I don't know what suddenly got me thinking of this, but this morning I realized that we have room for a chest freezer. I think in the back of my mind I've been wanting to get one for a while. We could take better advantage of sale-priced meats and frozen foods, we could make ahead meals and freeze them for quick dinners, we could preserve garden produce this fall. It would be great!But I never thought that it would fit. We live in a relatively small apartment, and storage is limited. But this morning it hit me that we have a back patio with a plug, where a deep freezer would fit very well. And we also have a large enough dining room that would fit a freezer (I think I'd be more comfortable with it being inside, for safety). It would fit right next to the organ.
This realization opened a whole new dimension for me! So this morning I got online and did some research into the prices and specifications for various freezers. I can get a 5-7.2 cu.ft. freezer for under $200 (not including taxes and possible shipping). The only thing is - can we afford it? The price isn't as high as I was expecting, but I don't know if that's money that we can afford to scrape together right now. I would love to have a freezer. But should we get one now, or wait until Jeff gets a job? I don't like these big purchases, and trying to decide if they will fit into the budget.
On an unpleasant side note, I just barely looked out the window and was less-than-excited to see that there are large snowflakes falling prolifically. Had to scurry out and bring in my herbs so they don't freeze!
Back to the freezer - do any of you have a large freezer? What did you spend, and was it worth it? Pros and cons? Advice? Help me make a more informed decision!
7 comments:
DO IT!! You won't regret it! But I would look on Craigslist--and I personally wouldn't buy a deep freeze.
We bought one on Craigslist when Spencer was born and it is in our garage. We paid $30...and we keep it constantly packed with freezer meals, produce, and awesome buys from the store. I love being able to pull out a meal in the morning and have no prep, but still end up with a homecooked meal. And I love stocking up on things. I just couldn't ever go back to the 1 small freezer stage ever again....seriously.
The only con I see is that it might raise your utilities some--but to me, it's TOTALLY worth it! :)
Yeah, try craigslist.org, or go to thrift stores. Sure a new one would be more energy effiecient, but you can get a really nice one when Jeff has a job. We paid $100 for our big stand alone that is fully upright like a fridge at a thrift store when we moved here. I have a hard time keeping it stocked, I use stuff in there so much. Utilities would be a little higher, but just think, if it is kept outside the cooler temerature would help keep cost down, and then bring it inside in the summer maybe? Don't buy brand new right now, you'll probably find you need an even bigger one by the time you can afford a new one. Good luck!
wHAT I meant was that I wouldn't buy a deep freeze--we bought an upright and I can't imagine it any other way. SO nice to see things organized and have easy access!
Well, the things I was going to say have already been said... I lived with G'ma and G'pa for a year and (at the time, at least) they had a huge deep chest freezer. It held a LOT of stuff. But it can be really awkward to get things out of it because you might need something that's buried at the bottom. And I would definitely check out craigslist and freecycle. It may take a while to get something, but at least you can afford to wait, while you can't really afford to splurge all the way. I love our upright freezer and would not want to go back to only the freezer space that accompanies the fridge :)
We have a deep chest freezer....I love it except for the fact that it sucks trying to find things in it. If I could do it over again, I would get an upright one. Actually, I wanted an upright one in the first place but Joseph had always had a chest freezer growing up and that's what he wanted so that is what we got. Good luck with the decision making!
Yeah for freezers, for sales, and for make ahead and freeze homemade meals! Right now we have a chest freezer because it fits the space we had. Chest freezers can be well organized, but to me it takes a lot more work. Until now we have always had 2nd hand, upright models. Our best deal was a $50.00 freezer that lasted us from summer of 1979 - spring of 2006. It actually is still in use, just not for us. Anyway I would definitely say get 2nd hand and get an upright unless you get a free chest freezer:)
Hi Steph! I don't have a freezer like that, but I have always wanted one! :) I would vote to get one, but definately look around for the best price.
Hope you are having a good week! My youngest will be turning five tomorrow! Wow, time flies! :)
Talk to ya soon! :))
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