Why Buy a Mini Chest Freezer?

A chest freezer is ideal if you like to store up frozen bargains and need extra freezer space. Most often found in garages and outbuildings, they enable you to take advantage of the price reductions at supermarkets.

This Currys own brand provides a decent amount of storage (around 5 bags) for the price. It also it has an A+ energy rating so it's a low-cost option to run. It also has a counterbalanced top, which makes it easier to separate food.

Capacity

When you have less space than you need for a tall freezer, but need to stockpile enough summer ice cream or stews that are cooked in batches A compact chest is the ideal choice. These smaller models are usually shorter and wider than their full-sized counterparts, which means they require less space. Some of them can fit in your garage. This is a great choice for those who grow their own produce or buy in large quantities and then freeze it for later use.

Certain models come with an additional basket which keeps bags of frozen peas or homemade ice lollies, upright. This keeps small or often used food items from being thrown to the bottom of the refrigerator. They can also be handy to store spare bags of baguettes and breads that are frozen as well as any other items you might be able to squeeze in.

The cheapest freezers are typically under PS150 and can be placed under your kitchen sink or in a utility space as larger chests can be more than PS1000. If you're looking for something more stylish The Bush BECF99L comes with a stylish black case and comes with an open drain on the front that makes defrosting much easier. The model is a bit shallower than some of its competitors but still offers up to 100 litres storage capacity and can hold up to three bags of shopping.

Energy efficiency

A chest freezer can simplify mealtimes for families that are prone to batch cooking or want to cut down on food waste. It can also make it easier to avoid trips to the supermarket particularly if you are growing your own fruit and vegetables. Vincent Finazzo of Riverwards Produce in Philadelphia says it's ideal for storing excess produce and for cooking microwave-friendly meals.

They are usually well-insulated. This means that they don't lose much cold air when they're opened as fridge and freezer doors could. They can also be energy efficient, particularly if you choose one with low-frost technology. Low frost models need to be defrosted less frequently, and can save you money on electric bill.

Many chest freezers come with features that improve their efficiency even more. Look for a promise of power outage that states that the unit will remain frozen during an outage, and an alarm that warns you of rising temperatures or light to warn you when the temperature inside has increased.

It's worth checking a model's annual energy consumption in kWh, in addition, because this will provide you with an idea of how much it costs to run. This figure is usually found in the manual or energy label. Some freezers come with a basket for storage that can be attached to the top of the freezer, to stop small items from being lost in the chaos underneath.

Noise

This Bosch integrated model has just the right amount of space to be unobtrusive. It is perfect for motorhomes and caravans, as also kitchenettes and student accommodation. It has a capacity of 100 litres which is enough to store three shopping bags. It is also energy efficient and has an A+ rating which means it doesn't cost much to operate. It can keep food frozen for up to 30 days without power, which makes it a handy backup freezer during a blackout.

It's designed in a simple way and doesn't make much noise, which is great for those who do not want their freezer to disturb them when they're working in the kitchen or living room. It comes with a useful interior light and storage baskets to make it easy to organise.

Baskets for storage

Find models with storage baskets made of wire which clip onto the rim. These will elevate everyday items like frozen veg and chopped onions from the potentially chaotic mess below. They can also be useful for items such as open packets or oven chips, or frozen vegetables that require to be kept up to the ceiling.

An alarm that is activated at high temperatures is a further feature buyers appreciate. This will notify you when the freezer has become too warm due to cleaning, defrosting, or introducing lots of frozen foods that are not frozen. This is a critical safety feature, particularly when you plan to use the mini chest freezer outdoors or in the garage.

This Bush model provides plenty of freezer space at an affordable price, despite its tiny size. It's ideal for storing summer ice Cream Chest freezer creams and stews cooked in bulk, and it can even be put in an outbuilding or garage should you wish to. It's also easy to get into due to the lid's counterbalance that won't shut on your head as you rummage through it.

Chest freezers are notorious for accumulating food debris and if they're not properly organized it's easy for people to forget what's in them. There are plenty of ways to make a tiny chest freezer easier to access and less likely to be a source of waste. The right organisation system is essential, whether it's a simple magnet list or an elaborate freezer inventory sheet (there is an example here) will ensure that your chest freezer runs smoothly.