Buying Guide for Chest Freezers

Chest freezers are perfect for long term bulk storage. If you have a large family, a chest freezer can make grocery shopping cheaper (as bulk buys are generally better value) and it can act as a backup to your main fridge to ensure you never run out of food. Buying food in bulk also means fewer trips to the supermarket, saving you time and hassle.

A chest freezer can also be a life saver for those times when friends drop in and you want to quickly serve up some tasty snacks like hot chips or party pies. You can also cook large meals ahead of time which can be frozen and used on nights when you don't have the energy to cook.

And if you love entertaining, a chest freezer will keep your party supplies on ice until they're needed. They're particularly good for storing large bags of ice which can be removed and put to use at the moment your first guest walks in the door.

Here are a few tips to make sure you get the right chest freezer for your needs:

Choosing the right size

Our chest freezers range in size from 150L up to around 700L.

Here is a loose guide to choosing the right fridge size for your household:

Bear in mind that the larger the freezer the more energy it will use. Not only does it cost money to run a half-empty freezer, it's not particularly good for the environment either. So choose carefully and make sure that you are purchasing the most appropriate size for your household.

Another factor you'll need to consider is where to place your new chest freezer. Although the kitchen is an obvious choice, you might not have the floor space for it – especially if it's one of the larger models. A rumpus room or spare room could be a good solution, so long as it is easy to access and allows enough room for venting (approximately 2cm from the wall).

Many people choose to place their chest freezer in the garage which has the added advantage of making transferring groceries from the car to the freezer extra easy. However if your garage isn't insulated your freezer will use more power to keep cool during summer.

As with any major purchase, make sure you measure the space where you'll be keeping your freezer before you making a decision. Don't forget to take into consideration access points as well – will it need to fit through a door or travel up a flight of stairs? And of course you should make sure there is a power point nearby.

Energy Efficiency

As a general rule, chest freezers are more energy efficient than upright freezers because less cold air escapes when the door is opened. However one disadvantage is that chest freezers need to be manually defrosted from time to time. Fortunately the defrosting process is made a lot easier by the drainage plug which is generally located at the base of the unit.

Like other whitegoods, Chest Freezers are labelled with an energy efficiency star rating. The more stars displayed, the more energy efficient the model.

And as mentioned, the larger the unit, the more energy it will use, so make sure you're getting the right size for your needs.

Other Features

Chest freezers have a limited number of features – there're not a lot to differentiate the brands. They generally feature at least one basket for the convenient storage of smaller items, but you may need more depending on your requirements.

Adjustable temperature controls are available on selected models, and if you are worried about security – particularly if you intend to bulk-buy high quality frozen goods – you may want to choose a model with a lock.

A lightweight lid is also an advantage, and an interior light will make it easier to find what you're looking for.

Please call us if you have any questions

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our customer service team. Call us on 1300 000 500.