Buying a chest freezer - recommendations

[Piers Finlayson]

I'm going to need to buy an additional chest freezer soon, to fit large amounts of dead pig, and, inspired by the Miele/washing machine thread, wondered if those here had any recommendations.

As well as reliability and energy efficiency I'm also looking for one which can survive being left in an unheated outbuilding which does get below freezing. My existing (el cheapo, Zanussi-Electrolux) works fine there, but I know that it isn't technically rated for it. My understanding is that there's really only a problem on combined fridge/freezers, where cheaper units has a single thermostat somewhere which may detect it cold enough outside not to need to cool the fridge and it also decides not to cool the freezer bit.

Piers

[Tim W]

Piers Finlayson wibbled on Monday 14 December 2009 16:43

Not a chest freezer, but my 1995 Hotpoint Iced Diamond "normal" freezer is as quiet and as effective as the day I bought it, save for an internal door clip snapping.

Of course, that was 1995 - can't say anything about their current reputation.

Mine does have a cabinet heater built in to avoid condensation in cool environments.

[Phil L]

Mine's in an unheated outbuilding and you've got to watch out for condesation pooling on the top of the lid - it then pours down the back when you open it up. this is resolved by having a cloth in the vicinity

[John]

I think you will find that the heater you refer to is in fact the condenser which is built into a double skin outer casing.

[Tim W]

John wibbled on Monday 14 December 2009 18:18

No. Mine's an electric auxillary heater - there's a switch to disable it (the "economy" switch).

The condensor is round the back in the usual location ;->

[<me9]

I've recently got a Liebherr. So far so good. running costs far lower than the one it replaced. It's in the kitchen but I think it is rated as suitable for the garage.

[Bob Minchin]

The critical thing to consider when using a freezer in a cool location is the effect of external condensation. Even if the freezer is rated for such use, condensation can compromise the insulation by soaking into the foam and eventually turning the foam into a block of ice not only does this mean the insulation effectiveness is reduced but also the steel refigerant pipes buried next to the insulation corrode and the refrigerant leaks out. There is one type that reduces the problem. These don't have the conventional black radiator on the back but instead use the whole skin of the case to dissipate the waste heat. it is rare to get condensation on this design. The efficiency is slightly lower as a result but the machine lasts longer. I always put the freezer up on bricks and keep it a good few inches from any walls. This allows more air to circulate and reduce condensation.

Bob

[e-mail] wrote:

[chris French]

In message , Piers Finlayson writes

We have an Electrolux Premier Eco chest freezer, it spent at least 5 years in the unheated detached garage in our old house with no problems.

worked fine, no evidence of condensation on it (though presumably that has much to do with the environment it's in.)

[David WE Roberts]

Not quite what you asked, but I always assumed that chest freezers were more efficient than upright freezers because the door was on top so less 'cold' was lost when you opened the door.

However last time I looked upright freezers had better efficiency ratings than chest freezers.

So does it have to be a chest freezer? You may find a better option in an upright freezer.

HTH

Dave R

[Piers Finlayson]

Actually, an upright freezer would be just fine too - as you, I had assumed that chest freezers were more efficient (and probably cheaper too for the same size). It would also be nice to save the floor space with an upright.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[chris French]

In message , David WE Roberts writes

Well, just a quick gander around the web, there are plenty of both upright and chest freezers that are highly rated on the efficiency gradings (most of either type seem to be A+ nowadays.

However, a random sampling of a a couple suggests that the listed annual power consumption for chest freezers is a bit lower than for uprights.

Is the door opening factored into the energy ratings though. I suspect not?