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Freezers

YukonRon
YukonRon Posts: 17,261
in EggHead Forum
Upright or Chest?
I am getting a second freezer. Anyone with advise on a dependable make and model?
"Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

XL and MM
Louisville, Kentucky
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Comments

  • annjamaican
    annjamaican Posts: 152
    edited January 2016
    I have a 20 CF  upright that I got at a Costco closeout. Works brilliantly and cost less that 1/2 price. All branding was removed but it's been here for at least 7 years. I wanted an upright as they are easier to organize. The chest freezers are good if you don't have much variety in there.
    - Jamaican living in rural Western Washington
    - Got my first egg (XL) in October 2015
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  • Firemanyz
    Firemanyz Posts: 907
    I prefer upright. Chest freezers tend to get stuff lost in the bottom. For the most part you can see what's in an upright. 
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  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,530
    I'd go upright next time but can't argue with free....
    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
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  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    Upright by a mile. 
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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    edited January 2016
    Prefer an upright. 
    Edit: I really prefer a WIF but, MaMa won't give me the green light to build it. :cry: 
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    We have a Frigidaire. Holds -10℉ w/ no issue. It's quiet and has a flash (quick) freeze function as well. Very happy with the purchase. 
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • XLentEGG
    XLentEGG Posts: 436
    Im happy with my chest freezer. Just wish it was a little bigger. I have two baskets and two milk crates in it.  I guess if you have room for the door to swing ( which i do not ) an upright would do just as well. There is something to be said about not having to " dig " for stuff. :-)
    More meat please !! :-)
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  • blasting
    blasting Posts: 6,262
    Like @WeberWho I think upright superior for sure, but got a free chest
    Phoenix 
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  • Jeepster47
    Jeepster47 Posts: 3,827
    I really like the chest type freezers, but damn, it's so easy to find stuff in the uprights ... and they take up less floor space. 

    Don't buy a self-defrosting freezer ... they're harder on the protein.  Buy a manual freezer and plan on defrosting in the winter when the temps dip below freezing.  I don't think any of today's freezers will be a line item in your will.  Price might be the best qualifier with today's lineup.  I've got a 10 or 12 year old Kenmore ... cheap and flimsy, but it keeps the food frozen and hasn't quit ... yet!

    Washington, IL  >  Queen Creek, AZ ... Two large eggs and an adopted Mini Max

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  • Austin Egghead
    Austin Egghead Posts: 3,966
    Son has chest, SIL has upright.  Easier to find food in the uprifgt and it looks neater that the chest. 
    We are in the market for one. If it goes in the garage will probably get a chest.   Seems to me opening a upright in a hot garage would cause lots of cold air to be lost.  
    Jeepster thanks for the tip about the self defrosting being hard on protein. 
    Large, small and mini now Egging in Rowlett Tx
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  • bettysnephew
    bettysnephew Posts: 1,191
    Many years ago I worked for Amana Refrigeration and the chest freezers were far more efficient than the uprights as the cold was contained when opened. We actually built some special models for lab/commercial use that had no lid for use where the contents were accessed regularly. That would not work for an upright design.
    A poor widows son.
    See der Rabbits, Iowa
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  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    For my money, the convenience of being able to organize the food and access it very easily in an upright far out ways the literally pennies I might save by keeping my pile of stuff in the chest freezer cold for a little less money. I've had both. No contest. You will have the lid of the chest freezer open a long time digging through the food piled on top of itself. 
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  • YukonRon
    YukonRon Posts: 17,261
    edited January 2016
    Thank you everyone. I will be making the purchase today. My Beautiful Wife, has told me I have to move all my toys (coolers, toys, camping/climbing gear, etc.) before I get it home.
    Upright, large, well lit, non defrosting, (this makes so much sense, with the winter weather and the 15 coolers I have) capable of -10F. Seems like a plan!
    "Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

    XL and MM
    Louisville, Kentucky
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  • Dredger
    Dredger Posts: 1,468
    We have a Maytag 20.1 cu. ft. upright. It holds a lot of food. We can fit three of these baskets per shelf on two of the shelves. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LNQF82/ The bottom has a pull out basket and the top is reserved for freezing soups, stews, etc. We usually estimate what we'll be cooking that week and put items from the freezer in the garage into the refrigerator freezer in the house.
    Large BGE
    Greenville, SC
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  • Canugghead
    Canugghead Posts: 13,717
    @NPHuskerFL  just a crazy thought ... is it possible to rotate the orientation-sensitive component(s) of a chest freezer 90 degrees, then turn it into an upright by standing it on one end?  of course you'll also need to retrofit a shelving system in it  :s
    canuckland
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  • abpgwolf
    abpgwolf Posts: 564
    We got an old Norge about 15 years ago (it had to be 20 years old when we got it). Paid $20 for it, runs great!

    Lititz, PA – XL BGE

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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    edited January 2016
    Canugghead said:
    @NPHuskerFL  just a crazy thought ... is it possible to rotate the orientation-sensitive component(s) of a chest freezer 90 degrees, then turn it into an upright by standing it on one end?  of course you'll also need to retrofit a shelving system in it  :s
    Not sure I follow 100%. But, giving it some thought it's not impossible. You'd also have to relocate the compressor decking, figure out how to reroute the condensate drain line & pan, and the shelving may pose a obstacle also. Why would you go to all that trouble to convert it vs getting one designed for that application?  The mods wouldn't be horrible if you have the know-how and tools. Otherwise it would be a PITA. I have both and wouldn't waste my time unless the chest freezer was free and I had nothing better to do. I have beer in my cooler and defrosted meat on the ready so I'd pass on this project personally. 
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • Canugghead
    Canugghead Posts: 13,717
    NPHuskerFL said:
    ...wouldn't waste my time unless the chest freezer was free and I had nothing better to do...
    You nailed it, folks often give away chest freezer for free, and I'm a retiree that needs a project to kill time  =)

    Not sure if it's still the case, don't peeps say you have to wait a day before plugging in a fridge after moving to a new house?  That's what led me into thinking just standing a chest freezer on its end is not enough, some component(s) may also need 90 degree rotation to compensate?  Like I said, "a crazy thought"  ;)


    canuckland
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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    @Canugghead yes that is a safe rule of thumb so the oil can migrate back to the compressor. If you decide to tackle this and need any tech advice feel free on sending me a PM. Good Luck
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,594
    edited February 2016
    hadnt opened the chest freezer for a good three years at camp, it literally turned into a shelf with a pile on it. emptied it this fall and its going to be full of water and baitfish this spring =)
    wonder how much that electric shelf cost me over the years
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • Canugghead
    Canugghead Posts: 13,717
    Thanks @NPHuskerFL for the info and offer. If I ever get into this crazy undertaking I'll sure pick your brain. I doubt it though since it's more out of curiosity than need :)  
    canuckland
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