Arctic King Stainless Steel Deep Freezer, 5-Cubic Feet

If you’ve ever tried to store the leftovers after a big meal, you know the benefits of an extra freezer. But they can also come in handy for those living in dorm rooms or needing food storage for an office. When shopping for an extra freezer, though, you’ll have some choices to make as you weigh one model against another.

The first thing to decide is whether you want a dedicated deep freezer or a mini-fridge that includes a small freezer. If you’re buying the appliance for use in an office, dorm room or small apartment, you’ll probably need both a refrigerator and a freezer.

However, if you already have a refrigerator and you’re looking for something to extend the storage space of the freezer you already have, a chest-style freezer is likely what you need. This is a big investment, though, especially in floor space, so consider it carefully.

“Ask yourself if you freeze enough stuff to justify it,” says culinary expert Julie Chernoff, food journalist, dining editor of Better magazine and member of Les Dames d’Escoffier “Do you bulk buy meat? Split a whole pig with another family? Have a large family? Hunt? Many families can make do with the refrigerator/freezer in their kitchen.”

You may be used to the auto-defrost built into most of today’s refrigerators. Unfortunately, many dedicated freezers don’t offer that feature. An anti-frost freezer mat can help you keep frost buildup at a minimum. You’ll also reduce your need to unplug your freezer, remove all the items and wait for it defrost. Instead, you’ll simply wipe away ice crystals as you notice them forming.

You’ll probably find yourself facing a dilemma when it comes to size. If you’re limited on space, you’ll have to go with a smaller freezer, but that means giving up capacity. Squeezing a large roast or turkey into a freezer that size may become a challenge, especially if you already have items inside. Shelves and baskets only complicate this, so make sure if you buy one that comes with those features, they’re removable.

“Be sure to measure the space where you plan to set the freezer BEFORE purchasing it to determine the size that’s right for your family,” Chernoff advises. “And the larger the freezer, the more likely it is that food will get lost at the bottom or in the back, so it’s important to organize your freezer as you’re filling it, meaning label everything, of course, but also choose a freezer with extra drawers, adjustable shelves, or other organizing elements.”

If you’re buying a freezer that will be in your living area, noise will be a consideration. The compressors required to keep your items cool are by nature noisy, but technology has quietened things quite a big over the years. It’s especially important for those living in small spaces like dorm rooms to make sure they buy a device that minimizes noise.

Some freezers have doors that are reversible. That means you can set them to open to the right or the left. Left-handed people may want to reverse the direction for comfort. Most of the time, though, this feature is valuable because it lets you decide which direction works best for the area where you’re storing it. If your cabinets are to the left of your freezer rather than the right, for instance, being able to switch your door will be very helpful.

Additionally, freezers are notorious for their energy consumption, so you may want to look for a unit with an Energy Star rating. If you are storing it in a garage, you might want to make sure your freezer can withstand higher temperatures.

And you’ll also want to keep the safety factor in mind. “Important safety features to consider are lockable freezers, to prevent kids from leaving the door open after scoring a popsicle on a hot day, and anti-tip construction to prevent possible tragedy,” says Chernoff. “I also prefer an exterior thermostat to monitor the temperature inside without opening the door.”

• There are two major types of freezers. The traditional “deep freezer” design allows food to be loaded in from the top. Other freezers are designed similarly to mini-refrigerators, with a door that opens on the front for easy access.
• Check the dimensions of the freezer you’re considering to make sure it will fit in your space. The Midea Chest Deep Freezer, 7.0 Cubic Feet measures 32. 1 by 21. 7 by 33. 5 inches. If you’re hoping to go even smaller with your freezer, look for a model that comes in around 19.7 by 21.3 by 33.9 inches.
• Once you’ve squared away how much space your new freezer will take, check to make sure you’ll have enough room for your items. One chest may offer 3 cubic feet, while another has just over 2 cubic feet of storage.
• With upright freezers, you’ll need a small amount of clearance around it, so make sure you add in a little extra space for that when you’re measuring.
• If you need more space, look for a freezer with the choice of 5 or 7 cubic feet of interior space.
• If you ever think you’ll need to move your mini-freezer, pay attention to the weight as well. The Northair Chest Deep Freezer, 3.5 Cubic Feet weighs 50 pounds, while some other models weigh a whopping 152 pounds.
• The layout of your freeze comes into play since many models include shelving. Consider a model that also comes with two hanging wire baskets if you have small items you want to suspend toward the top. If a freezer comes with shelves, make sure they are removable for when you need that extra room.
• Look for a reversible door, as this means you can set it up to open in the direction you want.
• An adjustable thermostat can give you more control over the temperature in your freezer. The Northair Chest Deep Freezer, 3.5 Cubic Feet lets you move the thermostat between -4 and 6.8 degrees Fahrenheit, while the Midea Chest Deep Freezer, 7.0 Cubic Feet lets you adjust all the way down to -28 degrees.
• There are freezers that have a special feature called fast freezing functionality for those times when you arrive home from the grocery store with your ice cream softening.
• One handy feature unique to some models is that its door opens and locks in multiple increments. That means you can prop it open just as far as you need to load your items in without letting cold air escape.
• Many chest freezers don’t include auto-defrost capabilities. That means as frost starts to build up, you’ll have to put some work in. Some chests include a defrost drain to let the water drain out as the ice melts.
• Consider a freezer that has a lock with two keys to keep your items secure. If you store your freezer outdoors or in a garage, this will help keep thieves out.
• If you’re keeping your freezer in a garage or kitchen, you probably won’t worry too much about noise. However, for dorm rooms or office spaces, even a small hum can become a distraction. Look for a freezer that uses a quiet compressor that keeps noise to a minimum.
• For those who worry about eco-friendliness, the Energy Star rating is a “must” for any appliance search. Not only does this feature cut down on energy bills, but it also provides consistent temperature control throughout the interior.
• Durability is also an important factor to consider while shopping. Freezers made from high-quality stainless steel are an excellent choice. With most refrigerators and freezers, though, it’s important to be careful when moving them because the exterior can dent and scratch easily, even with top-quality construction.