Features of choosing a freezer for the home
If you need to store frozen food from your gardens and summer cottages, or need a supply of meat products, then the freezer will become an indispensable assistant in your everyday life.
The first step is to decide what size freezer you need. To do this, it is important to understand what the equipment will be used for. For example, for a house outside the city, you can purchase a small freezer, and if you plan to store a huge amount of food for a long period, then you should think about choosing a large freezer.
The market offers many options with different prices, parameters, characteristics, even appearance.
How to choose a freezer for your home
Some tips based on consumer reviews on how to choose the right freezer for your home:
- before purchasing the unit, you should make sure that the handle is sufficiently reliable and comfortable;
- There should be no hard-to-reach areas for cleaning in the chamber. In modern devices, it is possible to temporarily remove the door seal and wash it. The antibacterial coating will be a pleasant bonus for maintaining the cleanliness of the unit;
- some models are equipped with carbon filters to purify the air in the chamber;
- the presence of a tray for freezing semi-finished products is perfect for those who like to cook;
- some models are equipped with a special compartment for freezing water;
- The noise level of freezers varies from 40 to 46 dB. If you plan to place the freezer close to the bedroom, you should make sure that the noise will not interfere with your rest;
- Before purchasing, you should check the availability of a service center nearby.
What foods are suitable for freezing?
What are the advantages of a separate freezer?
According to American researchers, about 80% of people in the CIS countries are engaged in conservation. Everyone knows that heat treatment has a detrimental effect on various bacteria. Therefore, this tradition allows you to store vegetables, fruits and berries for a long time. But beneficial substances are also destroyed during conservation. Freezing, which is gaining popularity, comes to the rescue. It is the preservation of food in its original form with all the vitamins that is the main advantage of purchasing a separate freezer refrigerator.
Before purchasing, it is very important to clarify for yourself that the concept of “total volume” is not the same as “useful volume”, since the first takes into account all the space in the device, and the second already takes into account the space that will be used to store products.
Other advantages include spaciousness (in addition to vegetables and fruits, you can store meat and fish in it), relatively low energy consumption and high performance.
Modern models of refrigeration devices are not afraid of power outages. Thanks to this, they retain the cold for a long time in case of such a situation.
A small number of shelves or compartments does not always allow you to place products in it according to the principle of compatibility.
A separate freezer will become an indispensable assistant for a large family in matters of food storage.
Types of freezers
Manufacturers try to please everyone, so there are 2 types of chests: vertical and horizontal. This article will look at each type in detail and help answer the question of how to choose a freezer for your home.
Vertical
In practice, vertical models take up less space in the room than their horizontal counterparts.
This freezer is very similar to a standard refrigerator. Sizes can vary from fifty centimeters to two meters.
The equipment is a cabinet, inside of which there are drawers and compartments with doors. The compartments can be made of various materials: plastic, glass or a combination of materials.
Built-in freezers, which are great for arranging small kitchens. In appearance, they resemble cabinets with drawers and shelves inside, easily hiding in kitchen furniture without overloading the interior.
Basically, the upper chambers are for storage, and the lower ones are for quick freezing. At the very bottom of the freezer there is a compartment for draining condensation.
The advantage is that each compartment is isolated from each other, which prevents mixing of product aromas.
The number of compartments depends on the height of the vertical cabinets:
- Up to 90 cm – 2-3 compartments.
- 100-109 cm – 3-4 compartments.
- 110-149 cm – from 4 to 6 compartments.
- 150-179 cm – 7-8 compartments.
- From 180 cm – more than 8 compartments.
Such devices are more suitable for apartments and houses where there is not enough space to accommodate large appliances. They are convenient to place in the hallway or on the balcony.
Horizontal
The properties of a chest freezer are similar to a cellar, and you can place it directly on the balcony. Inside, manufacturers have provided drawers with partitions arranged vertically, forming compartments.
The horizontal chest has some characteristics inferior to its vertical counterpart. This design takes up quite a lot of space, which causes inconvenience during placement.
From the outside, this chest looks like a huge box. The doors are located at the top and open by lifting or sliding to the side.
We recommend choosing this option for people who do not have enough free space at home.
The main disadvantage is the lack of sections. Therefore, small containers will be difficult to find at the bottom of the equipment. There is also no insulation, because of this all odors will mix into one.
But there are positive sides:
- The price is much lower than for vertical cabinets.
- Less loss of cold through the seal, even if it is damaged.
- The chest is often made with wheels, which allows movement from place to place.
Important Features
Volume, power, freezing class and energy consumption are factors that you should pay attention to when purchasing a product.
After choosing the type of freezer, you can proceed to the technical characteristics of a specific model.
Power
This parameter is measured in kilograms of frozen food per day. The capacity can be from 5 kg/day to 25 kg/day. When choosing, you need to proceed from the number of products that will be stored in the freezer. For a small family, a capacity of 5-10 kg/day will be sufficient.
The more you plan to use the equipment, the higher the power you should choose. For an average family of 3 people, 6-10 kg/day will be enough.
Energy consumption
An important factor when choosing a device that runs on electricity is the energy consumption class. Given the increase in electricity prices, it would be advisable to know this level.
On the label, usually glued to the back side of the freezer body, manufacturers indicate the letter designation (From “A” to “E”) of this characteristic. It is important to understand what this or that letter means.
- “A” – more than 60% more effective. That is, the most economical model.
- “B” – 50% more effective.
- “C” – 25% efficiency.
- “D” – 10-15% efficiency.
- “E” – 0-9% efficiency.
- “F” – 10-25% more effective.
- “G” – less than 25% efficiency. Such models consume a lot of electricity and performance is also low.
If you use the freezer constantly, it is better to give preference to appliances with the lowest energy consumption (class A). However, it is worth considering that their price is quite high.
Freezers with a low energy consumption class are often more expensive, but the price is fully justified.
Volume
The volume of freezers is measured in liters. The volume value varies from 80 liters to 500. It all depends on the purpose of the device. For a large family, the best option would be a freezer that holds 300-400 liters. For a family of 2-3 people, 100-200 liters will be enough. Another important factor when choosing the volume of a freezer is the area that can be allocated for the freezer.
Freezing class
Freezing class – an indicator of the temperature in the freezer chamber; parameter on which the shelf life of food depends.
The freezing class determines what maximum temperature the refrigerator can produce. The designation is placed on an adhesive label. On it you can see a certain number of stars (snowflakes “*”):
- one star * – up to -7 °C;
- two ** – up to -13 °C;
- three *** – up to -19 °C;
- four stars **** – below -19 °C. Such parameters allow not only storing food, but also quickly freezing it.
Each model is marked with a different number of stars, which indicate the temperature regime.
Specifications
Technical specifications affect the quality of operation and ease of use of the freezer at home. The value of certain parameters allows you to determine the degree of efficiency of use and savings when operating a particular model before purchasing.
Freezer classes
When choosing a good freezer for your home, it is important to consider what classes it belongs to. The climate class indicates at what external temperature and humidity levels the device can be operated. They are divided into:
- “N” - normal, which can be used at t 16-32ºC;
- “SN” - moderate, t 10-32ºC;
- “ST” - subtropical, t 18-38ºC;
- “T” - tropical, t 18-43ºC.
For those living in the middle zone, it is optimal to choose a freezer belonging to the normal or moderate climate class. Residents of the south should choose a freezer with a subtropical or tropical rating.
For efficient operation, the energy consumption class is important. They are designated by Latin letters from A to G. Additionally, the letter “A” may have one or more indices “+”. The most energy-efficient freezers are classified as “A++”, but such models are more expensive. True, over time, the large purchase costs will be recouped due to the lower energy consumption of the equipment and you will be able to save money in the future.
Freezing power indicator
The value of the indicator indicates the volume of products that the chamber can freeze per day. On average, for freezer models the figure is in the range of 5-25 kg/day.
There is no universal indicator of power value; its choice must be approached based on one’s own needs. Experts only recommend taking into account how actively you plan to use the freezer and the number of family members. In practice, a family of 3-4 people has more than enough power of 7-10 kg/day.
Like refrigerators, freezers can have two compressors. Models with two motors allow you to set your own temperature in different sections, making food storage more convenient and practical. Another advantage is a longer service life, since each compressor operates under less load. The disadvantages are high cost and higher energy consumption.
Temperature
For clarity, the temperature value is indicated by symbols in the form of a snowflake. Their number indicates the temperature and shelf life of the food. The ratio of characters and temperature is distributed as follows:
- “*” — t up to -6°С, storage time no more than 14 days;
- “**” — t up to -12°С, 30 days;
- “***” — t up to -18°C, 90 days;
- “****” - t below -18°C, 6-12 months.
The appearance of a fifth snowflake in some freezers indicates the presence of a deep freezing mode, which affects the rate of cooling of semi-finished products to the set temperature value. In general, the quality of preservation of the nutritional value of food and the level of energy consumption of the freezer depend on the correctly selected mode.
Control type
The ease of use of the freezer is largely influenced by the type of control over the operating parameters of the equipment. Existing control options:
- mechanical;
- electromechanical;
- electronic.
The mechanical control system is considered the most reliable. But it also has its drawbacks. The mechanics do not allow you to accurately set the temperature inside the device. True, for home use, most often this is not required for users; 3 standard modes, which are selected using a switch, are quite enough. Electromechanical is also distinguished by its reliability, simplicity and inability to accurately set the temperature.
Electronics, by their nature, can be capricious, violating the temperature regime of food storage. Basically, the causes of electronic control failure are voltage drops in the electrical network. Therefore, if there are no systematic power surges in your home, there is no need to worry too much. The main advantage of electronic control is the ability to set the desired temperature as accurately as possible for freezing and storing food.
Defrost type
Good operation of the freezer is possible with timely defrosting. The majority of devices are equipped with a drip or “No Frost” system. The main disadvantage of drip defrosting is that defrosting must be done manually quite often.
With the “No Frost” system there are fewer worries, but even with it the freezer must be washed at least once a year. This is possible due to the operating principle of the system, which does not allow ice to form on the inner walls of the chamber. The built-in fan and heater promote good air circulation inside the freezer, preventing moisture from accumulating and crystallizing into ice. Such a system has a significant drawback - it disrupts the natural moisture content in products, which is why they dry out during long-term storage.
Extra options
Today, manufacturers are improving their products, so it is worth paying attention to the additional capabilities of the freezer.
Control system
Control systems can be as follows.
- Mechanics. You will have to configure the settings manually.
- Electronics. Freezers with such a system will be more expensive, but very multifunctional and accurate. There is a child lock, as well as a sound indicator about the status of the equipment.
Freezers are equipped with mechanical or electronic control.
Climate class
This parameter is also important when choosing a freezer. It shows at what air temperatures the device will operate smoothly. The designations are as follows.
- N – operates at temperatures from +15 °C to +35 °C.
- SN – temperature range from +9 °C to 32 °C.
- ST – temperature can vary from 20 °C to 40 °C.
- T – class for temperatures from 20 °C to 45 °C.
The maximum sub-zero temperature of the freezer depends on the freezing class.
Automatic cold storage
Automatic cold storage is a function that allows the freezer to remain cold in the event of a power outage. Some devices can cool for almost two days without electricity. Therefore, this parameter should not be overlooked.
Quick freezing
As you know, it is not recommended to put food at room temperature in the freezer, since this negatively affects the temperature in the chamber. This is why the extra freezing function is very useful. Before putting food into the device, you must activate this mode so that there will be no sudden temperature changes.
The fast freezing function is present in many modern cameras. It guarantees the preservation of the maximum amount of vitamins and nutrients in products.
Important! This mode should not be used for a long time. This may lead to failure of the unit.
Defrosting
Defrosting can be either manual or No Frost. Models of freezers with No Frost do not freeze ice and turning off the device may only be necessary in case of washing.
Note! No Frost is a dry freezing function, therefore, in order not to destroy the beneficial properties of the products, they should be placed in the chamber, having previously been sealed.
If you are tired of defrosting the freezer compartment in the refrigerator and clearing it of ice, we recommend choosing a model with No Frost.
Removable door
The removable door provides the ability to rehang the door to another side convenient for the user. This allows you to install the refrigerator anywhere.
Gradation of refrigerators according to the size of freezers
All refrigerators are divided into groups A, B, C, D according to useful volume. We are considering refrigerators from group D. Their height is up to 210 cm, and their total volume is up to 800 liters. Standard European two-compartment refrigerators have small-volume freezers with a lower and upper location. The useful volume of such a cabinet does not exceed 250 liters; the freezer accounts for up to 75 liters.
Freezer compartments with a volume of 150 liters or more are considered large. These can only be placed in American and French designs. At the same time, the capacity of the freezer compartment in a multi-door freezer reaches a little over 200 liters. The largest freezer compartments, with a built-in ice maker and remote control, are only possible in Side-by-Side refrigerators. Structurally, the type is called American, but it is successfully used by Korean and European manufacturers. It should be noted that two-door refrigerators look more bulky than pantry refrigerators. It is difficult for a person of shorter than average height to get supplies from the top shelf. Multi-door designs are much more convenient.
Useful tips when choosing a freezer
When choosing a freezer, you should rely on 3 main settings:
- Availability of space for the device. Cameras with large volumes take up a lot of space. Also, if there is no free space, it is worth considering a vertical type of freezer.
- Power. The higher this parameter, the greater the performance.
- Keeping cold. If there are frequent power fluctuations in your home, then it is better to give preference to refrigerators with an automatic cold storage function.
When choosing a product, do not forget that we are dealing with an electrical appliance that will work almost all the time.
Which is better: freezer or chest? Let's compare their features.
Chest: 1. Essentially, a chest freezer is the same chamber, only vertical. Because of this feature, it is convenient to use for cooling products on an industrial scale. This is also facilitated by its technical characteristics - in some units the temperature can reach -45 degrees.
2. Most models have a compressor type of cooling (not counting compact road ones).
3. A horizontal chest takes up a lot of space, and therefore is more suitable for use in industrial and commercial premises.
Special features of a refrigerated cabinet :
- It is produced only vertically, and therefore fits better into the average apartment and takes up less space.
- The minimum volume of refrigerated cabinets is 50 liters, while chests have as much as 100. So if you are looking for the most compact unit, for example, for a dacha, a miniature freezer will be the best choice. In addition, a small freezer will also come in handy on a picnic - take drinks that don’t have to be refrigerated, or food that can quickly spoil in a hot trunk.
- Unlike chests, refrigerated cabinets are equipped with shelves - even if a bag of berries accidentally breaks, they can be easily collected - the fruits will not be scattered throughout the cabinet.
Rating Top 7 best freezer models for home
Below is a rating of freezers for the home, which are of high quality and at a price accessible to everyone.
ATLANT M 7184-003
Freezer ATLANT M 7184-003.
The first place in the ranking is occupied by the Atlant M 7184-003 freezer. The model is vertical. Despite its small size (height 150 cm, width 60 cm and depth 63 cm), the household device can accommodate a significant amount of food. The cabinet is equipped with 6 compartments, as well as an ice box.
The body with the door is made of metal coated with white glossy enamel. Such a sophisticated design will organically fit into any kitchen interior and create a complete picture with other furniture. There is a convenient handle at the top of the door. You will have to defrost manually, but it has a high energy consumption class (A), which ensures economical operation.
If the power goes out, the device continues to cool for 17 hours.
The manufacturers also provided a removable door that can be hung on the other side.
Indesit MFZ 16 F
Freezer Indesit MFZ 16 F.
According to numerous customer reviews, there are no shortcomings in this model, only continuous advantages. The unit has fairly small dimensions: height 167 cm, width 60 cm and depth 60 cm. An excellent solution for a small area. The refrigerator has a good volume of 250 liters and inside has 7 opening sections, 3 of which are drawers for storing meat, fish, vegetables and fruits, and other types of products.
The device belongs to the mechanical control type. The knob on the panel rotates to 3 settings: off, minimum cooling and maximum.
Their advantage is worth noting that each compartment is isolated, which will eliminate the mixing of odors.
Samsung RZ-32 M7110SA
Freezer Samsung RZ-32 M7110SA.
A good freezer that holds 315 liters with relatively small dimensions - height 185 cm, width 60 cm. Inside there are 6 compartments, 4 drawers and an ice compartment.
The Korean brand Samsung has equipped the equipment with external electronic controls and the ability to block access for children.
No Frost freezing and All-around Cooling automatic cooling system ensure reliable operation and comfort of use.
Samsung RZ-32 M7110SA has a capacity of 21 kg/day and energy consumption class A++.
Additional functions include accelerated freezing and support for Smart adapter.
Liebherr G 4013
Freezer Liebherr G 4013.
A fairly new model that has found recognition among lovers of ergonomic refrigerators. Liebherr G 4013 belongs to energy class A++. Also equipped with No Frost and sufficient capacity (406 liters). This freezer is designed for a large family.
The household appliances have impressive dimensions - height 195 cm, width 75 cm and depth 70 cm.
Capacity – 26 kg/day. This allows you to quickly freeze food.
Without electricity, the freezer will operate for about 47 hours.
An additional feature is the ability to move the door to the other side, which creates maximum comfort for the user.
One of the advantages is the relatively inexpensive cost.
BEKO RFNK 290E23 W
Freezer BEKO RFNK 290E23 W.
Turkish quality and reasonable price are not inferior to other expensive freezers. The model differs from other freezers in its neat assembly and laconic design.
The color range includes white and silver. It is human height, only 170 cm. The body width is 60 cm and the depth is 65 cm. This device will fit in a kitchen of any size.
What is the “stuffing”: 2 drawers for quick freezing, 5 pull-out sections and several removable glass shelves. This provides excellent capacity.
On the front side of the case there is a liquid crystal display with the following functions: alerts in case of breakdown, temperature settings.
The main advantage at a low price is the A++ energy consumption class.
The freezer is also equipped with a No Frost function and additional LED lighting.
Zanussi ZUF 11420 SA
Freezer Zanussi ZUF 11420 SA.
This freezer can be purchased at the lowest price among all the models presented in this article. Of course, the volume here is smaller - only 97 liters and the control panel is inconveniently located. It is located at the very bottom of the device.
Built-in three compartments allow you to store a sufficient amount of food.
The main advantage is noiselessness.
For apartments and houses with a small area, this model will be an excellent option. Therefore, the refrigerator has miniature dimensions - height 80 cm, width 55 cm and depth 56 cm.
ATLANT M 7203-100
Freezer ATLANT M 7203-100.
ATLANT M 7203-100 belongs to small compact freezers that can accommodate a large volume of food. Small dimensions (height 85 cm, width 48 cm and depth 52 cm) allow the refrigerator to be placed in the smallest rooms.
- The design is no different from previous models - a white body with an enamel coating.
- Due to its miniature size, the device has 3 spacious compartments.
- The defrosting principle is manual, but this overrides the advantage - A++ energy consumption class.
- Mechanical control increases the reliability of the refrigerator.
Among the shortcomings, it is worth noting the lack of the No Frost function.
If you follow all the above rules and tips for choosing a freezer, this will help you choose a high-quality and reliable device for a long time.
Features of refrigerators with a large freezer volume
Large capacity refrigerators rarely come with a one-way door. Such copies are made to order. More often you can find two or 4 doors that open wide. In this case, the freezer is located on the side (Side-by-Side) or below, with drawers. A refrigerated cabinet is installed above the freezer compartment block, like a buffet. In some samples it has glass doors.
Typically, refrigerators with a freezer volume greater than 300 liters are manufactured with related options. They have a sophisticated design, an additional small door and an ice maker. Electronics allows you to change the mode remotely. A smart refrigerator can remind the housewife to replenish items by item. Such units are expensive and suitable for a large kitchen. They have 2-3 compressors, often inverter ones.
As a rule, multi-door refrigerators use a complex system for regulating temperature and humidity in the compartments. Drip defrosting, the No Frost system and its modifications are combined.
The freezer compartments have a thoughtful layout. Lattice boxes allow you to create a uniform temperature throughout the entire volume. The chambers have cold accumulators. They may be required during a power outage. Up to 45 hours of autonomous food preservation cannot be achieved in any other way.
The ambient temperature does not affect the operation of the device. Typically, the insulation and frame design meets the SN-T class, which means the operating range is +10~+43 0C. Premium models have an unusual design. A standard stainless steel finish with a silver layer is used to make the item look appropriate when changing the environment.
