We have a chest type now i do not like it so much ,everything gets lost.We need a 2nd before the hogs go to butcher,i was thinking an upright,anyone use one?.How about ideas on how not to lose things in the chest type?, i was thinking laundry baskets or something along that idea.

-- renee oneill (oneillsr@home.com), October 31, 2000

Answers

milk crates work great. And tape a diagram of everything in the freezer to the inside of the lid. Keep dates with the inventory for you know which to use first

-- STAN (sopal@net-port.com), October 31, 2000.

I use an upright freezer. I had to because of space. The energy usage wasn't alot different than a chest freezer. I got mine back in the summer at Best Buy. They had a deal where if I changed internet service to msn you received an automatic $400 discount. I think we had to commit to 3 yrs. Well the freezer was about $300 and you had to use the full amount so I got an apartment size frig.. to store my eggs too. So I got a freezer and a frig. for about $100. We have been really happy with the appliances and msn.

-- Denise (jphammock@msn.com), October 31, 2000.

I, personally, prefer a full to bursting one.

-- Cheryl (bramblecottage@hotmail.com), October 31, 2000.

We have a large chest freezer and an upright. I prefer the chest. My Mom, who lives with us (in her own quarters), has a large upright and likes that because she's short and can't reach in a chest. I think I can get a lot more in the chest freezer. It has sliding baskets on two levels but if I don't put everything that's in the bottom in boxes it gets to be a mess and I can't find anything. Plastic boxes and baskets have never worked for me. They always break in the extreme cold. Cardboard works well and is free. Roasts in one, staples (like flour,sunflower seeds, etc) in one and veggies in another. Keeps them separate. I agree an inventory is a great idea but I've never gotten around to doing one.

-- Peg (wildwoodfarms@hushmail.com), October 31, 2000.

We have 2 chest freezers/ & they are my favorite as I can get tons more in a chest & it not fall out on my toes when I open the door! As you can tell we have had uprights before! I hate to try to stuff things in an upright & as your try to sort it falls out on your toes!!! A huge frozen something is heck with bare toes!!! I use baskets & dividers & mark & label & it is a million times easier in a chest for me & I can get a whole lot more in a chest--the only way I'd take an upright again is if someone gave it to me!!! ha Sonda in Ks.

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), October 31, 2000.

I can see why some people prefer chest type freezers but I prefer my upright. To me it is easier to find things, maybe because I'm only 4'11", you think?

-- bwilliams (bjconthefarm@yaoo.com), October 31, 2000.

I'm 5'9 so that may be why I pefer the chest type, also I never have to worry about something falling out when I open the door.

-- Lenore (archambo@winco.net), October 31, 2000.

Always have had a chest, and know that food stays fresher longer in them without as much freezer burn. We had tests done on frozen colostrum by the local zoo, and the chest frozen colostrum was still good after 8 months in it, where their colostrum (from my does) was not readable on the machine in an upright. But even with that I would like to have an upright for things I use alot. I haven't found a great system of organizing my deep freeze either, mostly because I am not the only one digging around in it :) Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), October 31, 2000.

We've had and used both types -- they both have pros and cons. The chest type holds more and maintains temperature in power failures, the upright is easier to find things in, but a lot of space gets wasted for me. I don't like fishing around in the bottom of the chest freezer upside down standing on my head, but I don't like the landslides of frozen foods cascading out of hte upright either. I'm wondering now that I've moved yet again, which is better. I'm afraid available floor space will be the determining factor.

-- Julie Froelich (firefly1@nnex.net), October 31, 2000.

My aunt always had a chest freezer, which I hated. Why? More than once I had to be hoisted up&out of it! Of course that was before I 'grew up' to be 5'3". We have 2 upright freezers, which I wouldn't trade for anything, except maybe a newer (to me) truck, maybe.

-- Phyllis (almostafarm@yahoo.com), November 03, 2000.

Well I have an upright for ease of access.I cannot bend or lift things up, bc of missing discs, so a chest freezer would be murder on me.This is something to think about, as you will eventually get older and less able.I try to plan for accessibility as well as other considerations, because I have to, but it"s a good idea for everyone to think about what their needs are going to be down the road.

Energy efficient uprights are available online, and while a little pricier, they make up for it in your energy bill.I don't have one,as I'd already had this freezer,but I would look hard at them if considering a new purchase.

-- sharon wt (wildflower@ekyol.com), November 03, 2000.