In this article, we'll look at the differences and advantages of different types of chest freezers , delve into their basic characteristics, and highlight the most important parameters for making the right choice.
The primary locations for chest freezers are stores, supermarkets, cafeterias, fast-food outlets, food warehouses, and the like. However, thanks to the wide selection and affordability, more and more private consumers are choosing chest freezers for their home. Those accustomed to stocking up will certainly appreciate the advantages of storing food in a chest freezer, rather than just a regular freezer.
Advantages of chest freezers:
⇒ usable volume - this parameter is usually larger than that of household freezers.
⇒ maintaining the same temperature throughout the entire volume - accordingly, the freezing quality is stable both at the bottom and at the top of the chest chamber.
⇒ lower energy consumption compared to household freezers.
⇒ Storage options – conveniently store your food using the included baskets. The freezer compartment is perfect for storing large items and packages, such as poultry or other animal carcasses.
⇒ The horizontally positioned chest lid, under its own weight, seals tightly, preventing heat loss. The lid can also be used as a useful additional surface.
⇒ Autonomous preservation – even if the power goes out, the chamber maintains a low temperature. Depending on the manufacturer, this period can last up to 6-8 hours.
⇒ mobility - the chest on wheels can be easily moved from place to place.
Main characteristics of chest freezers:
- volume - nominal and useful.
The greater thickness of the thermal insulation of the walls takes away some of the internal volume of the chest freezer, but thereby increases the efficiency class.
Chest capacity is measured in liters (L), and typically starts at 100 L, then moves up to 200, 300, 400, 500 L, and so on. Chests with a usable capacity over 600 L are less common, as they have impressive dimensions—approximately 2000 mm in length.
Consider this parameter based on the size and shape of your room. The height of a chest (when closed) is typically 850-950 mm. The length varies from 500 mm to 2000 mm. The depth can be 600-750 mm.
► blind lid Solid-lid chests are designed for food storage only. This type of chest (box) design is often chosen by customers for home storage. The chest lid is made of a dense material, and in some models, it is reinforced with a sheet of food-grade stainless steel.
► straight glass lid
Chest freezers with glass lids are used not only for storage but also for product display. This design allows for easy monitoring of the contents of the chest, and depending on the equipment's placement, customers or retailers can see the range of products stored without opening the lid.
► convex (bent) glass lid
Curved glass chests offer a better view of the product display and a more presentable appearance, but due to their complex design, they are more expensive. Also, chests with glass lids often come in a variety of colors for the top frame (crown), allowing you to match the equipment to the interior of your retail space, for example.
The correct choice
of a chest freezer depends, among other things, on the installation location and external climatic conditions.
The lower and upper limits of the ambient temperature determine the climate class of the equipment .
This parameter characterizes the ambient temperature range for optimal operation of refrigeration equipment.
The higher the class, the greater the power consumption of the equipment.
| Climate class SN (temperate) | ambient temperature = +10…+32 °C |
| Climate class N (normal) | ambient temperature = +16…+32 °C |
| Climate class ST (subtropical) | ambient temperature = +16…+38 °C |
| Climate class T (tropical) | ambient temperature = +16…+43 °C |
Based on the climate class, the user can determine how the chest freezer will perform under specific conditions. For example, placing the freezer in an unheated room, where the temperature can drop below 10°C in winter, can impact the unit's functionality, service life, and increase energy consumption.
The device can be assigned one or more climate classes, allowing it to be used in a wider range. For example, the multi-class SN-T freezer will maintain the required storage temperature in an external temperature range of +10°C to +43°C.
It's worth noting that "multi-class" refrigerators are more expensive than the standard "SN" and "N" refrigerators on our market, as these units are equipped with more powerful compressors and additional fans.
An alternative classification of climatic classes of refrigeration equipment is also used depending on the temperature and humidity of the environment:
| Climate class 4 | ambient temperature 30 °C/
relative humidity 65% |
| Climate class 4+ | ambient temperature 35 °C/
relative humidity 70%
|
| Climate class 5 | ambient temperature 40 °C/
relative humidity 55%
|
You can find the climate class marking for the equipment on the manufacturer's plate (nameplate) of the product or in the operating instructions (technical passport).
An economically important parameter for choosing a chest freezer, as with other energy-intensive equipment, is its
energy consumption class .
Energy efficiency (or power consumption) classes range from A+++ to G, with A+++ indicating the most energy-efficient equipment. This is typically the classification for household appliances, but some commercial refrigeration manufacturers specify this parameter with the end consumer in mind.
For example, the SCAN SB 300-1 chest freezer with a solid lid has an energy efficiency class of A+ and a universal climate class of SN/N/ST/T:
The energy efficiency class of equipment can give the buyer an idea of the quality of the equipment, how advanced the thermal insulation materials the manufacturer uses, and whether it employs modern energy-saving technologies.
The final cost of the chest freezer will also depend on the presence of additional functions, such as a quick freeze function, autonomous cold storage, and the NoFrost system.
Budget chest freezers are represented by the brands Frostor , Polair (Russia), among European manufacturers the lines of brands Scan and Tefcold (Denmark) are popular.
Special-purpose chest freezers—laboratory chest freezers with an operating temperature range of down to -45°C—are worth a special mention. For example, the cost of
a Tefcold SE20-45-P medical chest freezer is almost twice that of a similarly sized
Tefcold FR305 chest freezer with a standard operating temperature of -24°C.
⇒ So, let's sum it up:
→ For warehouses and households - consider a design
with a blind lid ,
→ consider the overall dimensions of the equipment, its internal (useful) volume, the presence of additional functions,
→ take into account the climatic parameters of the external environment in which the device will be placed,
→ Also consider the energy efficiency class to save on your electricity bills.
A properly selected chest freezer will preserve your food efficiently and, with proper maintenance, will last a long time, eliminating costly repairs.
Use
our website to select a chest freezer or contact our sales department to order the optimal equipment for your needs.
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