Selection

Types of freezers, their pros and cons

Before buying a freezer, you need to evaluate where it will be placed and how much space there is in the room.
Room temperature is also important, as each freezer has a specific climate class that indicates at what room temperature it will work efficiently. Please read the instructions of the manufacturer and the user manual.
When assessing the capacity of the freezer, be aware that the size of the freezer depends on the number of people in the family and the number of products that you plan to freeze – even up to 400 l. When planning to freeze only a few berries or mushrooms, it is recommended to choose a smaller freezer with a volume of 80–100 l.
When choosing a freezer, attention must be paid to the following aspects: capacity (how many kg of fresh food it can freeze in 24 hours) and freezing class (indicated in the energy label, and technical specification).
The more products that are planned to be frozen, the more capacious a freezer is needed. Thus, the freezing capacity must be greater. For example, a freezer with a capacity of 5–8 kg/24 h will be sufficient for a family of four. • Please consider – a freezer is an electrical appliance that, unlike a stove or a washing machine, operates continuously, so it is especially important to pay attention to how much electricity the chosen freezer will consume, or the estimated electricity consumption (kWh/year) that is indicated on the energy label

Horizontal (chest type)		Vertical
A common compartment opens from above, usually with one or more inner baskets.		Just like in a refrigerator, products are stored in separate compartments, drawers, and shelves. It can be opened from the front.
Advantages	Disadvantages	Advantages	Disadvantages
Larger capacity, suitable for freezing and storing large quantities of food products, such as game. Consumes less electricity. Constant temperature (no self-defrost function and temporary temperature rise) so products are less likely to suffer from freezer burn due to temperature changes. Keeps food frozen for longer, even in the event of a power outage.	Takes up more space. You need to find a place in the room to be able to open it from above. Despite the hanging baskets, it is more difficult to organise, especially if you freeze food in small packages. There is no self-defrosting function; it must be done manually, which can be inconvenient (freezer needs to be emptied) and time-consuming.	It takes up less space; it is easier to organise products; it has several compartments/drawers, so it is easily accessible. Suitable for freezing smaller and more compact products, such as berries, mushrooms, legumes, cut vegetables, small portions of meat or fish, etc. Access to products is easy. It will be compatible with a refrigerator of the same colour and, due to its parameters, will not take up much space even in a compact kitchen.	Maintaining a constant temperature throughout the freezer compartment is more difficult In freezers with door compartments, as it can vary among door compartments.

Recommendations on additional features

Not all models of freezers are equipped with lighting; some models have a place where lighting can be installed.
To avoid frequent manual defrosting, it is best to choose a freezer with a "No frost" function, which means that the freezer is optimally ventilated, humidity is reduced and ice is completely prevented from forming, although it must be emptied and cleaned by unplugging it once a year or as instructed.
If you choose a freezer with a quick-freezing function, products that have just been put into the freezer will be frozen quickly, which ensures high-quality products, preserving nutrients and vitamins, and keeping them for longer periods of time.
Three types of controls are available for freezers: electronic, mechanical and sensor. The electronic type allows you to set the modes with the help of buttons, the mechanical – with knobs, and the sensor – with touch.
The display, on the other hand, shows information about the settings and temperature of the device, and it can be situated both inside the freezer, as well as on the door. When the display is combined with the electronic control panel, management of freezer settings and monitoring of temperature is particularly convenient.