Many people have experienced the frustration of trying to cram one more thing into a freezer already packed full. Whether you live alone and freeze pre-made meals for easy weeknight access or whether your family fills up the freezer with popsicles and leftovers, it doesn’t take long to realize that a little extra freezer space could go a long way. A mini freezer is a great way to gain extra space without taking up too much room in your house. At less than half the size of a standard deep freeze, a mini freezer can be a low-profile addition to your kitchen, slipped into the back corner of your pantry or even kept in the garage. Some models are small enough to fit on a counter top and there are even tiny portable models that run with batteries and can be kept in your car. With a much lower power usage than a standard deep freeze a mini freezer is a cost-effective way to gain freezer space and it will not add much to your electrical bill.
There are many models of mini freezer currently on the market, and it is important that you find the one that works best for your lifestyle, your home and your budget. If you freeze a lot of food you might consider buying a slightly larger model. For example the Sundanzer DCF165 holds 5.8 cubic feet, and while that might not be considered ‘mini’ by all it is still smaller than a standard deep freeze. One advantage of this model is that it runs using a combination of battery solar power and a 15 Amp charge controller and will barely leave a dent in your energy bill. Because it does not require a standard electrical system this model is also a great choice for using in a cabin garage solar-powered home or other areas that are off the electrical grid. The price runs from $700 to over $1000 depending where it is bought and the 15 Amp charge controller must be purchased separately. While this makes the initial cost considerably more expensive than many mini freezers on the market, its low running cost means that in the long term a solar-powered freezer could save you money.
The Beverage Air CF031AF Mini Freezer
If you are looking for a smaller model or don’t have $700 to spend on a freezer the Sunpentown UF-160S offers a typical example of what is available. With 1.6 cubic feet of storage it is comparable in size to the freezer that comes attached to the average refrigerator. Many online retailers sell this model for less than $200, making it more affordable in the short-term than the Sundanzer model. While it may not be solar or battery-powered its small size means that it will not cost too much to run, as long as it is cleaned and maintained properly.
Those looking for a top-of-the-line chef quality appliance may consider a blast chiller such as the Beverage Air CF031AF. This 22-inch mini freezer is small enough to be kept on top of the counter and offers a blast chilling function that has been shown to preserve food better and for longer than the slow chilling process offered by most freezers. While it can be used to freeze both cooked and uncooked food quickly it can also be used as an instant chiller, a valuable timesaving tool in the making of pastries sauces and other culinary delicacies. The Beverage Air comes with a hefty price tag however, ranging from $4500 to over $5000 depending where it is bought, and is probably not suited to those looking for a simple storage device.
While these are only a few of the many options, they show the range of mini freezers currently available. Whether you need a bit of extra space or whether you are looking for something more specific there is sure to be a mini freezer that suits your needs.
