About Chest Freezers

The chest freezer is one of a couple different types of freezers, yet it is probably the more common of the freezer options. A chest freezer is perhaps the best use of space, the most economical in terms of budget and electricity and quite user friendly.

Identification

Chest freezers are those that open up like a treasure chest, hence the name. Unlike upright freezers, chest freezers open on the top part of the unit and you look down onto the contents. Chest freezers usually look bigger than upright freezers that offer the same cubic feet.

Function

Chest freezers are made to hold larger quantities of frozen goods than your refrigerator freezer. Many chest freezers are able to reach temperatures that are far cooler than your freezer in your refrigerator, therefore keeping foods at a safer temperature for later use.

Features

Most chest freezers feature some type of shelving system, whether it is just wire baskets or shelves. The storage space is open for use and for your own interpretation and setup of the space. Many units have locks on them, while others have digital displays to provide information about internal temperature. More modern units also have alarms that will sound if the internal temperature rises above a specified level.

Size

Chest freezers range in size from 5 to 25 cubic feet of storage space. Size is one reason that these freezers are often overlooked, because they tend to take up more space than an upright with the same storage capacity. Mid-sized chest freezers are often the most difficult to find, because they are in high demand.

Benefits

The price point on the chest freezer is the biggest benefit of this type of unit, because you can purchase exactly what you need at an affordable price. Another selling point of these freezers is that every inch of space inside of it is usable, which is not the case with the upright units. In addition, chest freezers are able to hold their temperature easily because of side-wall insulation. Because they hold their temperature well, they do not require much energy, making them an economical choice. Chest freezers are also beneficial in areas that experience frequent power outages because of weather, as they will keep goods frozen for up to 3 days.