To freeze large quantities of food for a long time, preserving the properties of raw or cooked foods, let’s see which are the best upright freezers on the market and how to choose which ones to buy based on your needs.
An upright freezer is a useful appliance for freezing and storing food for families in large quantities, couples, or individuals. Freezing is a great way to keep and preserve food, fresh products, and our already-cooked favorite dishes, and a good practice to limit waste.
Low temperatures make it possible to preserve food without adding substances, without significantly altering the organoleptic properties, and keep its nutritional qualities intact. Upright freezers, also known as ” cupboards, “offer the possibility of dividing food into practical pull-out drawers.
In this way, it is straightforward to keep preserved food under control. Moreover, they can easily match them with other kitchen appliances due to their structure. Regarding the aspects to be considered when choosing the upright freezer, it is necessary to consider the dimensions.
These products generally vary between a height of 63 inches and 73 inches and a width that can reach 24 inches. Other aspects being evaluated are the maximum temperature they can reach, the energy class, the climate class, and the freezing system. Based on all these factors, the quality of freezing varies.
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How to choose an upright freezer
To choose correctly which upright freezer to buy, these are the main features to be evaluated to ensure you make the right purchase.
Freezing class
The first aspect to keep in mind is certainly the freezing class.
The freezers differ according to the temperature they can reach. The system used is the classification based on stars:
- 1 Star: freezers that reach the minimum temperature of 21°F. This value is quite low and unsuitable for storage longer than a week.
- 2 Stars: the minimum temperature is 10°F. In this case, the freezer’s cold allows longer storage but not particularly long (no more than a month).
- 3 Stars: This class’s freezers have a minimum temperature of -0.4°F, allowing prolonged storage.
- 4 Stars is a class of professional freezers. These products reach a minimum temperature of -22°F, making preserving food for over a year.
Currently, most upright freezers belong to freezing classes 3 and 4. However, checking the data at the purchase is always advisable to ensure a quality product that meets your needs and allows optimal food conservation.
Energetic class
Being an appliance to keep in operation, it is advisable to consider consumption to avoid running into excessively high bills. Therefore, it is advisable to consult the appliance label to know the energy class at the time of purchase.
A good energy class ensures reduced costs and product efficiency; therefore, buying products that fall under the highest energy class A (A+; A++; A++) is advisable. This value varies according to some parameters that, in the case of the upright freezer, are: the operating system, the capacity, and the freezing class.
Each product’s label also shows the amount of annual energy consumed (KWh / annum); this allows you to have an additional parameter to evaluate the product’s type to be purchased.
Climate class
The climate class is a parameter that indicates the ambient temperatures within which the freezer can function.
Based on the climate class to which the upright freezer belongs, it is possible to know the cooling circuit’s degree of efficiency and insulation qualities.
There are four climate classes:
- SN: the so-called “extended tempered class,” the temperature range varies from 50°F to 90°F.
- N: corresponds to the tempered glass with a temperature ranging from 60°F to 90°F.
- ST: “subtropical,” the temperature range varies from 65°F to 100°F.
- T: called “tropical class,” freezers can operate with a temperature of 60°F and 100°F.
It is important to keep the freezer’s climatic class according to the appliance.
As an overall parameter, it can be kept in mind that domestic environments usually have temperatures ranging between 65°F and 70°F. In contrast, places like cellars or garages have a lower temperature (between 50°F and 54°F).
Remember that it is good to place the freezer in a sheltered place, away from heat sources or windows, ensuring the appliance’s optimal operation. The SN-T class is the best climate class, which ensures optimal operation in any situation.
From this point of view, the best upright freezers share two climatic classes that guarantee a high product quality that ensures perfect food preservation even in summer. Freezers of this type can also be called ” tropicalized. ”
Freezing system
Knowing the different freezing systems available on the market allows you to choose the upright freezer that best suits your needs at the time of purchase. Currently, the market offers two freezing systems that differ mainly in the presence or absence of a fan. In particular, a distinction is made between frost and no-frost freezers to refer to freezing systems.
- No frost freezers: freezers equipped with this freezing system have fans to disperse the cold between the different compartments. The fan is activated when the temperature drops, allowing you to quickly restore the ideal temperature to maintain food preservation.
- Frost freezers: This model type is characterized by the absence of a fan designed to move the freezer’s cold air. The cold transmission occurs naturally, ensuring the food’s freshness and maintaining the ideal humidity level.
When choosing the freezing system, it is good to remember that no frost model, avoiding frost formation, keeps the walls free from ice and ensures that the freezer’s internal capacity is not reduced over time. In this way, it will not be necessary to intervene manually when defrosting. Furthermore, no-frost upright freezers ensure easier and faster maintenance and cleaning.
Additional functions
Some upright freezers have additional features that can affect the versatility and efficiency of the product. Among these functions, we can consider the following:
- Rapid freezing: the function allows you to freeze food quickly and, at the same time, ensures a constant temperature inside the freezer; must keep in mind that this function requires greater energy expenditure, so it will be necessary to activate it only in the cases in which it is necessary.
- Adjustable thermostat: the presence of an adjustable thermostat is a beneficial function. It allows you to select the desired temperature level, thus adapting the freezer model purchased to your needs.
- Automatic defrost: this feature is present in the models with no frost system. Thanks to a system of internal fans and electric heaters, ventilation will be increased, melting any ice formed on the walls.
Additional accessories equipped with the best upright freezers are the acoustic signal, which warns of an abnormal lowering of the temperature or if the door has been accidentally left open. In addition, the safety system prevents children from accidentally turning off the freezer.
The best upright freezers to buy
Below are the best upright freezers recommended for value for money, with technical features and prices.
- AMPLE STORAGE CAPACITY: Easily store backup meats, frozen meals, and more with this 6.5...
- SPACE-SAVING DESIGN: The flush back design and recessed handle make it easy to fit in...
- ORGANIZED STORAGE: This small upright freezer includes six interior wire shelves to help...
- COMPACT VERTICAL UPRIGHT FREEZER—This COMMERCIAL COOL stand up freezer for home (21.5”...
- HOME, GARAGE OR EXTRA KITCHEN FREEZER—Are you needing more storage for frozen foods than...
- SPACE SAVING DESIGN— Our chest freezer 5 cu. ft. has a flat back and recessed door...
- TEMPERATURE: There is an adjustable thermostat to choose the desired temperature.
- MANUAL DEFROST: The freezer is manual defrost.
- REVERSIBLE DOOR: The door is reversible and can swing either way you choose.
- 2-In-1 freezer or fridge, switch between freezer and refrigerator with a single click to...
- The stylish appliance features a single door with an recessed handle and a clever...
- UPRIGHT FREEZER - This Hamilton Beach stand up freezer for home has a 6.8 cu. ft. storage...
- LARGE STORAGE CAPACITY: Neatly store frozen food and meals with this spacious 11 cu. ft....
- EFFORTLESS ORGANIZATION: Perfect for those who love to stay organized, this compact...
- EASY ACCESS: Say goodbye to bending over and searching for items in a chest freezer. This...
- [Large Capacity] With a capacity of 3.0 cubic feet, Midea MRU03M2ABB upright freezer...
- [Adjustable Temperature Control & Fast Cooling Design] External adjustable thermostat...
- 【E-Star Certificated】 This mini freezer uses R600A high-efficiency compressor, only...
- Mechanical Control with Adjustable Thermostat from -12 to -28 Degrees (Great for Storing...
- Contains 1 Hanging Wire Storage Basket
- Hinge-Style Door Remains Open from 45 to 75 Degree Angles
- 7 Cu. Ft. Capacity: This versatile 2-in-1 fridge/freezer offers 7 cubic feet of storage,...
- Convertible Freezer/Refrigerator: Easily adapt to your storage needs with a reversible...
- Garage-Ready Freezer: Designed with premium insulation and sealing technology, this...
- LARGE CAPACITY - 6.5 Cu. Ft. Capacity, ideal for a garage, a basement or a dorm
- TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Easily monitor the temperature with the interior Thermostat
- INTERCHANGEABLE - Organize and store your favorite foods with 3 wire shelves and a bright...
- Garage-Ready: This upright freezer features premium insulation to protect electrical...
- Low-Frost Technology: Enjoy low-frost functionality with cooling units in the cabinet back...
- 7.0 cu ft Capacity: With a spacious 7.0 cubic foot capacity, this stand up freezer offers...
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