Chest Freezer Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Did you know that over one-third of all available food in the United States goes uneaten through loss or waste? Imagine how much of that food could be saved if it were frozen and stored for later.

Whether you've been considering a second freezer for a while or that statistic suddenly left you inspired, there are some things you should learn before doing so.

Read on to learn everything you need to know before purchasing a chest freezer.

Freezers can be used for more than freezing food from the grocery store.

Chest freezers are most commonly used by those who simply need extra freezer storage. Whether you do a lot of hunting and fishing, shop in bulk, or just have a large family to feed, your kitchen freezer can become overcrowded pretty quickly.

There are two common options when it comes to buying standalone freezers — upright and chest freezers.

Often, an upright freezer can cost up to $1,000 and is slightly smaller than the average refrigerator. Most customers are likely to opt for a chest freezer, though.

The general rule of thumb for storing things is 35-40 pounds of frozen food for every one foot of cubic space. The specific weight your freezer holds is obviously going to depend on which one you get.

To determine what capacity is going to suit you and your needs best, calculate how much food you're generally going to be storing inside of it and what kind of food you're going to store inside it. Frozen meat is easier to wrap and store inside a deep freezer, meaning you'll be able to of it than perhaps containers of Christmas cookies.

You should also consider the times of year the freezer is going to be filled the most when doing your calculations.

While how much storage space you need is an important thing to consider, so is how much space you have for the unit itself. Be sure to determine where you're going to store this extra freezer, along with how much space you have for it.

You can save space when necessary by choosing an upright freezer, or a small chest freezer. While a compact chest freezer may not allow as much food storage, it does allow easier maneuvering and less of a footprint in whatever small space you have.

Chest freezers tend to have a lot of basic options, but some have features that make absolutely worthwhile.

Some have storage bins that make it easier for you to sort and separate items in whatever way you'd like. Some come with locks to keep nosy people out and others are equipped with interior lights that make it easier to see what you have in there.

Having a light and lock could be especially helpful if the freezer is being placed outdoors or in a dark space like a garage.

Many people would say that purchasing a freezer is certainly worth the investment. Not only can it help you save money in the long run, but it can also ensure that you keep groceries on hand at all times, and that's something that's invaluable.

Whether you buy or cook in bulk, hunt or fish, or just have a large family, a deep freezer could be worth it for you.

If you still find yourself contemplating, here are a few things to consider before making your decision:

• How many people live with you?
• How often does the family visit?
• Do you hunt, fish, or garden?
• How big is your current freezer?
• What are you looking to get out of your potential deep freezer?
• Do you have room for it?
• Are you going to be able to finish it all?

It's important to remember that, though it will help you save money, food in a freezer won't last forever. Things do still go bad and it's very possible

Ultimately, the answer to this question is something only you can decide upon, but taking everything you can into consideration before making your purchase is going to help you divide what's best for you.