimes problematic because frost can build up around the inside surfaces. When this happens, there is less storage room in the freezer. So manufacturers have designed frost free freezers to resolve this problem.
Because frost free freezers don't have frost build up, you have more space to store food items. Also, in the case of a power outage or an instance when you have to disconnect the freezer, the frost won't melt and create a puddle in your kitchen or garage.
How They Work
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Regular freezers build up frost because water vapors form around the coils, liquify and immediately freeze. To stop the coils from freezing over, frost free freezers have been designed with heated coils. At intervals of six hours or more the coils heat up and melt any ice build up. Then, once the freezer is clear of ice, the coils turn off again so that the freezer can continue to cool the food items inside of the freezer.
Features to Consider
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If you're looking for a frost free freezer there are a few features that you should consider. For one, you have to decide how large you want your freezer to be. Frost free freezers come in a wide variety of sizes, so it's important to decide how this unit will be used and where it will be placed in your home. A larger or taller freezer is best for people who need an extra freezer to place in their garage or den for back up storage, while a smaller or shorter freezer may be ideal for a college student who eats frozen TV dinners for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The two main styles of frost free freezers are chest and upright. Chest style freezers usually come up to the hip of a person of average height, cost less and are more energy efficient, while uprights are about as tall as your regular refrigerator/freezer combo and usually cost more across the board.
Finally, frost free freezers are set up with timers to heat the coils. So find out what timer settings from which you will be able to choose. Also, keep in mind that large frost free freezers sometimes do not have timers and require a manual defrosting.
Relative Cost
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Frost free freezers are usually more expensive to buy and to maintain. Additional energy is constantly being used by the heated coils. So if you're trying to save money on your electric bills or save the environment, a frost free freezer is not for you. However, if you still need the additional space and are looking to keep your bills down while maximizing your storage space, consider buying a small chest frost free freezer. Many times, people overestimate the amount of storage space they really need and end up with a freezer full of foods that they never even eat.
Take Your Time Deciding
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Take your time when deciding whether you really need a frost free freezer. In short, if you need maximum storage capacity and don't mind the higher bills and energy usage over time, this could be an ideal choice.
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