Chest freezer

[Bean Counter]

Anybody have one of these? http://www.homedepot.com/Appliances-Kitchen-Appliances-Freezers/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbv2qZ677i2/R-100598963/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Its $60 cheaper (ie, 33%) than the one at Costco for $230.  Only has a one year warranty compared to Costco's anytime any reason warranty, but I don't know if I want to pay an additional 33% for it.

Other ideas? 

[Bean Counter]

Wow, don't everybody reply at once 

I got a used General Electric upright freezer from Cl for $100. Its 10 years old, but I'm hoping GE's name on it means it will last. Should be much easier to dig around for what I want than a chest freezer.

[Ihuntelk2]

Welch's used appliances oly wa...i got a 14cbft standup for 150 and a 1 yr warranty awesome....

[CAMPMEAT]

Get a good sized chest freezer. That seems kinda small from what the cubic feet are. They're reasonably priced and well worth the money. Mine burned out and my wife got an upright freezer. No room...

[Antlerking]

The only bad thing about a chest freezer is having to dig thru it, most of the time what you need tends to be on the bottom.  

[Bean Counter]

Yes, I like the ability to organize this standup freezer. However, keep in mind that a chest freezer is much more energy efficient, since cold air doesn't pour out of it each time you open it. Also, in the event of a power outage, your items will remain cold much longer.

[Jason]

Yes, I like the ability to organize this standup freezer. However, keep in mind that a chest freezer is much more energy efficient, since cold air doesn't pour out of it each time you open it. Also, in the event of a power outage, your items will remain cold much longer.

didn't know there was a difference, they both have doors, you have to open the door on both to access the inside, does the cold air not escape when you open the door on a chest freezer?

[Michelle_Nelson]

It kinda makes sense.  Cold air sinks and hot air rises.  You open a chest freezer there really isn't anywhere for the cold to go.   So it doesn't loose as much cold.  Test this threory.  Stand in front of a chest freezer and open it.  Than next to an upright and open the door.

For Taxidermy purposes I prefer a chest freezer because I can get a lot more stuff in them.  Plus I am dealing with bigger items.  For home use I like an upright.  I can keep it more organized with baskets and such.   I am dealing with smaller items and when you have to dig through 200 little packages of meat to get to the steak at the bottom it is a royal pain in the butt.  NEVER get a "Frost Free" freezer.  For long term storage it will freezer burn stuff much faster.

[high country]

I have a HUGE chest freezer. it is nice being able to drop critters in there during the hot months if I need to. mine is 6' long 34" wide and 40" deep......I would not suggest one as big as mine. I keep several....as in 50ish gallons of ice in there to fill space and it is still big.

[Bean Counter]

...NEVER get a "Frost Free" freezer.  For long term storage it will freezer burn stuff much faster.

 

I did a little reading on this and I am 100% with Michelle. Apparently all a frost free freezer does is warm up and thaw out a bit, then refreeze.    building up that layer of frost avoids mini cooking episodes of your meat and also insulates better and therefore saves energy. Its probably also a good thing to have to review what's in your freezer once or twice a year. 

......I keep several....as in 50ish gallons of ice in there to fill space and it is still big.

I also am with this--not only will it keep your energy costs down, but in the event of a power outtage, it will help keep your stuff cold until the power comes back.