4 good tips for freezers
Cool food down before putting it in the freezer, and defrost food from the freezer in the fridge.
- Buying
Check the price and quality before you buy. These can varyenormously from appliance to appliance. Look for the Trust’s Energy Saving Label when you decide to buy, and be aware that the most energy efficient freezers are labelled A+ or A++. Also, check the energy consumption because this can vary somewhat, even if freezers are in the same energy class.
Buy a freezer that gives you the option of setting the temperature with an electronic thermostat. This provides the most accurate temperatreu. If you buy a fridge with a built-in freezer, the fridge and the freezer section should both have a thermostat; otherwise the temperature will not be accurate.
Check that the rapid freezing function automatically switches off after rapid freezing is complete. Many people forget to switch this off so the freezer runs continually. Note that a chest freezer uses 10% lees power than an upright freezer.
- Location
A freezer should, preferably, stand in a cold environment whenever possible and not against a warm object or be located in direct sunlight. However, not all freezers can operate in temperatures under 18° C so ask your retailer before you buy.
Freezers must be able to discharge heat into the surroundings, so they should not be built into a cupboard, for example. Some freezers need to have air along their sides, whereas others only need air at the back. You should therefore check what the producer recommends before buying your freezer.
- Use
The recommended temperature in a freezer is -18 °C. If you increase the temperature you will shorten the shelf-life of your food.
Don’t let the lid or door stay open for long, and defrost food from the freezer in the fridge when you can. This also has a positive impact on your energy consumption.
Cool food down before you put it in the freezer.
- Care and maintenance
Where possible make sure that no dust accumulates on the back of the freezer. Replace worn seals. However, not all seals can be replaced because some of them are glued or permanently attached. Defrost the freezer if there is more than 5 mm of ice, because ice causes the energy consumption to rise.
Page last updated 06.10.2008