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Freezer Buying Guide

Covering everything from the different fitting types to the variety of sizes available, this freezer buying guide explores all the products on offer, making it simple for homeowners to find the right chiller for their home and lifestyle. Freezers have returned to popularity in post-pandemic Britain, as many families have started to preserve food to ensure it lasts until the next shopping trip. Here, we showcase the latest features that help reduce waste and include advice on selecting the best capacity, so it is easy to pick a model that will cater to a household’s needs.

Integrated

Concealed behind a door-front, integrated chillers will create a consistent design that makes a layout look sleek, seamless, and spacious.

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Integrated

Creating an uninterrupted and uniform look in a cooking area, integrated models are a stylish choice for trend-conscious homes or those inspired by minimal aesthetics. They are hidden behind a cupboard door, which removes visual distractions and creates a continuous effect that enhances the sense of space – great for compact layouts. This equipment requires proper ventilation to ensure it works efficiently, which is something an experienced trade professional can help with.

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- Tall
  
  Taller than other models, vertical chillers offer plenty of room for storing frozen food, making them a good option for large households.
  
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  Tall
  
  Tall designs are a popular choice for many households, as they offer the ultimate storage unit for large families, batch-cooking enthusiasts, or those that want to go longer between shopping trips. Thanks to the extra height, there are multiple shelves and drawer compartments to organise frozen goods, making it easy to see and grab whatever is needed – great for multi-generational homes. The bigger size also means they are more suitable to open and larger layouts.
  
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- Under counter
  
  With a space-saving design and modest capacity, under-counter models are a smart choice for compact layouts, couples, or those living solo.
  
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  Under counter
  
  Featuring a compact design, under-counter styles can be installed beneath a work surface to keep essentials within reach. They have a smaller capacity, suiting couples or singles who require less room for freezing groceries. This also means they are a good option for those who have larger chillers in other areas of the home or families that prefer to cook with fresh ingredients. These models take up little floor space, making them a smart choice in slim layouts.
  
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Frost free

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Frost free

A frost-free function uses a fan to keep cool air moving, preventing ice from building up, and taking up valuable storage space. This means there is no need to manually defrost the device, saving time and effort for busy households.

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Fast freeze

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Fast freeze

By rapidly lowering the temperature, a fast-freeze programme quickly chills fresh groceries, ensuring vital nutrients and flavours are locked in. It is a great trick for preserving ingredients that are near their sell-by date, reducing food waste.

Open door alarm

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Open door alarm

A door alarm makes a sound to alert the user that the chiller door has been left ajar. As well as stopping food from spoiling, this feature reduces the length of time cold air is left to escape, saving energy.
Temperature warning light

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Temperature warning light

If an issue causes the temperature of a machine to rise and become too warm, a warning light turns on. This allows homeowners to quickly adjust the settings to prevent food from defrosting and going off.

Star ratings

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Star ratings

Usually found inside the unit, star ratings indicate how long frozen groceries can be stored. Ranging from one to four - the higher the number, the colder the freezer. This means meals can be kept chilled for an extended period, depending on the food.
Transparent drawers

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Transparent drawers

Transparent drawers make it easy to see the contents inside without having to slide compartments out of the unit. This minimises the amount of cold air that can escape, reducing energy waste and keeping bills low.

Capacity

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Capacity

Capacity is a crucial factor when choosing a chiller, as it will make the biggest difference when it comes to reducing food waste. How much space you require depends on your household size, how often you shop, and how you like to cook. For those living solo, coupled up, or those that prefer ready meals, a smaller unit is more suitable. Bigger households or families that want to freeze bulky cuts of meat will need more room to store food, so a larger model works best.
Location

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Location

To ensure equipment is simple to use, place it in an area that is easily accessible. Positioning the unit next to a cooling device will make it straightforward to transfer fresh food for freezing or remove chilled meals for thawing. Remember to keep your machine in a cool location away from direct heat, like radiators and sunlight, to prolong its lifespan.

Energy efficiency

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Energy efficiency

Freezing equipment is switched on 24/7, making it one of the biggest contributors to energy consumption in a home or property. Investing in an energy-efficient model is the easiest way to reduce usage and lower costs. We recommend ensuring a device is always two-thirds full to keep it running efficiently.

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Ventilation

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Ventilation

Ventilation has a big impact on how well a device operates and how long it lasts, so it is an important element to get right. Integrated models need to have the back cupboard panel removed, and a plinth vent added to allow hot air to escape. They also require an opening at the top for airflow, which keeps the machine cool and ensures it works efficiently.

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