Frugal Fridays: 3 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF WHEN PURCHASEING A Freezer

It has been way to long since I have been posting "Frugal Fridays", 

I really have been juggling quite a load lately. 

The household needs some SERIOUS TLC with all the surgeries, recovery periods, and now learning to cope with chronic pain "while homeschooling a precocious preschooler and special needs toddler, who only knows 2 speeds FAST & FASTER" & receives therapy 1-2/week for speech, occupational, & physical needs.

III YIII YII!! Some days I just wish we never needed rest or at least could feel refreshingly rested even after less than 4 hours of sleep...some women make that look easy, yeah, I am SO NOT one of them, I NEED 7 hours of sleep or I am one grumpy, unfocused, dingy, bear...

So ANYWAYSSSSSSS, Sheesh, I found some old frugal files from back in the early part of 2000's....

Each week I thought I would share some of the cream of the crop so to speak! :-)

So you want to purchase 

an extra Freezer 

for Pantry storage or 

once a month

Cooking ...?

TOP 3 QUESTIONS YOU NEED to ASK YOURSELF WHEN PURCHASING

the BEST FREEZER for your family.

Freezer Lessons 101:

Pic Credit

1.) UPRIGHT OR CHEST?

UPRIGHT- PROs:

• Takes up less floor space due to being an upright.
• Easy to organize the contents
• Can view contents at a glance.
• Typically more expensive then chest version
• Generally doesn't last as long the chest version.
  

Upright- Cons:

• Isn't as energy efficient as chest
• Hold less food per Cubic Foot than a chest freezer

CHEST- PROS:

• Uses less energy then the upright version  
• Holds more food per cubic foot versus an upright.
• Better for storing big & bulky shaped food items
• Easily handles larger food storage needs 
• Typically cheaper than upright version
• Typically life span of chest freezer at optimum working condition is 15 years.

CHEST- CONS:

• Harder to organize
• Difficult to view contents at a glance. 

2.) Frost free vs Self Defrost ?:PROS Frost Free:

• SUPER EASE OF USE, 
• NO DEFROSTING OR CROWDING OF FREEZER WITH ICE
• NO HASSLE OF DEFROSTING

CONS: 

• USES ABOUT 10-20% MORE ELECTRICITY 
• Typically more expensive
• Typically doesn't last as long

 
PROS: SELF DEFROST

• Uses less electricity    
• Generally less expensive than Frost Free version 

3.) What size freezer should I purchase?

• The rule of thumb is 8 cubic foot should accommodate the freezer needs of 2 people.
• Add 1 cubic foot per additional family member
• Add 2 cubic foot if you entertain  
•  Freezers less than 2/3 full use more energy, so having a large under-stocked freezer will cost you more money in the long run. Select one that meets your capacity requirements or use *tricks I have listed below
  

My personal opinion- Take in mind, I have freezer cooked for 14 years and a have a family for 4- less than 18 cubic foot is too small for my families needs.

 
Tricks I learned with my Chest Freezer:

• Using "vented" milk crates to hold contents. 
• Keeping like foods together {SUCH as Dairy, Baked Goods, Poultry, Fruit, Veggies...} 
• Using luggage tags to label the contents 
• Freeze contents in Gallon thick freezer bags FLAT, 
• label with bold SHARPIE ONLY, with contents, date and further instructions.
• I do different color in labeling for different items. {Such as black for red meat, purple for poultry, blue for baked goods, green for veggies... and so no}
• Once frozen will fit in baskets/crates upright and you let your fingers do the walking
• Most used item on top, less used on bottom
• If you find you're not utilizing 2/3 of the available space in your freezer, consider adding jugs of water to fill up the empty space to improve efficiency

All of this allows me the benefits that 

I miss with my upright freezer. 

It is a little More work at first but it makes it easier in the end.