Purchasing a separate freezer can be a smart investment, as it allows you to save money by buying in bulk or storing the foods you grown in your garden. Still, it's a major purchase and you need to do your research before handing over your credit card. Know what you're looking for ahead of time and you won't make any mistakes you'll regret later.
Getting Started
Before you start shopping for your freezer, you need to consider your true needs. Freezers come in different sizes, but bigger isn't always better. Ideally, you'll want your freezer to be almost completely full, which will make the best use of the energy. A half-empty freezer uses more energy to maintain the temperature. If you have a large family, and frequently purchase frozen items in bulk, then a large freezer will probably suit your needs. However, if you're just looking to store fruits and vegetables from your garden to save money throughout the winter months, a smaller freezer may do the trick. You'll also want to consider where you'll place the extra freezer. Many people store it in the basement, the garage, an enclosed porch or a mudroom. Some freezers take up more space than others, so you'll want to make sure that the freezer you buy will fit in the space you have available. Additionally, the width of some freezers makes it difficult to fit though doorways. Accurate measurements are a must.
Types
You'll have two major types of freezers to choose from. The first is a chest freezer. This is a wide freezer that opens from the top. This style is the most energy-efficient and it makes it easy to store oddly shaped items, like a large turkey or ice cream cake. It can also hold more food per square foot on the inside. The downside to a chest freezer, though, is that foods on the bottom are difficult to reach and it's easy to forget about them, losing them in the shuffle. You may forget about them, only finding them past the expiration date. The other type of freezer is an upright freezer. This looks more like a traditional refrigerator, with a single or double door that opens out. All of your foods are easily visible, and you won't have to dig to get something out. You can usually rearrange the shelves on the inside to better organize your foods, and there are typically shelves on the doors for easy access. An upright freezer will take up less floor space, but often comes with a higher price tag.
Features
Most freezers will come with a light that turns on when you open the door, and many will have a light indicating that the freezer is on, so that you waste energy by opening the door to check that it's working. You'll also want to check if the freezer has an automatic or manual defrost. An automatic defrost setting might be more convenient and should prevent freezer burn, but it can use more energy. Some freezers have additional freezing features, such as a "fast freeze" feature that quickly freezes your foods, or a "soft freeze" feature that keeps your ice cream slightly soft. Other features include the EnergyStar rating that proves energy efficiency, easy-to-clean interiors or exteriors, ice making capacity and an alarm that lets you know if the interior gets warm. No matter which type of freezer you buy, you'll want to pay attention to the amount of time it can keep food safe in the event of a power outage. Keep in mind that when you open the door to the freezer during the outage, some of the cold will escape, which will shorten the time that the food will be safe. If food stays warm for too long, you'll have to throw it out.
Brands
Look to many of the brand names that you already recognize in the appliance world. GE, Frigidaire, Kenmore, Whirlpool and Haier. These manufacturers often also produces brands sold under different names as well, so you don't necessarily need to worry about purchasing a brand you've never heard of. Compare your options and make the smartest purchase for your family, but consider purchasing the warranty and service plan that goes along with the freezer.
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