|
Forum Posting Policy | Forum Codes | Our Advertisers | Sales & Announcements | Member Groups | P'insane Leaderboard | Contact Admin
deep or upright/extra freezers |
Post Reply 
|
Page 12> |
| Author | |
wecova 
P'infatuated 
Perennial Pinner 2 years 247 days Joined: 01 Mar 2007 Posts: 572 |
 Quote Reply
 Topic: deep or upright/extra freezersPosted: 20 Sep 2009 at 11:20pm |
|
On the other healthy eating thread people are talking about buying meat in co ops and so on. I was /have been/ am considering buying an additional freezer. Though I know the environmental impact cannot be good, I was curious if anyone has found it to be cost effective in every other way?
Do you own one? What kind? Do you keep it organized? WHat do you put in there? I know that you can freeze milk; I think gallon size as well as 1/2 gallon paper kind. Meat. block cheese, but if you try to shred it later I think it doesn't shred well. Uh, what else? Thanks!
Weeee |
|
|
Mom to DS 2/3/95, DD 5/1/03, and DD 4/19/07. Wife of 18 years to DH. DD due late Oct.
|
|
 |
|
|
RebeccaL
P'invaluable 
Perennial Pinner 4 years 291 days Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 15552 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 20 Sep 2009 at 11:41pm |
|
I have a chest freezer. In addition to the things you listed, I freeze bread. I don't freeze cheese as I never buy that much ahead on that.
|
|
 Rebecca, accounting student, musician, GF to Andre. PM me if you want to add me on face book.
|
|
|
|
|
blondeviolin
P'insightful 
Member Rating(5)  Perennial Pinner 3 years 213 days Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Posts: 2619 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 21 Sep 2009 at 12:29am |
|
I have an upright that my parents gave me. It's older than I am. LOL I store meat, frozen veggies, frozen juice, cheese (and it usually thaws well...especially if you shred it before you freeze it), bread, ice cream, etc, etc.
One rack is beef (mostly ground), one rack is chicken (mostly boneless skinless breasts), one rack is pork and roasts, one rack is frozen veggies, one rack is miscellaneous, the door holds juices, lunch meats, pepperoni, etc.
|
|
|
Cherstin
Proud USAF wife and SAHM Abby (05.06), Emmett (10.07) and Ellie (07.29.09). "The righteous molding of an immortal soul is the highest work we can do, and the home is the place to do it." |
|
|
|
|
moonangel12
P'incredible 
Member Rating(18) Yearlong Pinner 1 year 226 days Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4974 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 21 Sep 2009 at 7:28am |
|
I am really wanting to get one! My in laws have a cow butchered every year and there is never enough room for it between 4 households so our main freezer is usually half full of beef leaving little room for other items. I am sure it would be cost effective (at least for us it would be) so I don't think much of the added utilities or anything. Just think how much gas you would save not having to run to the store for dinner when you realize you're out of something (it's a 20 min drive for us which adds up quick). If I had the extra cash I would buy one today, no question! Ideally I want to get to the point that I have a well enough stocked fridge, freezer, and pantry to go at least a couple of weeks without going to the store (without having to be crazy creative with food items... real, planned out meals).
|
|
|
Probably NAK Renee Wife to Kevin ~ 6/25/05 SAHM to Joah ~ 8/06/07 and Morgan ~ 5/06/09 |
|
|
|
|
musicmama
P'integral 
Member Rating(8) P'insane  Yearlong Pinner 1 year 280 days Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Location: United States Posts: 9972 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 21 Sep 2009 at 9:52am |
|
We plan to buy an upright one, mostly because it's easier to see and get to the contents. We're hoping to shop at a meat store and get larger quantities at once. Plus, we do shop at Sam's, and occasionally can't get things we might want because of lack of freezer space.
|
|
|
Christine
DS1 "G"-1/06, DS2 "D"-1/08, #3 due 4/10 |
|
|
|
|
nwmama
P'incredible
Member Rating(8) Perennial Pinner 2 years 259 days Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Location: WA Posts: 5680 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 21 Sep 2009 at 11:53am |
|
I'm torn between an upright and a chest freezer too but we aren't actually shopping for one now since the freezer broke this week |
|
|
Beth
Helpmeet to Carl and mama to Elias (23.01.07), Anna (18.04.08), and Sami (11.09.09) |
|
|
|
|
BrittanyM
P'infatuated
Member Rating(10) Yearlong Pinner 1 year 87 days Joined: 25 Aug 2008 Location: California Posts: 920 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 21 Sep 2009 at 12:39pm |
|
A chest freezer is more cost efficient and will keep things longer since it is colder... we actually just bought one this weekend. Even though there are only 3 of us (me, DH and DD who is 8 months) it is worth it because we live 30 minutes from the store and 50 minutes from Costco. Also since we buy beef in bulk from my BIL and were having to pay locker rent. FYI we got ours for a pretty good price (they are expensive nowadays) from Sears Outlet.
|
|
|
Wife to Timothy (since 10/07) and Mommy to Tirzah (12/31/08)
|
|
|
|
|
taowensf
P'investigator 
Member Rating(54) P'insane Perennial Pinner 4 years 174 days Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Location: IN Posts: 11334 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 21 Sep 2009 at 1:00pm |
|
I would love to get one, but we don't have space currently. Eventually though we'll be freezing mainly meat, and then veggies and fruits. Oh, and we keep butter and cream cheese in the freezer too. My mom likes to freeze box cake mixes--but she never remembers she has them!
|
|
|
~Tess~ mama to one little girl
"A person's a person, no matter how small." -Dr. Seuss |
|
|
|
|
taowensf
P'investigator
Member Rating(54) P'insane Perennial Pinner 4 years 174 days Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Location: IN Posts: 11334 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 21 Sep 2009 at 1:00pm |
|
And flour is good to keep refrigerated or in the freezer too, especially whole wheat, and other high-protein content flours.
|
|
|
~Tess~ mama to one little girl
"A person's a person, no matter how small." -Dr. Seuss |
|
|
|
|
moonangel12
P'incredible
Member Rating(18) Yearlong Pinner 1 year 226 days Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4974 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 21 Sep 2009 at 1:14pm |
That's the other reason I want one! Home Depot has a few decently priced options, plus some have free shipping! |
|
|
Probably NAK Renee Wife to Kevin ~ 6/25/05 SAHM to Joah ~ 8/06/07 and Morgan ~ 5/06/09 |
|
|
|
|
wecova
P'infatuated
Perennial Pinner 2 years 247 days Joined: 01 Mar 2007 Posts: 572 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 21 Sep 2009 at 1:39pm |
|
I have heard that the chest freezer is best. I want one with a lock. My gma had an upright and she jam packed that thing and then when she passed it was amazing what she had in there! Holy cow!!!!
I hadn't thought of sour cream, but did think of cream cheese, bread, flour, and butter. yes! Oh, and thanks for reminding me that you can shred the cheese before you put it in there (duh).
I think I secretly fear one of my kids falling into the check freezer, but I also know that they can hold quite a bit for their width/length which is a bonus.
I might need to check out the local Sears Outlet, but the local Lowe's has some good ones, and so does Cosco.
Weee
|
|
|
Mom to DS 2/3/95, DD 5/1/03, and DD 4/19/07. Wife of 18 years to DH. DD due late Oct.
|
|
|
|
|
anricat
P'investigator
Member Rating(26) Yearlong Pinner 1 year 246 days Joined: 19 Mar 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3073 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 21 Sep 2009 at 2:18pm |
|
We have an upright freezer in the garage. If something is on sale, I buy it and keep it out there. Anything from breads to meats to already frozen stuff. I also stock up at Costco and put those items out there.
In addition, we just had a local Bob's Red Mill co-op. I got so much flour, corn meal, oats, flax, etc. and it's completely filling my freezer. It's awesome! |
|
|
Summer
SAHM to Emmaline - born 7/4/08. Little Baby Bat - cute baby/toddler hats PM me for a discount for Pin members. |
|
|
|
|
happymamaof2
P'infatuated
Perennial Pinner 2 years 14 days Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Location: MA Posts: 623 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 21 Sep 2009 at 2:52pm |
|
I organize my upright freezer very similarly to Cherstin (blondeviolin). I also shred my cheese in 1 cup increments and it always thaws very well. And like Rebecca I freeze my bread so that I can always have extra on hand (we go through a lot of bread!) I am so happy we have our freezer because I can stock up on good sales without thinking twice.
|
|
|
Amy
Wife to Barry (5/01), SAHM to Ryan (3) and Katelyn (2) |
|
|
|
|
renataka
P'insightful
Yearlong Pinner 1 year 165 days Joined: 04 Jun 2008 Location: Silicon Valley Posts: 1223 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 22 Sep 2009 at 11:35am |
|
Chest freezers are remarkably energy efficient. And ours is so stuffed full, there's no way we could get a kid in there, let alone a loaf of bread!
Before you buy one, though, make sure you can reach your arm all the way to the bottom. Uprights are not very efficient, but much easier to get at stuff - things don't get lost as easily. BTW, freezing butter makes it much easier to grate - for pie crusts, scones, etc. |
|
|
Rena, mom to The Barbarians Sept05 and Feb07. Call us if you need anything destroyed!
|
|
|
|
|
moonangel12
P'incredible
Member Rating(18) Yearlong Pinner 1 year 226 days Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4974 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 22 Sep 2009 at 1:46pm |
Good point about the depth... That is an awesome tip I would have never thought of!! OK, I'm going hijack if you don't mind... what size to get? Sears had a 5cf for under $200, but would that be enough?? |
|
|
Probably NAK Renee Wife to Kevin ~ 6/25/05 SAHM to Joah ~ 8/06/07 and Morgan ~ 5/06/09 |
|
|
|
|
BrittanyM
P'infatuated
Member Rating(10) Yearlong Pinner 1 year 87 days Joined: 25 Aug 2008 Location: California Posts: 920 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 22 Sep 2009 at 1:51pm |
|
5cf is very small, I don't think that would be enough... at least not the way I picture you!
 Even twelve is pretty small, but that is better... we got the 19.7cf for $600 (that includes tax).
|
|
|
Wife to Timothy (since 10/07) and Mommy to Tirzah (12/31/08)
|
|
|
|
|
moonangel12
P'incredible
Member Rating(18) Yearlong Pinner 1 year 226 days Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4974 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 22 Sep 2009 at 1:56pm |
|
Ack! 12cuft! I don't think we have room for one that size! Nor do we have the budget, unfortunately. I was thinking the 5 would be too small - it won't hold much beef from what I could tell! I asked the lady how much cow it would hold, just to see her reaction!
 I don't buy too too much stuff in advance - I would mainly have it for meat (beef, obviously, and others when it was on super sale), flours (from Costco, not enough storage in our kitchen and what little we do have has some persistant moths I can't get rid of!), and other items. I know if I get one too big we'll have a hard time finding a place to put it, plus stuff will get lost and so I'll end up wasting money if I'm not careful.
|
|
|
Probably NAK Renee Wife to Kevin ~ 6/25/05 SAHM to Joah ~ 8/06/07 and Morgan ~ 5/06/09 |
|
|
|
|
BrittanyM
P'infatuated
Member Rating(10) Yearlong Pinner 1 year 87 days Joined: 25 Aug 2008 Location: California Posts: 920 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 22 Sep 2009 at 1:59pm |
|
Yeah, I understand... ours is outside on the porch. 5 def wouldn't hold too much beef or flour. Lol about asking her how much cow it would hold!
|
|
|
Wife to Timothy (since 10/07) and Mommy to Tirzah (12/31/08)
|
|
|
|
|
HopeMomma
P'insightful
Member Rating(10) Yearlong Pinner 1 year 309 days Joined: 16 Jan 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1812 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 22 Sep 2009 at 2:12pm |
|
We have a 21 sf upright, and couldn't live without it. The ONLY time we buy meat is when it's on sale, and my mother can find rediculous prices on meat where she lives and brings it to us. I pop it in the freezer, and use it when I want to.
We freeze bread too. We use LOT, so we buy when we get down to 1 loaf in the freezer.
It also allows us to buy frozen veggies in bulk at Sams.
Oh, and I make freezer jam in the spring with fresh strawberries. I make about 50 jars... 20 of them small jars to give as Christmas gifts. Teacher's gifts, solved! (We currently have 15 teachers between 2 kids at church and school.) I make it with just a touch of sugar and fruit juice, so I KNOW what my kids (and me) are eating.
|
|
|
~Andrea in NC ~Mommy to Caleb (8/10/04)
Leslie Grace (10/9/07) LO #3 due 5/10!! |
|
|
|
|
Sarah2106
P'incredible
Member Rating(13) P'insane Yearlong Pinner 1 year 175 days Joined: 29 May 2008 Location: Rocky Mtn High Posts: 6083 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 22 Sep 2009 at 3:40pm |
|
I would love an upright.
We have a small chest freezer right now. It does its job really well, but it is a pain and I "loose" food in it all the time. In our old house it was all that would fit in the location we wanted to put it so we went with the chest freezer, but if I could get one again I would go with an upright. We have a 7 Cu. Ft. freezer. It isn't huge by any terms, but it works fine for us. At one point I had 2 turkeys, 3 fryer chickens and other meats in there. I pretty much just use mine for stocking up and freezing meats. Edited by Sarah2106 - 22 Sep 2009 at 3:42pm |
|
|
Wife & Mom to 2 crazy kids.
Using cloth PT for naps & bedtime. Hurray for PLing!! "Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person." Mother Teresa |
|
|
|
|
wecova
P'infatuated
Perennial Pinner 2 years 247 days Joined: 01 Mar 2007 Posts: 572 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 22 Sep 2009 at 11:11pm |
|
Yeah, I'm afraid of losing stuff in the chest, but it does advertise as the best alternative overal.
I def want to buy one for turkeys and hams and chickens, other meats, and staples. When it is "holiday time" and I have to buy the monstrosity, it generally requires an enormous amount of space in my frig which I hate!
The one thing that I hate: Dh got a "new" cable bundle, and they came out and helped themselves to our new electrical outlet we paid $60 for that we put in specifically for a garage frig or whatever. Grrrrrr . .those people!
Weee |
|
|
Mom to DS 2/3/95, DD 5/1/03, and DD 4/19/07. Wife of 18 years to DH. DD due late Oct.
|
|
|
|
|
KeepItSimple
P'investigator
Member Rating(4) Perennial Pinner 3 years 117 days Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Location: Heaven bound Posts: 3524 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 24 Sep 2009 at 2:51pm |
|
We have a small upright that belonged to our grandparents that must be at least 20 years old and is still going strong. I would prefer a chest, but I take what I can get. I love having it simply because we do buy so much in bulk. As long as you would use it to buy things that are a true savings then I think it is worth having one. You should look for a good used one before committing to a pricey new one though. One with a lock would be good too.
I not only bulk buy/acquire meats, but I also buy my tomato paste in #10 cans and make my own sauces which I put in the freezer for later use. And then there are breads, cheese (shred before freezing and add a bit of starch to prevent caking), veggies, make ahead meals... |
|
|
Jenny,
wife to Adam, 15 years SAHM to many 14, 12, 11, 9, 7, 5, 4, 2, 12-21-08 |
|
|
|
|
KeepItSimple
P'investigator
Member Rating(4) Perennial Pinner 3 years 117 days Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Location: Heaven bound Posts: 3524 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 24 Sep 2009 at 2:56pm |
|
One way to get a good deal is to head to the rich part of town and look for the low end models in the scratch and dent aisle and then make an offer. We did that for our dryer and got a huge discount. They were happy to get the "eye sore" out of the store. I actually should have offered even less since the manager didn't even hesitate when I made the offer I did. We did call around to several stores first though- just be patient and persistent.
|
|
|
Jenny,
wife to Adam, 15 years SAHM to many 14, 12, 11, 9, 7, 5, 4, 2, 12-21-08 |
|
|
|
|
wecova
P'infatuated
Perennial Pinner 2 years 247 days Joined: 01 Mar 2007 Posts: 572 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 24 Sep 2009 at 4:42pm |
|
Good advice, jenny!
oh, and the starch. How much for the cheese to amount of cheese? Weee |
|
|
Mom to DS 2/3/95, DD 5/1/03, and DD 4/19/07. Wife of 18 years to DH. DD due late Oct.
|
|
|
|
|
KeepItSimple
P'investigator
Member Rating(4) Perennial Pinner 3 years 117 days Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Location: Heaven bound Posts: 3524 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 24 Sep 2009 at 5:40pm |
|
Just enough for a light dusting. I usually put a little in the bag, then add the cheese- toss it around a bit and add more if needed.
|
|
|
Jenny,
wife to Adam, 15 years SAHM to many 14, 12, 11, 9, 7, 5, 4, 2, 12-21-08 |
|
|
|
|
cowboyswife
P'inductee 
Member Rating(1) Beginner Pinner 120 days Joined: 23 Jul 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 122 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 01 Oct 2009 at 3:36pm |
|
we have two freezers plus our fridge freezer....yup...for 2 people and a baby! (they came with the first house we purchased though...our $5000 house that was mostly furnished and came with fridge, stove and two freezers...and no, I didn't miss a zero there...its amazing what God can do!)
I have managed to basically fill them both up this year...frozen applesauce, shredded zucchini(everyone has extra to get ride of, so even if you don't grow it you can usually find some...makes the best chocolate cake ever!), beets, beans, peas, raspberries, I even froze some whole apples for fruit leather (we just put them in the vitamix with some raw honey, then spread on sheets and put in the dehydrator...yummy....again, the inlaws have all the equipment :D ), like someone else mentioned, I have frozen cheese, butter, homemade baby food, bread, buns, pureed squash and pumpkin for pies, all kinds of meat, and lots of soup/stew/chili...I find it easier to make a big batch of these things...so I freeze the extra. Anyways, I vote for a chest freezer, I would be totally lost without mine, its indispensable to our budget...there's no way we could live without stocking up on sale items!!
|
|
|
Wife to best hubby in the world since 08/07/06 and SAHM (for now and hopefully forever!) to Lorelei 19/02/09
|
|
|
|
|
elus0814
P'insightful
Member Rating(5) Beginner Pinner 287 days Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Location: Tyndall AFB, FL Posts: 2199 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 01 Oct 2009 at 6:32pm |
|
Do upright or chest freezers require a special electrical outlet like a dryer does?
|
|
|
Liz - SAHM to DD 9/04, DS 12/05, DS 03/09
|
|
|
|
|
cmkaba
Just Pinned 
Joined: 02 Oct 2009 Posts: 8 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 05 Oct 2009 at 9:27pm |
|
ohhh....HopeMamma Can you share your freezer jam recipe? the ones I have found always use too much sugar ! |
|
|
|
|
SunflowerMommy
P'inductee
Perennial Pinner 4 years 252 days Joined: 06 Mar 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 166 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 14 Oct 2009 at 4:04pm |
|
We have a chest freezer. It is divided into compartments for easy organization.
 We use it for our yearly side of beef, bread (we stock up from the bakery outlet, usually 20 loaves at a time as well as other buns, tortillas, etc.), other meats, bones for making soup, veges and fruit, flours and grains, butter, milk and the occassional bucket of ice cream.
Edited by SunflowerMommy - 14 Oct 2009 at 4:05pm |
|
|
Jill, mama to Mariah, Sarah, Noah, Isaiah and Mikayla
|
|
|
|
|
SunflowerMommy
P'inductee
Perennial Pinner 4 years 252 days Joined: 06 Mar 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 166 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 14 Oct 2009 at 4:05pm |
No |
|
|
Jill, mama to Mariah, Sarah, Noah, Isaiah and Mikayla
|
|
|
|
|
Post Reply
|
Page 12> |
| Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |
Powered by BuzzShops.
Copyright © 2000-2008, Diaper Pin. All Rights Reserved.
Topic Options
Anyway, Christine is right about the upright being easier to get into but from what I've heard a chest freezer keeps things longer.