A Quick Look At Buying And Using An Upright Freezer
If your refrigerator's freezer is always packed full, it could be time to buy a standalone freezer. You'll have much more storage space, and you'll be able to stock up on food when it's on sale. You have a choice between a chest freezer and an upright freezer. Here's why you might prefer an upright freezer and some tips for using one.
Why You Might Like An Upright Freezer Better
A chest freezer takes up a lot more room since it's much wider due to its shape like a chest. It can also be difficult to reach all the way to the bottom of the freezer if you're not very tall. Plus, your kids might have trouble getting food and treats from a chest freezer. However, one of the main drawbacks of a chest freezer is that it is harder to organize since everything is stacked on top of each other.
An upright freezer has shelves and bins so it can be organized just like a refrigerator. This makes it easy to find what you want to cook for supper and decreases the risk of forgetting about something until it's been in the freezer for too long.
Since a freezer that stands upright takes up less space, it can be put in a laundry room, basement, garage, or even your kitchen where you can squeeze it in where a chest freezer wouldn't fit.
How To Pick The Right Freezer
Upright freezers come in different sizes. Be sure to measure the space where you'll place the freezer and take the measurements with you when you shop for your new freezer. You want to make sure the one you choose will have enough space on the sides and top to fit where you want it to go.
Also, think about how you buy and store frozen food. A small freezer might be perfect for you so you can save money on the new appliance. However, if you buy a lot of meat at a time, you may need a large freezer, especially if you have a large family.
You may have a choice between a manual and automatic defrost setting on the freezer you buy. A manual defrost cycle requires that you remove all the food from your freezer. You'll want to understand the pros and cons of each type of defrost cycle and how often you'll need to defrost your freezer so you'll be happy with your choice.
How To Use Your Freezer
It's a good idea to create an inventory of food in your freezer. Look up common expiration dates for different kinds of meat, desserts, and vegetables. Mark the expiration date on the packages and on your inventory list. This makes it easy to find things without having to leave the door open too long. It also helps you use up older food first so you don't have to deal with freezer burn and wasted food.