Would you splurge for a chest freezer?

[slsurface]

Dh and I have rented for years and now finally own a home and have room for a small chest freezer in the basement. I can only fit a 7.2Cuft one down the basement stairs. Should I spend $200 for one? It's currently $30 off at Sears (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...rs&sName=Chest) I feel like it would be so useful to store food and buy in bulk when items are one sale. Thoughts?

[Alyantavid]

I couldn't survive with an extra freezer (or 2). I think they're completely worth it. You might see if you could find a used one cheaper though.

[thixle]

YES! That is going to be our first splurge when we move.
I haven't seen any cheaper near me, though

[oneKnight]

I got an upright free from my uncle because we feed raw and I thought it would be nice. Turns out I never put anything in it that won't fit into my regular fridge-freezer. It IS somewhat easier to find/organize in the nearly empty freezer, and frozen pizzas fit better, but I feel like it's using too much extra energy for what little benefit I'm getting. Right now all that is in it is some ice cream and about 30lbs of ice that I bought in case of power failure during the recent hurricanes.

[lucyem]

I would so use it if we had one. We always run out of room in our regular freezer in the fridge. We live in a rural area and prefer to buy in bulk. We kept on meaning to buy one and never got there. Once we move we plan on it for sure.

[dogmom327]

Yes! Having a chest freezer allowed me to get a side of beef (organic, grassfed) for about $3.40 pound for what I took home.

[deditus]

Goodness yes! I know there is a good amount of food available in bulk where you live (no, I'm not a creepy stalker, I met you at the GBC once when our babes were little and I have a good memory for names).

[slsurface]

Originally Posted by emgremore

Goodness yes! I know there is a good amount of food available in bulk where you live (no, I'm not a creepy stalker, I met you at the GBC once when our babes were little and I have a good memory for names).

Where do you buy in bulk? I've been trying to research this, but I'm having a hard time. I really want to stock up on flour for the winter to make bread.

[zinemama]

Look on Craigslist first. We got our (fairly new) Kenmore for $50 and it works great.

[Aliviasmom]

I have one...and I think it's the same size too! We got ours at a garage sale for like $40 two years ago. For a long time, it was the only freezer I could use for things like ice cream and such, since DD got into the freezer all the time. (Frozen Hot Pocket anyone? ) It's nice to stock up on sales, etc. Also, one of my favorite grocery stores is on the opposite side of town, so I don't go that often. I stock up when I DO go once or twice a month. So the extra freezer space helps a lot.

[tracyhos]

We have a chest freezer and really like it.

We by our beef in bulk. 1/4 cow at a time. So there is that in there. And then I buy big bags of frozen veggies at Costco. And I buy bread/bagels when they are on special and freeze them. So I really find ours useful.

[tree-hugger]

We have 2. We buy our meat in bulk too. Whole steer, whole lambs, whole pigs, dozens of chickens at at time (that's enough to last us for 1+ year).

[slsurface]

Thanks for all your help everyone! As suggested, I checked out Craig's list last night. I have a couple leads on an upright freezer, but no chest freezers. I've never used an upright, are they comparable? What are the pros and cons?

I plan to use to it store a 1/2 cow, chickens, and bulk spelt/corn flour.

[deditus]

Originally Posted by slsurface

Where do you buy in bulk? I've been trying to research this, but I'm having a hard time. I really want to stock up on flour for the winter to make bread.

I lived a ways away (and now live in MN), but I bought through a UNFI co-op. You can request a list of the nearby buying clubs. It basically made the prices for organic equal that of conventional, I didn't save $ just was able to get better quality than otherwise.

http://www.unitedbuyingclubs.com/

Also, there is Country Life Natural Foods.

http://www.clnf.org

[bender]

I wish I had an upright. The chest freezer I have isn't that deep, but I still have to dig around trying to find things. It's hard to keep it organized, and poor DH has no idea where to look in it for the various meals I've premade for when we're both busy.

If you can afford an upright, and it fits in the space, I'd go for that kind.

[tbone]

I would definately say yes to splurging on a chest freezer. Its been great for us, we rent and have a small chest freezer that we just take with us each time we move. We buy in bulk, plus I like to freeze summer fruits for winter, make extra meals and freeze, things like that so it's been very worthwhile. I just wish we had and even larger one!

[Justmee]

Yes, I consider it an investment in my family's health (because I can cook and freeze healthy food and not have ot cook every day), our sanityh (sure kids, I can play another game, dinner's in the freezer) and of course money (good price on ground beef this week? I'll take 4 lbs.

[Ruthiegirl]

I would love one. Our local source for chicken will give me a great price on free range chickens, but only if I buy them a dozen or more at a time. I would love to put aside chicken, veggies, fruit, frozen meals, etc.

We do pretty well with our kitchen fridge/freezer, but I could do a lot better with more freezer space.

[countrymom]

What you'll save on food longterm will easily cover the expense of buying one if you buy food on sale & in bulk. Go for it!! (especially with rising cost of gas--if you have to drive to the market--my drive is considerable--that too helps save in long run--less trips to market = less gas used)

[vm9799]

we have an upright freezer that was given to us by my mom......and we LOVE : it! i prefer the upright over the chest style personally. i say go for it....you certainly won't regret it!