Freezers - Page 2

RamSlammer · August 28, 2009, 11:36 PM

I bought a big commercial upright with glass doors from an auction for a grocery store that went out of business. Holds a ton of stuff - no idea of cubic feet, but it's a lot. Total cost $400. It's a 220v unit though and had to get an electrician out to install an outlet for it in the garage. (add another $100 for that).

I like that it's frost free and easy to find stuff. The 220v compressor brings the temp down fast after a door has been opened. (It's designed to be opened as often as possible after all in the store.) Added a digital thermometer with memory for high/low temp. In addition to the game and fish I add to it, it gets half a side of beef twice a year.

Used commercial stuff is the way to go if you can find it cheap. Way better engineered than anything now made for consumer purchase.

Old Grump · August 29, 2009, 12:51 AM

Old and bad back so chest freezer has become a pain in the.......well it is a pain. One way to reduce risk is to learn to can. Canned game lasts as long and tastes as good and fits in your roasting pan or crockpot right away without having to wait for defrost. I keep my ground meat, brats and sausages in the freezer.

If I have a big power outage which I have had 3 times I only lose whats in the freezer and the canned stuff stays in the pantry still usable. just 2 little copper centavos from an old dinosaur who learned the hard way.

One last word of advice, when you get a refrigerator get one with the freezer on the bottom, pain in the tookus but a lot more energy efficient and less cold loss. Do without the automatic icemaker and ice water dispenser. They take power and are high maintenance. Make ice in trays and keep a pitcher of water in the fridge if you don't like it from the tap.

August 29, 2009, 12:51 AM	#27
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	Old and bad back so chest freezer has become a pain in the.......well it is a pain. One way to reduce risk is to learn to can. Canned game lasts as long and tastes as good and fits in your roasting pan or crockpot right away without having to wait for defrost. I keep my ground meat, brats and sausages in the freezer. If I have a big power outage which I have had 3 times I only lose whats in the freezer and the canned stuff stays in the pantry still usable. just 2 little copper centavos from an old dinosaur who learned the hard way. One last word of advice, when you get a refrigerator get one with the freezer on the bottom, pain in the tookus but a lot more energy efficient and less cold loss. Do without the automatic icemaker and ice water dispenser. They take power and are high maintenance. Make ice in trays and keep a pitcher of water in the fridge if you don't like it from the tap. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

August 28, 2009, 11:36 PM	#26
RamSlammer Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Arkansas Posts: 722	I bought a big commercial upright with glass doors from an auction for a grocery store that went out of business. Holds a ton of stuff - no idea of cubic feet, but it's a lot. Total cost $400. It's a 220v unit though and had to get an electrician out to install an outlet for it in the garage. (add another $100 for that). I like that it's frost free and easy to find stuff. The 220v compressor brings the temp down fast after a door has been opened. (It's designed to be opened as often as possible after all in the store.) Added a digital thermometer with memory for high/low temp. In addition to the game and fish I add to it, it gets half a side of beef twice a year. Used commercial stuff is the way to go if you can find it cheap. Way better engineered than anything now made for consumer purchase.