Using a freezer involves the following steps – plugging the freezer in, adjusting the temperature setting, waiting for the inside to freeze, loading it with food, and keeping the door closed. Now you know how to use a freezer.
Freezers are made to keep perishable food items frozen so they can be stored for long periods. If you would like to learn more about how to work a freezer, refer to our detailed freezer manual below.
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1. Plug-In The Freezer
Freezers require constant power to function and need to be positioned near an outlet. If it’s possible, position the freezer directly in front of the outlet or just off to the side. Doing so reduces the probability that someone will disconnect the fridge by accident, which could lead to the loss of your food.
Not all outlets will be able to handle a commercial Deepfreeze freezer. This problem is most common with GFI outlets.
If a suitable power source is located a ways away from where you would like to place your freezer, you can use an extension cord. The average freezer draws 15 amps of current at 120 watts, which would call for at least a 14 gauge extension cord. However, because freezers can draw more than 15 amps when they cycle on, a 12 gauge extension cord is recommended.
While an extension cord can be used, it’s worth mentioning that the National Electric Code strongly advises against doing so. If you do go this ropute, use the shortest cord possible.
2. Turn Freezer On And Choose Setting
Freezers can turn on automatically whenever they’re plugged while others freezers will have a switch that must be turned on.
The ideal temperature for a freezer is 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius) or lower. If you plan on freezing red meat or poultry for long periods you may want to go even lower. If your freezer isn’t cold enough, bacteria can begin to grow which can lead to food poisoning or spoiling.
3. Load Freezer With Food
When loading food into the freezer the food must be properly packaged. If you’re storing food in containers, make sure the containers are freezer safe. Additionally, it’s recommended that you only use containers made out of 1, 2, 4, and 5-grade food plastic as these types are BPA free. Plastic food containers with the numbers 3, 6, and 7 on them almost always contain BPA which can leach into your food if stored for long enough periods.
If you’re using glass containers, make sure you’ve left extra room in the container. When water is frozen it expands. If a glass container is filled to the max, the expansion of foods or liquids can cause the glass to crack and break.
When wrapping meat in plastic for storage, make sure all air is removed before placing it in the freezer. Failure to do so can cause bacteria to grow. Many people place a small box of baking soda in their freezer to get rid of unpleasant smells.
If you’re using a stand-up freezer, be aware that any food stored in the door will be more susceptible to changes in temperature than food stored towards the back of the freezer. Because of this, storing meat and other perishable food items in the door shelves is not a good idea. To find out more about how many amps does a fridge use, you can read this article.
4. Keep Door Closed And Wait For Foods To Freeze
Unfrozen food may need the better part of the day to freeze. The freezer door should be kept closed at all times and only be opened when you need to remove an item from the freezer.
It’s important to regularly check the seal on the freezer door for damages. If damaged, cold air can escape, causing your freezer to work extra hard to keep the stored food frozen.
What Should I Know Before Using A Freezer?
What is a freezer? A freezer is an appliance that freezes food and acts as an insulated cold-storage device for the long-term storage of perishable food.
The most common type of freezer comes as part of a fridge/freezer combo. The fridge portion takes up the bottom two-thirds of the appliance with the top third being the freezer.
Besides the common fridge/freezer combo, another type of freezer you’re likely to find in a house is a chest freezer. Chest freezers are rectangular and the door is located on the top of the unit. Chest freezers have more insulation than the average kitchen freezer and are built to store foods for longer.
The average chest freezer comes with between 14 and 15 cubic feet of storage and 30 inches of depth. They are most commonly kept in the garage and draw more power than the standard kitchen fridge/freezer combo.
Another popular type of freezer is a drawer freezer. Instead of one open space, drawer freezers have three or four shelves, allowing you to better separate and organize foods.
What Are The Stages Of Using A Freezer?
Using a freezer can be broken down into three main stages:
- Plug the freezer in and adjust the setting to the preferred temperature
- Wait until the freezer reaches the chosen temperature and load it with food
- Keep the freezer door closed and regularly check to make sure the insulation is intact
Does The Freezer Type Affect The Usage Stages?
No. The type of freezer doesn’t affect the usage stages. The only minor difference is that some of the best freezers have more advanced temperature control settings.
Is Using A Freezer For Ice Cream Better Than Using A Deep Freezer?
Yes. Using a freezer for ice cream is better than using a deeper freezer. Standard freezers use much less power than deep freezers and ice cream only requires freezing temperature for storage.
When it comes to the question of freezer vs. deep freezer for storing ice cream, standard kitchen freezers are the better option.
Is Using A Freezer For Ice Cubes Better Than Using A Cooler
Yes. Using a freezer for ice cubes is better than using a cooler. Coolers can only store ice cubes and cannot make them. By contrast, freezers can make ice cubes in just a few hours.
The only expectation to this is when it comes to transporting ice cubes. Because freezers are large and require a constant power source they are not portable. For transporting ice, coolers are the best option.
Is A Mini Freezer Better Than A Chest Freezer For Alcohol?
Yes. A mini freezer is better than a chest freezer for storing alcohol. If you plan on storing bottles of whisky, rum, or vodka, it’s safe to do so in a chest freezer. That said, 80 proof (40% ABV) liquor will begin to freeze at around 0 Fahrenheit (-17 degrees celsius).
Less concentrated liquors that fall between 40 and 60 proof can begin to freeze at temperatures as low as 21 degrees Fahrenheit (-6 degrees Celsius).
Because chest freezers are most often set to these temperatures, regular mini freezers – especially those designed for liquor – are the better choice. Most types of freezers (except for some mini freezers) are not good for storing beer for more than several hours.
Because of the lower alcohol content, beer will freeze in a freezer, causing the can/bottle to expand and break.
How To Use A Freezer For Other Uses Besides Storing Food
Freezers are built for one purpose – storing food in freezing temperatures. That said, there are several other ways you can use a freezer.
To learn more about the different uses of a freezer, refer to the sections below.
How To Use A Freezer As An Air Conditioner
You can’t use a freezer as an air conditioner. In some small spaces, you may be able to open the freezer lid or door and wait for the room to fill with cool air. However, doing this is not at all energy efficient and will be expensive.
How To Use A Freezer To Save Seeds
To use a freezer to save seeds, make sure the seeds are dried out, wrap them in a dry paper towel or light cloth, and place them in an airtight container. When the container has been properly sealed, the seeds can be stored in the freezer for over five years.
However, stored seeds are sensitive to changes in temperature, and if you let the seeds thaw out and refreeze them it could render them unviable.
How To Use A Freezer As A Shoe Freshener
To use a freezer as a shoe freshener make sure the shoes are dry and place them in an airtight container or bag. Once they have been properly sealed, you can place them in the freezer for a day or two.
Shoe smell is most commonly caused by mold and bacteria growing in the show. When placed in a freezer, the freezing temperatures can kill said mold and bacteria, and reduce the amount of smell coming off the shoes.
