Upright Freezer

[Steve B]

My small dedicated freezer is having issues with the shelves suddenly pushing out of the unit. It has the cooling tubes attached to the shelves. Now I have to shove them back into place just to slam the door closed. Obviously not an ideal situation. Sooo it looks like I’m gonna be in the market for a new one.

Wants:
Definitely want it to be an upright.
Would really like it to be self defrosting.
Not too big. But also not as small as the one I currently have. It’s the size of a college type fridge. Counter height.
And I don’t want to spend too much either. But I know you get what you pay for.

Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
SteveB.

[captainlee]

Can't help you with what to buy but do some research for ratings on line and service issues. There have been many compressor issues out there and new units failing extremely early and not repairable.

[Steve B]

This is exactly why I’m asking all of you esteemed Pitmasters.

[hoovarmin]

Following. I want one too.

[STEbbq]

All of the reviews on fridges I read generally say the brands are all the same and equally reliable/crappy if you will. There’s no obvious winner as they all suck (to an extent). If you are doing a full size fridge, LG stands out as better than the rest, but not sure how many smaller models they do.

So I think the solution is to see if Costco has one and maybe add an extended warranty for additional peace of mind. Costco will add a year automatically I think.

For me specifically, since I was using it as a curing fridge, I toted along my curing containers to Best Buy and only one fridge fit them. Best Buy was the only local store that carried the small dorm fridges so my decision was “easier”. So far it has worked out beautifully so quite happy.

[Panhead John]

He wants a freezer.

[captainlee]

Luck of the draw that's what makes it so difficult. Neighbors frig died and repairman specifically told them to stay away from LG, cheap plastic part in the compressor fails and part is not available. Also the cost to put the part in buy a new one. Somebody could have great luck with one and swear by it. So confusing for the consumer.

[STEbbq]

Panhead John same advice really

[Smoker_Boy]

If it has an Embraco compressor in it, run away as fast as you can.

[Steve B]

I’ll pay attention to that while looking. Thanks.

[Smoker_Boy]

Steve B - I realize this doesn't help if you're looking online.
But if you're shopping for real, try to look for a nameplate.

I have some horror stories about the losses these compressors have caused, but I am not permitted to repeat them due to non-disclosure agreements and all that.

[Panhead John]

Steve, I’ve got a small 5 cubic foot Kenmore upright freezer in my garage, probably 15-20 years old. Couldn’t be happier with it. It’s been exposed to all types of temps, as I leave my garage door open all day when I’m home. It’s got the cooling tube shelves just like yours and is frost free. It’s been used for years at a time, and has sat unused for years at a time. There’s no mfgr. nameplate anywhere I could find, had to Google Sears and the model number…it then came up as a Kenmore. I’ve never had any service done to it and have only cleaned the rear coils maybe once during that period of time. It’s immediately turned on and started cooling every time I’ve plugged it in. I plugged it in yesterday as a matter of fact, I’ll be needing it today for some fresh Gulf shrimp a friend is bringing me….

[captainlee]

The older stuff was the best, unfortunately not making them like they used to.

[randy.56]

When are we cooking this shrimp?

[Panhead John]

randy.56 Tomorrow! Think I’ll fry some up with some catfish.

[Oak Smoke]

I was in much the same situation as you are not long ago. When we retired we left all the appliances in our old home and started fresh with all new ones in the home we bought. I’ve told this story before but the appliance delivery guy said most all the freezers he replaced were about 10 years old. He didn’t have a brand preference either. That’s disheartening but the world as it is right now. We have an older upright freezer with the cooling tubes under the shelves that we inherited from my FIL. It’s well over 10 years old and doing great. I understand you want a new one but I’d be tempted to check FB marketplace, Craigslist, and the local classifieds for a good older one. You could well save some money and get a more durable freezer.
Edit, The new freezer we bought has already had to have the air circulating fan replaced in it.

[Steve B]

There’s an app called OfferUp that I window shop on occasion. Been looking there. It’s actually where I got my current one. It works fine as of now, just the damn shelves are pushing out of the unit. Wish it was somewhat empty. I could play around with it but it’s pretty much full with more meat on the way.

[Oak Smoke]

Steve B Could you put a couple of bricks of dry ice in ice chests to hold your beef long enough to look your freezer over.

[Steve B]

@Old Smoke Or just leave it outside for a few. It’s up to 19* today. But than I’d have to freeze my patinas off as the freezer is in my detached garage with no heat. 😂

[Panhead John]

I just checked my Consumer Reports online and they gave GE and Frigidaire 3 of the 4 top spots for small upright freezers, 1, 2 and 4.

GE FUF14DLRWW Freezer was their highest rated.

This one is at Lowe’s and gets excellent reviews. It’s a 14.2 cubic inch though, is that too big SteveB ?

Garage Ready 14.1-cu ft Frost-free Upright Freezer (White) https://www.lowes.com/pd/GE-Garage-R...zer/1002550540

[DavidNorcross]

We have a Frigidaire 19 Cubic Ft frost free upright. We have had it for 5 years and have had zero issues. Does a great job.

[SheilaAnn]

Steve B This is what we have. Can’t remember what we paid for it, though. I love it! I ponied up for that shelf highlighted in red for laying items flat for the drawer “filing “ system I have. Bins from ikea. The very bottom has a drawer style pull out basket. I want to say Costco?

[Steve B]

Carolyn ya just messed up my head. Had to look at this post like 5 times before figuring out you’re selling off SheilaAnn ‘s freezer. 😂😂😂

[Carolyn]

Steve B Does look that way, doesn't it? 😆

[acorgihouse]

I'm not trekking out to garage right now to check, but this looks like what I have. You know mine is from my best buddy and lifelong pal Costco. It has a rather potent seal, that ensures it won't just "pop open", which I've had happen in the past when some wayward pork butt rolls against the door, and I like being able to move the shelves. I think, with things like freezers, the source and it's warranty service is probably more important than the brand.

[radshop]

I've only had it about a year, so can't speak to longevity, but I'm really happy so far with this GE upright purchased at Costco. I know it's bigger than you are looking for, but providing for reference.

https://www.costco.com/GE-17.3-CuFt-Frost-Free-Upright-Freezer-in-White.product.1209107.html

[PGH_RAM]

I have no advice on models because the upright freezer I have and love is much bigger than you're looking for (Gladiator 18 cf). What I can suggest, though, is checking American Freight once you choose your model. They have great deals on scratch and dent stuff that's still under warranty.

[lemayp]

My suggestion was going to be to check out the scratch and dent section of appliance store. Got mine for half off because it had a couple large scratches. It sits in my garage so it’s going to get more anyway… Put a decent temp alarm in it and take a chance on the one you like. Someone hates whatever model you look at.

[Huskee]

I can't help you with selecting one, as we acquired a used one free (just had to clean it and it was bad, yuck!) but I can say wise choice. Upright freezers are the bomb. We had a chest freezer prior to that and I hated it. They are the freezer equivalent of how Tupperware is for throwing things away later after you've forgotten about it.

[Steve B]

This is the one I’m looking at. Should be more than enough space for our needs. Unfortunately no one has one for me to physically see.
whatcha think?

https://www.pcrichard.com/ge-28-14.1-cu-ft-upright-freezer-with-digital-control-white/FUF14DLRWW.html

[Panhead John]

Steve B that looks just like the one I posted about up there 👆👆👆
It’s at Lowe’s.

[Steve B]

Panhead John it’s the model one above what you posted. Was looking at that as well, but I kinda like the glass shelves and extra drawer better.

[58limited]

I don't know much about this brand - Midea - but when I was needing another freezer last year this was one of the only ones in stock at a price I could afford. It has a 4.6 star rating so I gave it a try. So far so good. The only thing I don't like is the door display - it only shows the temperature when you open the door, not all the time. Do you have any opinion on this brand Smoker_Boy ?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Midea-17-cu-ft-Frost-Free-Convertible-Upright-Freezer-Re/1001272580

I had to buy a new fridge recently as well, I went with this GE:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/GE-Garage-Ready-21-9-cu-ft-Top-Freezer-Refrigerator-White/1001431370

[Smoker_Boy]

58limited - Not really. I only dealt with the compressors at work.