Freezers for the home: price, review of modifications, tips for choosing

Types of freezers by load type

There are two types of freezers: vertical and horizontal.

Upright freezer

A vertical freezer, or freezer cabinet, can be freestanding or built-in. This type of device is most suitable for a city apartment. Externally, a freezer is very similar to a regular refrigerator, its height can vary from 50 to 205 cm, width from 60 to 160 cm and depth from 48 to 80 cm. Some home freezers can be quite narrow, but this is rather an exception, than the rule. Typically, a vertical freezer is divided into compartments, each of which has a special drawer for storing food. Older models can only be equipped with shelves, however, this design has not earned popularity among housewives. Built-in freezers are no different from conventional freezers in terms of internal equipment. Their main feature is the ability to be installed inside furniture, which allows you to create a specific design for the kitchen space.

Freezer horizontal

A horizontal chamber, or chest freezer, is most often used for country houses because it takes up much more space. Most often, the height of such a freezer is 45 to 156 cm, but the width of the models can differ significantly, since the volume of the device varies from 100 to 500 liters. You can choose a horizontal freezer only if you have free space.

Quiet operation

Old freezers made strange, loud noises. Manufacturers are now trying to reduce the noise level emitted by cooling equipment and are developing models that operate much quieter.

• Freezers that emit noise below 40 decibels are quiet devices, sometimes producing a “charming” grunting or gurgling sound.
• 40 decibels is the current noise level standard, a fairly quiet device, but not completely silent. The equipment is equipped with fans, independent air exchange cycles, operating continuously, producing sounds that cannot be completely suppressed.
• Noise greater than 45 decibels resembles gurgling or hissing, especially at night.
• Noise above 65 decibels is harmful to health.

When purchasing a model with high noise parameters, think about the location of the camera; a living room is not suitable for a noisy model. Examples of noise levels:

• pain threshold – 130 decibels;
• 120-130 decibels – airplane takeoff;
• 70-90 decibels – truck engine running;
• 60-75 decibels – the sound of a working TV;
• 65-75 decibels – car engine running;
• 60-70 decibels – office noise;
• 50-65 decibels – conversation noise;
• 30-40 decibels – the sound of a whisper;
• 10-15 decibels – forest noise.

Attention! Built-in models are quieter than free-standing models.

Main technical characteristics of freezers

Let's get down to business and look at the most important characteristics of freezers, knowledge of which can help you in the selection process.

Freezing class

The freezing class is indicated in freezers by asterisks “*”:

• «*» − means that the products will be stored at a temperature of - +6°C for one week;
• «**» − storage temperature −12° C. At this temperature, it is recommended to store perishable products for no more than 30 days;
• «***» − your products will be stored at −18° C, while proper protection is guaranteed for 90 days;
• «****» − longest freezing at temperatures below -18°C. Products can be stored for 6-12 months.

There are home refrigerators with different temperature ranges on each shelf. This device is extremely convenient because you can separate shelf-stable foods and those that you use for a shorter period. If you can pay a little more, choose a freezer with a quick freeze function. This is very convenient for instant cooling and storage of perishable foods.

Power

Freezer capacity refers to the mass of food in kg that the device can cool and freeze in one day. The average capacity of freezers is designed for 5-15 kg. Larger devices can freeze up to 40 kg of food per day.

Power consumption

Nowadays, when the cost of utilities is constantly rising, the energy consumption of the freezer plays an important role. After all, this device will generate kilowatt-hours for days. With the help of modern technologies, it has become possible to significantly reduce the consumption of household appliances, including freezers. In order to understand how much electricity the chosen equipment will consume per year, it was divided into special classes, which are necessarily indicated in the description:

• A+++ - less than 22 kW;
• A++ - from 22 to 33 kW;
• A+ - from 33 to 42 kW;
• A - from 42 to 55 kW;
• B - from 55 to 75 kW;
• C - from 75 to 95 kW;
• D - from 95 to 110 kW;
• E - from 110 to 125 kW;
• F - from 125 to 150 kW;
• G - more than 150 kW.

Climate class

Each of us has encountered the fact that some refrigerators or freezers freeze worse in the summer heat. To prevent this from happening, you need to choose a device that will suit your climate. Today there are 4 main and 4 mixed climate classes.

The correct choice of climate class of equipment will increase the period of its operation and reduce the possibility of failure of various units. Because devices that are designed to operate at elevated temperatures are equipped with a more powerful compressor and an increased insulating layer. When purchasing, it is best to choose a mixed climate class device. Because it will be more versatile and suitable for working with a wider temperature range.

Dimensions and volume

Freezers can have the following dimensions

Additional functions

Household freezers may be equipped with some additional features:

1. Super freezing . Instant freezing of products at a temperature of -32°, with maximum preservation of all useful substances.
2. Alarm . This function will indicate with a sound or light signal that you forgot to close the door in the freezer or chamber and the temperature has risen.
3. Electronic display , which displays all important information about the state of the camera.
4. Carbon filter. Provides air purification inside the system.
5. A handle with a lever that presses the seal. Allows you to easily open the door.

Extra options

When choosing a freezer, it is better to take into account all the nuances. Manufacturers equip modern models with many useful additions that may be of interest to you.

The auto-save cold feature comes in handy if your home experiences frequent power outages. If there is no electricity, the freezer will be able to keep it cold for two days. The temperature will be maintained at -10 degrees.

When you put new food in for storage, this may cause the temperature in the chamber to rise. To prevent this, first turn on the extra-freezing function. The temperature will drop and there will be no sudden changes. Almost all modern models are equipped with this function.

If you have small children who like to press all the buttons in a row, the child lock feature will be useful. The controls can be locked so that even the most inventive child cannot spoil anything.

Rating of freezers for the home 2021

We present to you a review of the best freezers, according to our editors.

Freezer Liebherr GP 1476

The silent freezer ensures long-term temperature retention during a power outage. One of the most popular models. Liebherr GP 1476 - freezes perfectly even without light.

Price: ₽ 23,000

Freezer Liebherr G 1213-20

High-quality assembly, low noise level and affordable price have made this freezer model quite popular. Liebherr G 1213-20 is a miniature freezer, convenient for a small space.

Price: ₽ 19,000

Freezer Atlant M 7184-003

Large and quiet freezer, perfect for a large family. The retractable rack is very convenient for quick freezing of semi-finished products, berries and fruits. Atlant M 7184-003 - spacious and inexpensive freezer

Price: ₽ 17,000

Freezer Zanussi ZUF 11420 SA

A miniature freezer with manual defrosting and a super freeze function is perfect for quickly freezing and storing perishable foods. Zanussi ZUF 11420 SA - silent and high-quality equipment.

Price: ₽ 29,000

Freezer Bosch GSN36VW20

A fairly expensive freezer model with a large volume and equipped with the No Frost system. Bosch GSN36VW20 is perfect for a large family.

Price: ₽ 27,000

Freezer Pozis FV-108

Stylish, small, easy to use and lightweight, the Pozis FV-108 freezer operates almost silently. Pozis FV-108 - high-quality assembly and compact size

Price: ₽ 14,000

Freezer Hansa FS150.3

Chest freezer equipped with antibacterial coating. It has the ability to maintain temperature during a power outage for up to 30 hours. Hansa FS150.3 is a lightweight and convenient chest

Price: ₽ 16,000

Price and usage tips

The price of freezers is determined depending on their size. Therefore, there is no need to buy extra volume; it is better to buy a freezer that will satisfy the needs of the family:

1. Budget options are units equipped with a standard set of functions. Such models are especially popular with most consumers. Their price is approximately 16-20 thousand rubles.
2. The middle price category includes products with larger sizes. They are convenient to use in large families. The cost is higher than budget options, 23-30 thousand rubles.
3. Expensive models with many additional functions and stylish design are expensive. Their price starts from 40 thousand rubles. Caring for the freezer does not require much effort. Depending on the type of freezer, different maintenance methods are used:
4. Manual defrost. If frost appears in the freezer, the layer of which does not exceed 3 cm, you can use a special plastic scraper included with the unit to remove it. If the layer thickness is about 6 cm, then the freezer is completely defrosted. The equipment is disconnected from the network, products are removed from the boxes. The water that appears as a result of defrosting is removed with a sponge or towel. You should wipe the surfaces with a soda solution (1 tablespoon per 1.2 liters of water), then wash with clean water and wipe dry. Before placing frozen food, the freezer is connected to the network and runs empty for half an hour.
5. With automatic defrosting. For such units, defrosting is not required, but you need to wash the freezer 1-2 times a year. Clean it in the same way as a manual defrost freezer.

An unpleasant odor often appears in freezers. You can deal with it using a solution of soda or vinegar (1 glass per 4 liters of water). If you cannot get rid of the smell, you can place activated carbon in the chamber.

In addition, you can use special odor absorbers, which are sold in a wide range. Compliance with operating requirements, timely defrosting, and proper care of freezers significantly extends the service life of the equipment and allows you to store food without loss of nutrients.

Comparison table of the best freezers for home

Price

What is the best way to choose an inexpensive but high-quality freezer?
Small freezers in the budget category can be purchased for up to 15,000 rubles. There is no need to chase cheapness by buying models from unknown brands. Better consider brands such as Biryusa, Nord, Supra, Don, Pozis, Atlant. In the same price category you can also find brands such as Shivaki, Hansa, Leran. As a rule, with a budget of up to 15,000 rubles, you have to consider models with a small volume of up to 150 liters and manual defrosting, but you can find options up to 180 liters.

In the price category from 15,000 to 30,000 rubles there are already more spacious models from 200 liters. In addition, such manufacturers as Beko, Indesit, Whirlpool, Liebherr, Hotpoint-Ariston appear on the list. Some models have an automatic defrost option. With a budget of about 20,000 rubles, you can purchase such reliable equipment as chest freezers from the Gorenje company.

With a budget of 30,000 or more, there is much more choice. Here you can already consider voluminous and functional models from the brands Gorenje, Samsung, Liebherr, Bosch. Many of them have advanced functionality, including control options from a smartphone and an additional compartment in the form of a wine cabinet.

Advantages and disadvantages of a built-in freezer

The main advantage of built-in technology is its invisibility. One- and two-compartment freezers can be hidden behind the front of a kitchen cabinet in order to maintain the overall style of the kitchen. Such models are used in more difficult conditions and therefore require special installation, which provides additional ventilation. Such a freezer can be hidden behind the facade of kitchen furniture. An additional thermal insulation layer, expensive compressors - all this significantly increases the cost of built-in models, which is their disadvantage.

Freezers with the No Frost system

The “No Frost” system ensures uniform cooling of products due to constant circulation of cold air, and a special evaporator allows moisture to be removed from the freezer. After opening the door, the temperature in such a device is restored to the required temperature, much faster than in other models. However, when purchasing a freezer using this technology, be prepared for increased energy consumption and increased noise generated by the fans. Another feature of No Frost is the drying of openly stored products. That is why it is recommended to store semi-finished products in special heat-resistant bags in such freezers.

Energy class, energy labeling

EU regulations required manufacturers and sellers to introduce an energy label that would allow a potential buyer to quickly read the basic parameters of the device.
The upper part of the label contains the name of the manufacturer (brand) and symbols for the freezer model. At the bottom, on the left side of the label, there is a graphic in different colors from green to red, symbolizing the energy class. A freezer is a device that operates continuously, consuming a lot of electricity. Taking care of your wallet and the environment, you should choose energy-saving devices. Freezers with energy levels below class A are becoming increasingly rare.

The label is easy to read:

• A device of class A +++, which has a dark green color, consumes the least amount of energy,
• The maximum amount of energy is consumed by a class D dark red device.

On the right side of the label there is an arrow showing the exact energy consumption class of the device.

The lower part of the label consists of 3 blocks containing the following information:

1. the first block on the left contains information about the total power of the cooling zone,
2. the central block shows the volume of the freezing zone,
3. right – noise indicators.

How to choose a freezer for your home

Choosing a freezer is a serious undertaking, and you need to approach it with all responsibility.

The freezer is a good way to store perishable foods. First of all, you need to determine exactly what type of device you need: built-in or regular. The next step will be the selection of dimensions. When measuring the space where you want to place a freezer in the future, be sure to leave a margin of a few centimeters, since due to uneven walls the device may not fit as you expect. If possible, choose a model from a well-known manufacturer with minimal energy consumption and a universal climate class. When choosing a freezer, be sure to read reviews about it, as users may report some nuances that you are not even aware of.

Which company (manufacturer) is better?

One of the most reputable manufacturers of freezers on our market is the German company Liebherr. Such devices are expensive, but have European quality. However, recently there has been more and more criticism of the company from customers. Bosch also produces good equipment, technologically advanced, but very expensive to repair.

The Belarusian company Atlant can boast of good reliability and service support. She is probably known to everyone. Among Russian companies, we recommend taking a closer look at Pozis and Biryusa. They have been on the market for many years; their equipment is in stable demand.