Buzz
Buying a chest freezer is an excellent way to save money and reduce waste. It helps home cooks with a tight budget store essentials. However, many people, particularly apartment residents with old, inefficient appliances, mistakenly believe that chest freezers are too expensive and take up too much space, which stops them from making this useful purchase.
Chest Freezers Are More Budget-Friendly Than You Think
Whether you're on a budget or living in a tiny space, fitting a chest freezer into your life is very possible. The myth that these appliances are costly energy hogs simply isn't true. In fact, the initial cost is quite low—a new 5 cubic foot chest freezer typically costs around $200, which is less than the price of a stand mixer or food processor. With a little research, you can even find excellent deals.
Choose the Perfect Chest Freezer for Your Needs:
Frigidaire 7.0 Cubic Foot Chest Freezer
Galanze 5.0 Cubic Foot Chest Freezer
Insignia Cubic Foot Chest Freezer
New chest freezers often go on sale during the spring and summer, and used models can frequently be found on Craigslist for under fifty dollars. The operating costs are also minimal—many chest freezers use about 216 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually. In Hawaii, where electricity is the priciest, this totals around $70. If you live where electricity is closer to the national average of 13 cents per kilowatt-hour, expect to pay only around $30 per year. (If you’re curious about the cost breakdown, here's a helpful guide on how to calculate your energy usage.) And remember, a full freezer is more energy-efficient than an empty one. If you can’t fill it right away, try using freezer-safe containers filled with water or ice blocks as temporary fillers.
Chest Freezers Can Provide Extra Prep Space
Apartment kitchens tend to be compact, and space is often a premium, so the physical size of a chest freezer is a key factor. While they may not be tiny, chest freezers are well worth the room, especially if your apartment's refrigerator is both small and outdated. Most models are roughly 33 inches tall and 22 inches deep, with width depending on capacity. A cubic foot chest freezer, the smallest size typically available, is around the same size as a 30-gallon trash can, but it offers some extra prep space. If you can fit an IKEA kitchen cart, you can fit a chest freezer.
This applies to homeowners as well, but I specifically want to encourage renters to reconsider their views on chest freezers. If you're feeding a family on a budget or simply want the convenience of having extra freezer space, owning one can significantly enhance your daily life. Of course, make sure to crunch the numbers and do your homework, but most likely, you won't regret the decision.
