Compact freezer advice
4I’ve never owned a dedicated freezer. I am trying to decide between a 7cf Insignia branded freezer from Best Buy for $170 that I’d have to figure out how to transport myself, and a 5cf Frigidaire for $150 which Target will deliver for free. My car won’t hold one but I think we could cram it into my friend’s small SUV. Both have good reviews. Getting the bigger one home will be a lot more work, but getting 40% more freezer for 13% more money seems like the better deal. I’d have preferred an upright (front loading) as it’s easier to find space for but they’re more expensive. Opinions? Better deal? Free delivery code for Best Buy?
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GE (Haier) at Jet.com for $177.82 after the 15% ($30) off?
https://jet.com/product/71-CU-Feet-Chest-Freezer/3695eebf712a422789c5ca84fc1c9e7f
Sears is another option - $179.99 w/free delivery.
http://www.sears.com/kenmore-7.0-cu-ft-chest-freezer-white/p-04612702000P?plpSellerId=Sears
@narfcake Nice, definitely on the list. I’m only seeing 15% off though, am I missing something? Have you bought from Jet before? This came up on my search but I was wary of it as I’ve never bought from them. Haier has a good rep, I read up on them when I was shopping for a tankless water heater.
@moondrake With Sears, you might be able to use a $20 off $150 coupon too.
http://www.sears.com/en_us/savings/coupons.html#/couponGrid
You will need to join ShopYourWay, though. I’ve taken plenty of advantage of their surprise points from time to time.
@moondrake Just to follow up with the one at Sears - the $20 off $150 worked, but free delivery isn’t showing anymore – which negates any savings there.
My last order from Jet was just before Christmas, and it arrived in 2 days as promised. I spent $40 less than at Amazon.
The price I cited includes the 15% off, but the coupon is capped off at $30, hence the parenthesis.
We bought a 7 c.f. after living with the tiny freezer on the fridge for years. I can’t imagine going smaller; I’d like larger (but can’t fit that and probably can’t justify it any more). We used to buy more bulk and large frozen meat than we do now.
I’d also shop around a bit more. If you have local or regional stores (like ABT here in chicagoland) or a warehouse club (if you’re a member) you might get a better deal, or delivery, or other options.
@duodec No regional stores. I’m a member of Costco but the one they have is $250. I’m not a Sam’s member but friends are. They have a 5cf one for $130, but it’s not available in stores, $31.37 shipping. That’s not too bad, it’s a Haier, but it’s only 5cf.
However, as the result of your comment I’ve discovered a good sale on Sam’s memberships.
@moondrake Sam’s club offers an Igloo Chest Freezer (7.1 cu. ft.) in store. It’s $20 off until May 30, so $159.98. Its possibly the same manufacturer as the Haier brand. They look identical.
Been years and years since I had one. Had … forget first brand, and later a Kenmore. Worked really well. But was upright and as big as a frig. when my daughter adulted and moved out, i got rid of it, cause well, not useful for one. It was really nice to have though. Times I wished I had a small one, but rent these days and no where to put it.
I’ve done some research on freezers:
@gustador I’d guess if you live alone you’d need more than 2 cf per person since hardly anything is sold in single portion.
Also, since theoretically these things last for years a small difference in price now may not be worth the long term difference in other things important to you…
@Kidsandliz I’ve griped at my local supermarket for offering sale prices on meat only on huge “family packs”, telling them there’s no point in mailing me their ads if they are going to exclude singles and couples from their sale prices.
If your gonna open it a lot make sure its a chest style, those fridge style ones dump a lot of their cold every-time you open em.
When transporting it make sure you keep the up arrow up or check the manual and let it set for the required amount of time before starting it up! (to let the oil settle back, check the manual for the final word if you get it and notice it side ways or upside down)
I agree with the chest style in keeping the chill in.
My buddy left his fridge style open as he left for camping. Came back and found his freezer hot and running.
@moondrake, I used kenmore appliances for decades. Recently had an issue with the stove. The appliance repair guy advised me not to buy kenmore anymore. Used to be sears contracted with a company to make the appliance & you could tell who that was by the code. No more, they use multiple manufacturers now & until there is a repair you have no idea who made the part. Problem is some companies (he specified LG & Samsung) are extremely costly to repair/replace parts.
BTW, in case anyone is wondering why I need a freezer, my kitchen is 6’x6’, and I can only fit a 9cf fridge in there. So my freezer is tiny and always crammed. The yellow cup is how I make a giant ice cube to put in my steel cup as there’s never room for a conventional tray.
I have a chest freezer. Wish I had an upright because the stuff at the bottom gets forgotten about. I bought a dented model for about 40% off. Works fine.
Anything on Craig’s list or similar sites?
@RiotDemon At one point I had a chest freezer. I used baskets to help organize and get at the bottom stuff. Easier/faster to lift out stacking baskets than a bunch of loose items to get to the bottom.
@Kidsandliz I was just thinking last night when I looked at this topic that I need to get some baskets.
@RiotDemon I’ve checked craigslist. Therecare usually one or two compact freezers, but they are either asking for over $100, which is too close to the new price with warranty, or they have already sold.
I have a 7cuft chest freezer from Sears (probably similar to the one mentioned above). It works great for cooling my beer kegs. Seems like it would hold a fair amount of food. One thing I strongly recommend is to get one with an aluminum (or plastic?) liner - IME a painted/enameled steel interior WILL rust in just a couple years.
@macromeh Good advice, thanks. It’s so arid that rust is an alien concept around here, I can’t remember the last time I saw any. But the freezer will provide its own moisture so rust inside it is still a possibility.
@moondrake You may be OK with painted then. I’m in NW OR, so lots of moisture/condensation. My earlier version of a keg cooler (keezer) with painted liner rusted in pretty short order even though I don’t open the lid very often (beer taps are on the outside
).
I’ve had a 7cf Frigidaire manual defrost chest freezer for about six years. It was ~$240 (with “free” delivery, a $20 coupon and 8.625% sales tax). I considered other brands, sellers and 9cf units. I’ve occasionally wished that I’d gotten a 9cf unit.
While there are some advantages to uprights, chest freezers cost less to run because the cold dry air doesn’t fall out when you open the door. Also, since the dry air isn’t replaced by humid air, there is less need for defrosting: I’ve defrosted mine twice in six years, tho it is about ready to be defrosted again.
Since most freezers are used for long term storage, you also want manual defrost. Auto-defrost freezers exacerbate freezer burn as well as costing more to run, since they periodically heat the air in the freezer to dry it out.
My concern with energy costs stems from living in NYC and paying 28-35 cents per kWh when delivery costs and taxes are added to the base price of 7-12 cents per kWh. This may not be an issue for you at all.
TL;DR: get the bigger one. You won’t regret it.
@baqui63 This is exactly right. Get a chest-style freezer. Can’t get it too big. (You’ll use it all, I promise.)
Home Depot, Lowes, etc. will be having great Memorial Day sales next weekend. It might be a good idea to see what’s available, if you can wait.
In Texas, some appliances will be tax free (not sure exactly what).
I just bought a dryer from HD and can’t complain!
Btw, I love my upright. I can buy in bulk (such as meat at Sam’s and then repackage it) and save a fortune. It’ll certainly pay for itself shortly!
@Tadlem43 Good thought! Since I’m retired I don’t much notice holidays. I’ll definitely wait till next weekend to make a decision. I’ve been toying with the idea of a couple of hours pickup truck rental from Home Depot ($20hr) which would take off the pressure of needing it delivered. I need a wooden trellis, a kiddie pool for dog bathing, and a few other things I can’t put in my Civic coupe. Preorder everything online so I just have to pick it all up, drop it off and maybe load up some larger items for a dump run and back across town to Home Depot ought to be manageable in a couple of hours if I can co-opt one of the guys to help me.
It would be nice to get it hooked up in time to take advantage of Memorial Day sales on grilling meats. Boneless pork ribs generally drop below $1lb on grilling holidays.
@moondrake You can rent a small pickup from U-Haul for $19 a day. lol Can you tell I’ve done this before? I have a large SUV, but I think I’ve checked most of the options.
Good luck! You’ll LOVE having a freezer! (I think Walmart has some cheap kiddie pools. I got one last year for my pups. Check Craigslist for the trellis, but stay away from it for fridges and freezers…some have mold)
@Tadlem43 I could have sworn I checked them but you are correct. I can get an enclosed truck for that amount as well. I recall it ended up being about $45 after everything when I rented that truck to move my mom between foster homes, but I’d have it for a full day. Thanks.
Do you use Ibotta? If so, there are cash back offers for both Best Buy (in-store only) and jet.com.
@msklzannie I’ve looked at them but not signed up yet. A friend of mine likes them. I’ll have a look.
@moondrake If you do decide to get Ibotta, use a referral code from someone. You can get bonus rebates when your “team” reaches certain levels each month.
@msklzannie Oops, too late. My friend that uses it changed her number and her husband’s at work so getting a referral code would have been complicated.
@moondrake You may still be able to add them as teammates if both of you link Facebook to your accounts. I’m not sure about that though.
I think it really comes down to how big a body you plan on hiding in it. I’d suggest the larger model in case they bloat.
@cinoclav No need to hide bodies at home. I live a block from a 27,000 acre, 40 square mile state park.
@moondrake hahaahaha
https://slickdeals.net/f/10197360-insignia-5-0-cu-ft-chest-freezer-white-100-free-store-pickup
$100
@connorbush Thanks! Today I ordered a 5cf Haier from Walmart, free delivery to my home, $150. It’s a familiar brand name and the home delivery simplifies my life. Thanks so much to everyone who helped me make the decision.
@moondrake awesome! Insignia is best buy 's store brand