A freezer is not only a nice addition to an existing refrigerator with a freezer compartment, but also a very useful technique that can solve many pressing everyday problems. Freezers are powerful, spacious and practical.
The freezer will make it possible to make substantial stocks of provisions, which is especially important for a large family, as well as to abandon the conservation and other types of harvesting of the summer cottage harvest. Fresh frozen vegetables, fruits and berries will help compensate for the lack of vitamins in winter and significantly diversify the diet. And for those who are trying to eat right, the presence of this device will be a real salvation.
Content
Types of household freezers
All freezers are divided into two types by design method:
Vertical (cabinets) - outwardly similar to a standard refrigerator, but instead of the usual shelves, the internal space is organized using pull-out containers or compartments. The latter play an important role if you plan to freeze incompatible foods. Freezers are suitable for apartments as they save space and space.
Horizontal (lari) - resemble a chest. The freezer door rises horizontally, and inside either there are no compartments and the food is stacked all together or sorted into removable baskets. This technique is convenient for storing large-sized supplies, such as meat carcasses or large fish, without crushing them into pieces. It is often used in industry and commerce, but due to its versatility it is also suitable for home use.
There are two types of top-loading freezers - built-in and freestanding.
Free-standing units are comfortable and suitable for any room.
Built-in freezers are compact and versatile. The functionality of the device allows you to easily mount appliances directly into the kitchen set, without disrupting the overall design. Among the built-in models, the so-called cabinets are distinguished - low devices, as a rule, into four sections. Curbstones are good because they are easy to arrange, for example, under the countertop flush with other equipment to maintain the unity of lines.
Also, freezers differ depending on the operating temperature, capacity, performance and other parameters.
Functional features of the technique
Volume - measured in the number of liters that the unit can accommodate, it is common and useful. The latter is important. The minimum capacity for upright freezers is 50 liters, for horizontal freezers 100 liters. A capacity of 150 liters will be enough to store food for a small family. To make bulk stocks, you should count on a useful volume of 200-250 liters.
Freezing capacity - demonstrates the performance of the equipment, that is, how much fresh products the unit can freeze per day. Measured in kilograms. Standard units have a range of 5 to 25 kg / day. For a volume of 100 liters, a capacity of 5 kg is enough, for 150 liters - 10 kg, for 200 liters - 15 kg.
Working temperature - the quality of the freezing depends on it, including the appearance, aroma and taste of the products. Indicated on the front side of the device in the form of icons - stars and snowflakes, their number is proportional to the time during which the content will remain fresh. One snowflake - food cannot be stored longer than seven days, core temperature is -60C. Two badges are equal to -120From, the contents can be left for a month. Three - means the safety of supplies for 3 months at -180C. Four - food can be frozen for a year at -240C. Five - deep freeze at -320FROM.
Defrosting - manual method or No Frost system is possible. Manual implies the need to monitor the rate of ice accumulation and, when a critical point is reached, get rid of it. The No Frost automatic defrosting technology evenly maintains the temperature over the entire inner surface and does not need additional manipulations.
Compressor - there are one- and two-compressor devices. The latter option is found in two-chamber devices, which allows each of the compartments to set its own temperature or turn off one of the mechanisms to save energy.
Selection criteria for freezers
- Dimensions and number of compartments.
With a construction height of up to 85 cm, the freezer will have 2 to 4 compartments. This option is good for giving, if you do not intend to make a substantial stock of vegetables and fruits. The freezer height of 125 cm implies 5 sections - the optimal amount for keeping an average amount of food fresh. The 154 cm structure has 6 compartments with drawers of various sizes. Models with a height of 185 cm can have up to 7 compartments and can be designed to freeze a significant amount of food.
- Energy consumption class.
All electrical appliances are labeled with Latin letters in accordance with the amount of energy consumed per year. The classification is as follows: "A" - up to 80% energy savings, "B" - up to 50%, "C" - up to 25%, "D" - less than 10%. The most economical units are marked "A ++" and can significantly reduce electricity bills.
- Climatic class.
An indicator of the maximum and minimum environmental parameters at which the equipment is able to function without failures. The class of the freezer determines the conditions for its operation, and also indicates the most favorable temperature range and humidity. For home appliances, the following categories are possible: N - normal (10-320С), SN - subnormal (16-320C), ST - subtropical (18-380C), T - tropical (18-430FROM);
- Control.
Mechanical, electromechanical or electronic method is possible. Mechanical is done by adjusting the rotary switches. In electromechanical modes, the modes are switched with a thermostat. Electronic, the most convenient, allows you to control the equipment with buttons through the display or touch panel, reaching the utmost accuracy when setting the degrees.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
- The device allows you to make provisions for several weeks or months in advance, not only for family members, but also for pets;
- The freezer will solve the problem of purchasing food when living in hard-to-reach places;
- You can save money with frozen supplies;
- The freezer promotes a proper balanced diet due to the stock of seasonal products;
- The technique helps to solve the problem of vitamin deficiency;
- If you have a freezer, there is no need to process the harvest harvested in the summer;
- The camera is useful for storing fish and game.
Disadvantages:
- Increases electricity bills;
- Takes up space;
- Needs care and transportation in case of moving.
Which one is better to buy - a wardrobe or a chest?
Before choosing one of the models of freezing devices, you should determine which products will be stored in it - the same type or not. Because fish is not kept together with fruits, and meat is not kept with desserts. With a wide variety of supplies, it is better to choose a vertical unit that has divisions into sections and allows you to isolate products from each other. In the event that a freezer is needed to store one food category, then a more spacious chest should be preferred.
For an apartment, it is better to choose a small vertical structure - they are voluminous, easy to maintain, lightweight, consume less electricity and do not make a lot of noise. Products will always be fresh and odor-free. Freezers are equipped with shelves for easy storage of food, especially small items such as berries. In the chests, there are only hanging baskets that are hung on the walls and products from different categories are in close proximity to each other, which means that the aromas can mix. This problem is solved by packaging, but it is not always possible to pack large products. Also in chests, as a rule, there is no No Frost mode.
Horizontal devices, in turn, are more powerful, roomy, often equipped with a super-freeze function and are more mobile due to the presence of wheels. The chest door is always tightly closed due to its adhesion to the body under its own weight. When opening the sash, warm air does not get inside, as it tends upward and, during opening, mixes with cold vapors from the freezer. For inexpensive devices, the temperature can vary from -18 to -280C. Therefore, for a private house with a large economy, harvest or an impressive number of households, it makes sense to purchase a chest.
Main technical characteristics
| room | Specifications | Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Material | Plastic and metal with white, black, gray or silver finish. |
| 2 | Volume | Depends on the size of the unit. The popular horizontal loading models range in capacity from 150 to 500 liters. Top-loading freezers are available as compact, for 30-80 liters, and more spacious, for 150-300 liters. |
| 3 | Number of cameras | Vertical technology has one or two compartments. Horizontal devices are standard single. |
| 4 | Working temperature | Minimum -18 C, maximum (super freeze mode) -32 C. |
| 5 | Performance | Large capacity (from 15 to 25 kg / h) is distinguished by lari, as well as two- and single-chamber cabinets designed for a large load. Small devices are frozen to the minimum (-18 C) from 2 to 14 kg / h. |
| 6 | Energy class | The amount of electricity consumed depends on the capacity of the unit, the presence of automatic defrosting and other parameters. The most demanded and economical - A class. Less economical - C and B. If the description indicates D, then the device consumes electricity by 100%. |
| 7 | Compressor | Possible linear and inverter. The latter are more economical and quiet, but unstable to voltage surges. Linear ones are more expensive, but suitable for areas where there is no stable power supply. |
| 8 | Defrosting | Chest freezers and inexpensive cupboards are manually defrosted. Vertical models of the middle price category and above are equipped with the No Frost mode. |
| 9 | Number of branches | Cabinets have 3 or more compartments, including drawers. Chests can contain 2 to 4 baskets. |
| 10 | Climatic class | There are freezers of all climatic levels on the market, but not all freezers can function efficiently at ambient t below +10 and above +30 C. |
| 11 | The cost | At a price, equipment from Russian firms is cheaper than analogues from foreign manufacturers. The average price for a freezer cabinet is 25,000 rubles, a chest will cost an average of 18,000 rubles. |
What to look for when buying?
When purchasing equipment such as a freezer, it is necessary to consider additional options that also affect the practicality and reliability of the equipment:
- Emergency freezing - the ability to start an intensive mode, in which the temperature drops to -320C, and the food will freeze in a minimum of time;
- Fuse against voltage surges - evenly distributes voltage. Provides the durability of the equipment, preventing burnout when the power supply is suddenly turned on or off;
- Child protection - locks the control panel and prevents accidental or deliberate change of the set work program;
- Noise suppression - the operation of the compressor is accompanied by noise, which is the norm, but some units, due to their design, are able to significantly suppress the hum emitted by the mechanism;
- Sound and light indicators - notify about a power outage, changing settings, prolonged opening of the door, and more;
- Removable door - makes it possible to outweigh the sash by adjusting its opening from the left or right side;
- Built-in ice maker - the freezer is directly connected to the water supply system and ice cubes are frozen as needed;
- Antibacterial coating - stops the multiplication of mold and pathogenic microbes on the walls inside the unit, due to which there is no unpleasant smell and the products retain their freshness longer;
- Smartphone control - allows you to remotely regulate the operation of the device, change the preset parameters, receive information about the number of stored supplies;
- Battery - when disconnected from the power supply, it supports the operation of the equipment, due to which the freezer functions autonomously for some time.
Rating of quality models in 2020
Vestfrost VF-320-H
Manufacturer: Denmark
Useful volume: 206 l
Dimensions: width - 59.5, depth - 63.2, height - 155 cm
Productivity: 24 kg / day
Energy class - A +
Price - 29,000 rubles.
Single chamber freestanding silver freezer cabinet with electromechanical regulation. Minimum t0 mode -240C. Weight - 61 kg.
Advantages:
- high energy efficiency;
- there is a handle with a pusher;
- up to 18 hours of autonomous cold preservation;
- high power;
- with super freeze function;
- noise suppression;
- convenient organization of the internal space.
Disadvantages:
- manual defrosting;
- no ice maker.
Pozis FVD-257
Manufacturer: Russia
Capacity: 188 L
Dimensions: width - 60, depth - 60, height - 168 cm
Capacity: 9 kg / day
Energy class - B
Price - 22,000 rubles.
White freestanding top-loading 2-compartment freezer with electromechanical regulation and two compressors. Climatic level - N. Weight - 80 kg. Service life - 10 years. The warranty is 3 years.
Advantages:
- up to 7 hours of autonomous cold preservation;
- large capacity;
- corrected noise level;
- 6 sections;
- with reversible doors.
Disadvantages:
- significant energy consumption;
- manual defrosting method;
- there is no ice maker.
Bosch GUD-15-A-50
Manufacturer: Germany
Displacement: 100 l
Dimensions: w - 59.8, g - 54.8, h - 82 cm
Productivity: 12 kg / day
Energy consumption - A +
Price - 37,000 rubles.
White built-in single freezer-cabinet with electromechanical control and one compressor. Minimum performance indicators -180C. Warranty - 12 months.
Advantages:
- low power consumption;
- up to 24 hours of autonomous cold storage;
- sound and light indication;
- super freeze function;
- outweighed door.
Disadvantages:
- manual defrosting system.
Gorenje F-6181-AW
Manufacturer: Slovenia
Useful volume: 261 l
Dimensions: width - 60, depth - 64, width - 180 cm
Capacity: 25 kg / day
Energy class - A +
Price - 30,000 rubles.
Single vertical unit in white with electromechanical regulation and one compressor. Weight - 77 kg. 1 year warranty. Climatic level - SN, T.
Advantages:
- high energy efficiency;
- large capacity;
- up to 28 hours of battery life;
- light indication of increasing t0;
- the ability to outweigh the door;
- noise suppression;
- convenient organization of the internal space;
- 8 sections.
Disadvantages:
- lack of a No Frost system;
- no ice maker;
- there are no wheels for movement.
Indesit SFR-167-NF-C
Manufacturer: Italy
Capacity: 220 l
Size: width - 60, depth - 67, height - 167 cm
Productivity: 10 kg / day
Power consumption - С
Price - 30,000 rubles.
Single compartment white freezer, top loading, electromechanical. The minimum indicators are -180C. Climatic class - N, SN.
Advantages:
- with the No Frost system;
- up to 16 hours of autonomous cold preservation;
- super freezing;
- large capacity;
- with a reversible door;
- corrected noise level.
Disadvantages:
- significant electricity consumption;
- there is no ice maker.
Samsung RZ-32-M-7110-SA
Manufacturer: South Korea
Displacement: 315 l
Dimensions: width - 59.5, depth - 69.4, height - 185.3 cm
Capacity: 21 kg / day
Energy consumption - A +
Price - 46,000 rubles.
Silver single cabinet freezer with electronic regulation. Climatic class - SN, ST, T. Weight - 79 kg. 1 year warranty.
Advantages:
- can be controlled from a smartphone;
- with inverter compressor;
- handle with pusher available;
- with the No Frost system;
- low energy consumption;
- sound control of an open door;
- super freezing;
- large capacity;
- the presence of a display;
- there is protection from children;
- icemaker;
- hanging door;
- corrected noise level;
- 7 sections;
- antibacterial protection;
- autonomous energy saving up to 12 hours.
Disadvantages:
- great weight.
Liebherr GN-2323
Manufacturer: Bulgaria
Useful volume: 185 l
Dimensions: w - 60, d - 63, h - 144.7 cm
Productivity: 16 kg / day
Energy consumption - A +
Price - 36,000 rubles.
White freestanding single-compartment vertical freezer with electronic control. Climatic level - SN, T.
Advantages:
- there is a handle with a pusher;
- with No Frost mode;
- up to 14 hours of autonomous cold preservation;
- with reversible door;
- low power consumption;
- light and sound indicators;
- with emergency freezing function;
- corrected noise level.
Disadvantages:
- there is no ice maker.
Turquoise 560-VK
Manufacturer: Russia
Capacity: 461 L
Dimensions: width - 179, depth - 68, height - 81.4 cm
Capacity: 20 kg / day
Power consumption - A
Price - 23,000 rubles.
White freezer-chest with electromechanical control. Minimum indicators -180C. Weight - 64 kg. The warranty is 12 months. Climatic level - SN, T.
Advantages:
- autonomous preservation of cold up to 15 hours;
- 4 swivel castors;
- 2 baskets;
- corrected noise level;
- large capacity;
- significant energy efficiency.
Disadvantages:
- manual defrosting;
- no ice maker.
BEKO RFNK-290E23-S
Manufacturer: Turkey
Displacement: 290 l
Dimensions: w - 60, g - 65, g - 171 cm
Productivity: 16 kg / day
Energy consumption - A +
Price - 26,000 rubles.
Silver single electronic freezer cabinet. Weight - 70.2 kg. Climatic level - SN, T.
Advantages:
- low energy consumption;
- handle with pusher;
- with a No Frost defrost system;
- up to 18 hours of keeping cold in offline mode;
- t boost indicator light0;
- with super freeze function;
- protection from children;
- with outweighed doors;
- the presence of a display;
- corrected noise level;
- antibacterial coating.
Disadvantages:
- there is no ice maker;
- no useful volume information.
Liebherr SWTNes-3010
Manufacturer: Bulgaria
Useful volume: 247 l
Dimensions: width - 60, depth - 63, height - 185.2 cm
Capacity: 13 kg / day
Energy consumption - A +
Price - 130,000 rubles.
Silver two-compartment freezer cabinet with electronic regulation. Climatic class - SN, ST.
Advantages:
- with an ice generator;
- with wine cabinet;
- can be built into a headset;
- with inverter compressor;
- high energy efficiency;
- there is a handle with a pusher;
- with the No Frost system;
- autonomous preservation of cold up to 31 hours;
- light and sound indicators;
- with super freeze function;
- shelves made of natural wood and tempered glass;
- two temperature zones for wine.
Disadvantages:
- high price.
Review of budget freezers
DON R-103
Manufacturer: Russia
Volume: 104 l
Dimensions: width - 58, depth - 61, height - 85 cm
Productivity: 14 kg / day
Energy class - А
Price - 12,000 rubles.
Single freezer white plastic and metal with electromechanical control and manual defrosting. The refrigerant is isobutane. Minimum performance indicators -180C. Weight - 37 kg. Climate class - N.
Advantages:
- hanging door;
- corrected noise level;
- high power;
- low energy consumption;
- convenient organization of the internal space.
Disadvantages:
- no No Frost mode;
- no ice maker.
Hansa FZ-138.3
Manufacturer: Germany
Displacement: 80 l
Dimensions: width - 54.5, depth - 57, height - 84.5 cm
Capacity: up to 5 kg / day
Power consumption - A
Price - 14,000 rubles.
Freezer-cabinet in white, made of metal and plastic, electromechanically controlled with 1 compressor and 1 chamber. Climatic class - ST. Weight - 33 kg.
Advantages:
- reduced energy consumption;
- up to 10 hours of autonomous cold preservation;
- there is an antibacterial coating;
- the possibility of hanging the door;
- noise absorption function.
Disadvantages:
- manual defrosting;
- there is no ice maker.
Biryusa 210-VK
Manufacturer: Russia
Useful volume: 168 l
Dimensions: w - 93.6, d - 55.4, h - 81.4 cm
Productivity: 25 kg / day
Power consumption - V
Price - 13,000 rubles.
Freezer - chest with electromechanical regulation. Minimum indicators -180C. Weight - 35 kg. Climate class - N.
Advantages:
- simplicity of design;
- large capacity;
- good performance.
Disadvantages:
- significant energy consumption;
- manual defrosting.
Liebherr GX-823
Manufacturer: Bulgaria
Capacity: 68 l
Dimensions: w - 55.3, depth - 62.4, height - 63.1 cm
Capacity: 8 kg / day
Energy consumption - A ++
Price - 19,000 rubles.
Model of a white freezer with one compartment, top loading and electronic control. Climatic level - SN, T. Minimum indicators -180C. Warranty - 2 years.
Advantages:
- autonomous preservation of cold up to 18 hours;
- light and sound indication of increasing t0, power on and off;
- with super freeze;
- compact;
- there is protection from children;
- the legs are adjustable in height;
- with a reversible door.
Disadvantages:
- manual defrosting;
- no ice maker;
- there is no noise reduction.
NORD DF-161-WAP
Manufacturer: Ukraine
Displacement: 139 l
Dimensions: width - 57, depth - 62, height - 104 cm
Productivity: 10 kg / day
Energy class - A +
Price - 13,000 rubles.
Freestanding vertical single freezer with 7 modes, electromechanical regulation and one compressor. The minimum indicators correspond to -180C. Weight - 39 kg. The warranty is 2 years.
Advantages:
- high level of energy saving;
- antibacterial coating;
- overhanging the door;
- with protection against voltage surges;
- low noise level;
- two wheels at the back for easy movement;
- the presence of 3 sections and 1 folding curtain.
Disadvantages:
- manual defrosting;
- there is no ice maker;
- no useful volume information.
Stinol STZ-167
Manufacturer: Russia
Useful volume: 245 l
Dimensions: width - 60, depth - 66.5, height - 167 cm
Capacity: 12 kg / day
Power consumption - V
Price - 20,000 rubles.
Upright freezer white, one compartment with electromechanical regulation. The warranty period is 1 year.
Advantages:
- up to 16 hours of autonomous cold preservation;
- good performance;
- with super freeze;
- with door hanging function.
Disadvantages:
- significant energy consumption;
- there is no ice maker;
- there is no No Frost mode.
Bomann GB-388
Manufacturer: Germany
Capacity: 30 l
Dimensions: width - 43.9, depth - 47, height - 51 cm
Productivity: 3 kg / day
Energy class - A ++
Price - 12,000 rubles.
Stand-alone, compact, top-loading, single-compartment unit with electromechanical control. The refrigerant is isobutane. Minimum t0 equal to -180C. Climate class - N. Weight - 16 kg.
Advantages:
- high energy efficiency;
- a light weight;
- takes up little space;
- the possibility of hanging the door;
- low noise level.
Disadvantages:
- manual defrosting;
- there is no ice maker.
Gorenje FH-21-BW
Manufacturer: Slovenia
Displacement: 198 l
Dimensions: w - 80, g - 70, h - 85 cm
Capacity: 14 kg / day
Power consumption - V
Price - 19,000 rubles.
Chest with electromechanical regulation. Climatic class - T. Warranty - 1 year. Weight - 40 kg.
Advantages:
- autonomous preservation of cold up to 34 hours;
- with super freeze function;
- high performance.
Disadvantages:
- significant energy consumption;
- manual defrosting;
- there are no wheels for movement.
ATLANT М-7184-080
Manufacturer: Belarus
Useful volume: 240 l
Dimensions: width - 60, depth - 63, height - 150 cm
Productivity: 20 kg / day
Energy class - А
Price - 18,000 rubles.
Silver freestanding single freezer cabinet with electromechanical control. The minimum performance is -180C. Weight - 56 kg. 3 year warranty. Climatic level - SN.
Advantages:
- high energy efficiency;
- up to 14 hours of battery life;
- high freezing power;
- with super freeze function;
- outweighed door;
- 6 branches.
Disadvantages:
- no No Frost system;
- there is no ice maker.
Kraft BD (W) -225-BL
Manufacturer: Russia
Capacity: 205 l
Dimensions: width - 94.5, depth - 52.3, height - 85 cm
Capacity: 9 kg / day
Power consumption - A
Price - 15,000 rubles.
Single chest freezer with electronic regulation. The minimum indicators are -240C. Climatic level - ST. Weight - 31 kg. 1 year warranty.
Advantages:
- with super freeze function;
- corrected noise level;
- high energy efficiency;
- legs-wheels.
Disadvantages:
- manual defrosting;
- no ice maker.
How to choose a freezer?
You should not choose a unit with a larger volume than required. Large-sized devices differ not only in cost, but also in energy consumption.
When choosing a freezer with No Frost technology, food will have to be kept in food boxes or plastic vacuum bags because of the drier air than in models with a drip system. Also, despite the fact that the automatic defrosting system does not need manual defrosting, the equipment will still have to be disconnected from the power supply once a year and completely cleaned of dirt and dust accumulating on the walls.
Taking into account the climate of Russia and most of the CIS countries, you should choose devices with climatic classes SN and N for your home. For summer cottages, you can purchase equipment marked ST, especially if you plan to install the device in utility rooms.
Also, before buying, you should clarify which compressor is installed - inverter or linear. The principle of operation of the linear device is periodic - the freezer turns on, the mechanism starts to work at full power and, upon reaching the desired values, turns off until the internal thermometer detects a new rise in temperature. Due to such changes in energy, more energy is consumed and the motor wears out more. The inverter mechanism functions smoothly - when turned on, the compressor works when the required level is reached, and then switches to economy mode and works to maintain the indicators. At the same time, electricity is consumed economically and the freezer breaks less often.
Which company is better to buy?
The main mistake when choosing a freezer is trying to save money by trusting a dubious manufacturer. To avoid undesirable expenses for repairs and replacement of low-quality parts, you should give preference to equipment made by a reliable company that gives a guarantee for its goods.
According to buyers, the best manufacturers of freezing units are Liebherr (Bulgaria), Gorenje (Slovenia), BEKO (Turkey), Bosch and Bomann (Germany).
Good reviews are heard about the Ukrainian company NORD and the Belarusian ATLANT. The latter is represented by three lines of freezing equipment - Atlant Classic 71 Serie, Atlant Comfort 72 Serie and Atlant Table-Top.
Among the models of Russian production, devices from such companies as Biryusa, DON, Pozis, Stinol and Kraft are popular, the demand for which is due to an excellent ratio of price and quality.
The brands Hansa, Indesit, Samsung, Shivaki, Frostor, Haier, Bravo are also represented on the market.
The best recommendations were deserved by such variants of freezers as Biryusa 355VK, RENOVA FC-105, Gorenje FH 40 BW, Hansa FS100.3, Kraft BD (W) -225BL, Pozis FH-250-1. Biryusa 14, ATLANT M 7184-003, Liebherr G 1223, Gorenje F 6181 AX, Bomann GB388, NORD DF 165 IAP are leading among the cabinets.
Attention! This article is not a buying guide. The final decision to purchase a freezer should be made only after receiving specialist advice.
The husband is a fisherman and sometimes there is simply nowhere to store fish, but as you yourself understand, the freezer in the refrigerator is unsuitable for these tasks. Recently we are planning to buy a freezer. Thanks for the article, the choice became easier.