Chest freezer

Grillnugget

Hey all, I've got the need for a freezer and the go ahead from my wife. I don't need a large one and am trying to keep the cost and size down so I'm likely going with a 7cu.ft chest type. All that said, do you all have a brand that you can/would recommend? Seems they are sold everywhere by everyone, I've been trying to do my due diligence but it seems every Mfg. has a review of praise and worship and on the same page a review of hell and damnation. I'm just hoping to tap into some real world experience. Thanks!

NPHuskerFL

Yes! Hoshizaki, True, Delfield, Traulsen...

NPHuskerFL

Oops you want a low cost one. My bad )
If ya want reliability ^^^^

OmahaOne

Here is a quick video from Consumer Reports on buying a freezer. 

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/freezers/buying-guide.htm 

I've also attached a PDF file showing the top recommended chest freezers. It might be hard to follow but at least you have some models you can look up.

NPHuskerFL

My wife also gave me the nod that we can upgrade our vertical deep freezer to a frost free model. I'm pushing for a commercial unit. Give me a inch.... )

nolaegghead

Buy a commercial unit used.  Listen to NPHuskerFL.   You can cop out and buy a cheap consumer unit you'll replace it at least once and it has much less resale value.  Ok, unless you're under 50 buy the consumer model.

Dredger

We have a Maytag 18.1 cf upright and are looking at a 15.8 cf chest freezer just for buying 1/2 of a cow for beef. Pay attention to the warranties. Most companies say their warranty will be void if the freezer is kept in a garage or a basement. Maytag's warranty says putting the freezer in the garage or basement is just fine.

NPHuskerFL

Let's put this in perspective. A 15-18 c.i. freezer full of product (steaks, butts, briskets, bacon, sausage, etc). Do ya really wanna cheap out and risk product loss. Do commercial units fail? Yes. But, they are more reliable in keeping -10℉ and parts are for the most part universal and most of them have a out of temp alarm. There are some quality units with Maytag, Whirlpool etc but, they have a lot of proprietary parts also.
That being said commercial tend to be larger and much heavier. Check around I would guess price for a good quality residential unit will be comparable to a middle of the road commercial single phase 115v unit.

NPHuskerFL

If I had it my way I'd have a W.I.F & a small reach in freezer. But, I don't often get my way.

Terrebandit

I had a small Kenmore chest freezer and it still runs well after 30 years. I'm sure it's not as energy efficient as the new ones. Anyway, it's sitting in my garage right now because I recently bought an upright model (frigidaire) at Lowes on sale. The upright models are so much more convenient for organizing and finding things and rotating stock. I highly recommend them.

NPHuskerFL

@Terrebandit‌ yes, they are. Much easier to keep organized and can see everything w/out pulling product out to uncover something in the bottom of the heap.

minniemoh

The modern day entry level appliances are cheap and disposable in my opinion. I rushed out and bought a 7 cu ft GE chest from Home Depot when we bought a hog. 8 months later, we threw half of the hog away when the freezer died. It was replaced under warranty and I got $100 toward the $500 worth of meat that I had to throw away. I wish I had picked up one of the 30 yr old ones off craigslist - at least they're made of some solid parts. I just don't trust the replacement for $1000 worth of beef I have coming in a month or so. Not sure what I'm going to do.

NPHuskerFL

@minniemoh‌ you just solidified and validated my point. Spend $$$ now or spend it later. Double edge sword.

NPHuskerFL

Most of the big box store units have an Embraco Compressor (they're crap). But, what do I know. Lol

Grillnugget

Thanks guys. That's some real food for thought