Meat can quickly turn bad if you do not follow proper storage protocols for it. If you want to store it for a long period of time or even months on end, then using a freezer is the best option for you.
Keeping the meat that you buy in the freezer can allow you to retain its quality. Whenever you want to consume it, you can simply take it out and let it thaw a bit.
This can also be a great option for you if you are used to buying meat in bulk, allowing you to save money on buying meat for the near future.
So, what is the best freezer for meat storage? What do you look for and which options should you consider? Let’s find out!
Best Freezer for Meat Storage
There are several freezers for meat storage in the market that you can pick from. We have compiled and reviewed some of the best ones for you so that you can make an easy decision. You can go through these below.
Whynter CUF-210SS Stainless Steel Compact Freezer
This freezer is a standalone unit that you can make use of for storing and freezing your meat as well as other necessary items. With a capacity of 2.1 cubic feet, this freezer is a good enough size if you want to keep it aside just for meat storage.
It comes with a handle that keeps the door flush against the structure. It has a compressor for efficient cooling, temperature controls, removable shelves, cylinder lock and keys as well as a manual defrost setting.
It further comes with an Energy Star rating and a quiet functioning that can allow you to use it in an energy-efficient manner.
Features
● Color: Stainless steel
● Weight: 47 pounds
● Dimensions: 17.5” x 20” x 27.5”
● Door Orientation: Reversible
● Capacity: 2.1 cubic feet
Pros
● It has a noise level of fewer than 45 decibels, ensuring that its daily functioning will not disturb your routine.
● It comes with a lock and key that can provide a good amount of security to the freezer.
● It has removable shelves, giving you control over the space inside.
● It is efficient, allowing you to save energy and money on bills.
● It has several manual settings that you can adjust as per your needs
Cons
● Some issues have been reported about the door.
Northair Upright Freezer
The Northair Upright Freezer is another standalone unit that you can keep aside for your meat storage needs. It has an internal capacity of 3 cubic feet, making it pretty spacious in case you want to store other foods as well.
At the same time, its compactness can allow you to keep it in a suitable location in your house. It has a quiet and effective compressor as well as an efficient functioning that can help you save energy and money.
It has manual temperature controls, a reversible door, removable shelves as well as an evaporator shelf.
Features
● Color: Black
● Weight: 53.2 pounds
● Dimensions: 20.3” x 22.5” x 32.4”
● Door Orientation: Reversible
● Capacity: 3 cubic feet
Pros
● It has a noise level of up to 38 decibels, ensuring quiet functioning.
● It comes with adjustable feet in case you want to adjust the height from the ground.
● It has two removable shelves for controlling the space usage inside.
● It has reversible door hinges for convenience.
● It has a large enough capacity while still maintaining a compact build and structure.
Cons
● It can be slightly heavy.
Danby Diplomat DCF050B1WM Chest Freezer
The Danby Diplomat freezer is a chest freezer that opens from the top, making it deep enough for you to store your meat. You can also place it in any part of your house, such as your kitchen, bedroom or even garage.
This unit can work well in temperatures ranging from 0°F to 110°F. It also comes with a good energy rating and has foam insulation that can prevent energy loss. The manual defrost, external adjustable thermostat and drain can add to this as well.
This chest freezer comes with an included wire basket to create a distinct shelf.
Features
● Color: White
● Weight: 58.86 pounds
● Dimensions: 20.5” x 27.4” x 31”
● Door Orientation: Top
● Capacity: 5 cubic feet
Pros
● It comes with adjustable feet in case you need to alter the height from the ground.
● It is simple to use due to its external thermostat, manual defrost and mount drain.
● It comes with a basket that you can use to structure the inside of the freezer better.
● It comes with foam insulation to ensure energy efficiency.
● It has a deep storage space of 5 cubic feet, making it versatile enough for your storage needs.
Cons
● The bottom contents can be a bit inaccessible due to the top door.
Kismile 5.0 Cubic Feet Chest Freezer
The Kismile freezer is a chest freezer unit that you can place in any part of your house. It has a storage capacity of 5 cubic feet along with an externally adjustable thermostat with seven different temperature settings.
The door of this freezer can open up at an angle from 45 to 90 degrees, making it easy to access the contents of the freezer. You can do this in a noise-free way, with the rest of the functioning of the freezer also having this kind of efficient and quiet feature.
This freezer runs on low power and can help you save energy and money on bills. It further comes with a wire storage basket for better organization.
Features
● Color: White
● Weight: 57.54 pounds
● Dimensions: 27.3” x 21.7” x 32.9”
● Door Orientation: Top
● Capacity: 5 cubic feet
Pros
● It has a good storage capacity for your meat storage needs.
● It comes with an adjustable thermostat and a water drain to make usage easier.
● The hinged door opens up at various angles for better access to the contents.
● It runs on 0.6 kWh on a daily basis, ensuring energy efficiency.
● It emits noise below 40 decibels, ensuring quiet functioning.
Cons
● The bottom contents can be a bit inaccessible.
Midea MRC050S0AWW Chest Freezer
This chest freezer has a capacity of 5 cubic feet, allowing you to store plenty of meat for a long period of time. It has an external water drain as well as an adjustable thermostat.
The hinged door can open from an angle of 45 degrees to that of 75 degrees. It includes a quiet and efficient compressor that can make cooling more effective.
There is also an additional wire basket that you can get through this purchase to make your internal storage more organized.
The handle is recessed to keep the door flush against the rest of the unit.
Features
● Color: White
● Weight: 68.9 pounds
● Dimensions: 24.7” x 21.7” x 33.5”
● Door Orientation: Top
● Capacity: 5 cubic feet
Pros
● It is simple to operate due to its adjustable thermostat and defrost drain.
● It has a quiet compressor that can minimize noise disturbance.
● It has a large storage capacity.
● It offers energy efficiency through its cooling technology.
● It comes with adjustable legs if you want to change the distance of the freezer from the floor.
Cons
● It is quite heavy.
What to Look For in a Freezer for Meat
Now that you know about some of the options for the best freezers for meat storage, you might be wondering what you should look for when it comes to choosing one for yourself. You can go through some of these factors below.
Freezer Burn and How to Avoid It
Freezer burn takes place on meat when the meat ends up losing moisture due to the long time it spends in the freezer. This can lead to dehydration, making the meat lose some of its quality. Although you can still consume it, it will not be as effective.
In order to avoid this kind of freezer burn on your meat, it is important to keep the temperature of the freezer at less than 0°F so that you can prevent large crystals from developing on the meat. Thus, it can help to have an adjustable thermostat.
You must also ensure that you wrap the meat up properly, consume it in time and avoid fidgeting with your freezer door too much to avoid freezer burn.
Best Way to Freeze Meat
To figure out the best way to freeze meat, you can go through the following steps.
● Keep it in the refrigerator before putting it in the freezer,
● Get rid of store packaging and wrap it up in plastic, freezer paper, foil or other suitable wraps instead.
● It can help to double wrap the meat to prevent it from spoiling, especially if you plan to store it for a long time.
● Do not leave any air inside your packaging as this could lead to freezer burn.
● Mark different kinds of meat accurately so that you know what it is and when you first stored it.
● Control the temperature of the freezer.
Design
The design of your freezer depends on the kind of requirements that you have. For instance, make sure you decide between a chest freezer and an upright freezer based on where you plan to install it and how accessible you want your food to be.
The color of the freezer might also matter to you if you want to match it with the other decor or objects in the room. Make sure you also consider how big you want your freezer to be since it is likely to take up space in your room.
Energy Consumption
It is important to ensure that your freezer does not consume too much power or energy while functioning as this could not only be harmful to the environment but can also cost you quite a bit in terms of your energy bills.
For this, you should confirm that the freezer you are considering has a good energy rating so that it can consume less power on a daily basis while still functioning well. You should also look into the compressor and noise level of the freezer to confirm that the overall functioning is quiet and efficient.
Features
There might be several additional features that can add to the quality of your freezer. For instance, having removable shelves can help you control how you use the space inside the freezer better, making it easier for you to organize and store different meat sizes.
Similarly, if you opt for a chest freezer, make sure that it has a wire basket to help with organization.
Adjustable thermostats and defrost drains are also essential.
Capacity
How much capacity your freezer should have ultimately depends on your storage requirements. If you tend to buy meat in bulk and keep it in storage for a long time, then go for larger capacities such as 5 cubic feet or more.
Maintenance
You will also need to pay attention to the maintenance requirements of your freezer. If your unit comes with a water drain, evaporator and good cooling technology, then this can make it much easier for you to maintain the quality of the freezer as well as the meat.
Removable shelves and baskets can make cleaning easier. You must also confirm the warranty period and servicing needs so that you can access repairs and replacements conveniently.
Cost
How much your freezer costs will vary according to the brand, features, quality, capacity and your own requirements. However, make sure you do not skimp on the quality just to buy a cheaper unit as this could end up costing you more in the long run.
If you have limited needs and a tight budget, however, then lower ends of the price range might be sufficient.
Final Remarks
Through this detailed guide, we have taken you through some of the best freezers for meat storage as well as what you should consider before buying them. You can now make an informed decision and buy the freezer of your choice.
Make sure you account for the short-term as well as long-term costs while also taking your own requirements into account. Store your meat well to prevent it from spoiling too!
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