Trappers chest freezer?

[strow]

I'm looking into buying a new 19-24' chest freezer for storing pelts, meat, bait, etc.

I had though about looking for a used one but several people said a newer freezer will more than pay for itself in efficiency.

Any suggestions on brand, size, options, etc?

Thanks!!!

[trappnman]

lots of used ones for $50-100- and many of them are relatively new-

[coop]

I picked up a brand new "scratch and dent" model for 1/2 price at a big name appliance store (Sears) just by making an offer to the store manager. A 16 cubic foot that listed over $400 was bought on the spot for $200 cash, (it was marked $300) if I took it then and hauled it myself. Perhaps you could leave word with some local stores and luck into a scratched, dented, or returned one. BTW, mine came with the same warrenty as a new one. Just a thought... worked for me by being in the right place at the right time.

[trappnman]

good point- boughht our last fridge from sears-

got delivered- dent on door..... manager tried three times- first $50, then $100, then $125 off if I would accept as is- but my thought there was I just spent $1000 on a fridge- I want it to LOOK new LOL

[strow]

What size do you prefer?

[robertw]

Strow,
Several things to consider with chest type freezers.

#1) are you going to haul this freezer out of state trapping? I purchase new freezers specifically for this purpose and try to rotate out with a new freezer every 4-5 years (buy to fit your trailer space). Hauling used (older) freezers will often kill them, they work for that trip but the following fall they will not freeze down when plugged in.

#2) How many months are you going to be using this chest type, 60 days or 12 months a year? If your only using it for 30-60 days the efficiency gained by a newer freezer is not enough to offset the purchase price costs.

#3) If the space where your planning on putting the freezer is not an issue always go with the bigger 25 cubic foot freezers. They are better able to fast freeze larger volumes in a hurry. It is very easy to over load a smaller 15' freezer with to much material to freeze at one time.

[marbleyez2001]

All advice so far are word to live by...but I will add a few things.

Make sure you DO NOT get a frost free freezer. Not sure exactly how they are "frost free", but it will freeze dry your green frozen pelts.
For size, the bigger the better. I had a 35 cu ft freezer I sold when moving. Wish I still had it!
Ive currently got 2 freesers, one 4 year old 15 cu ft freezer that is plugged in year round and a 25 cu ft freezer I pick up used that is plugged in only when needed. The 15 cu ft I can freeze about 6 beaver a night with, and the 25 cu ft I can freezer 12 a night.

[robertw]

Another couple of helpfull hints.

Each fall always test run your freezers a month or so before season starts to make sure they will freeze down.

Always plug in your freezers 12-24 hours in advance of using them and let them freeze down before trying to freeze your fur.

A thermometer will often let you know well in advance of a deep freezer failing / quitting. Most deep freezers fail gradually....watch the temperature, if a freezer will not freeze below 20 degrees it is getting weak and needs to be carefully monitored.

[johnthomas]

Another couple tips, bout two thirds of freezer fridge failures are from lack of cooling for the compressor, pull the durnthing out once a year and suck or blow the lint and crud out of the fins and general compressor area, next fire it up and if it has a coolling fan, make double darn sure it is not only spinning but spinning freely, that little dude is the culprit in most compressor failures as it lets it overheat, they cost less than 50 bucks, can be installed by yourself or for another 50 by a tech, i replaced two this spring on rental fridges and both of them were working fine last spring but locked up this spring, its worth it to maintain them a bit.

[RiverRat]

May 25, 2009 18:01:38 GMT -6 @marbleyez2001 said:

Make sure you DO NOT get a frost free freezer. Not sure exactly how they are "frost free", but it will freeze dry your green frozen pelts.

Frost free is not good on fur it will dry out in a heart beat.

[strow]

Again, thank you all for the great advice! This freezer will be used year round from a fixed location. Space is not a huge issue so as advised I will look into a non-frost free +24sq/ft freezer.

Does anyone have a brand preference?

[SteveCraig]

Doesnt make any difference.... A service tech told me there are currently only 2 manufacturers in North America making all freezers for various companies.

[marbill]

Does anyone make any kind of "alarm" for a freezer if it quits or temps get above a certain temp?? I lost some nice fur due to freezer going out and I didnt catch it until to late.

[marbleyez2001]

May 26, 2009 9:48:03 GMT -6 marbill said:

Does anyone make any kind of "alarm" for a freezer if it quits or temps get above a certain temp?? I lost some nice fur due to freezer going out and I didnt catch it until to late.

Theyt do make them, have a few friends who use them. You have to be around the freezer to hear the alarm going off. So if it is in a garage where you do not frequent, or are out of town when it happens you are SOL!

[robertw]

More often than not it the electrical plug coming unplugged versus a freezer actually quitting.

Believe it or not....always check to make sure everything is plugged in solidly after high winds and storms. The walls on some outbuildings vibrate more (especially tin walls) than you realize and do cause some things to come un-plugged.

[trappnman]

learned that the hard way- all plugs are either wired or taped in for security

[foxtail]

May 26, 2009 17:06:29 GMT -6 trappnman said:

learned that the hard way- all plugs are either wired or taped in for security

This is a very good idea.

It will also help prevent the idiot brother in law from unplugging your freezer for "just a minute" and forgetting to plug it back in.

[trappnman]

LOL-

heck- it was just his hair blower for a minute...........

[humptulips]

As long as the subject of freezers has been brought up anyone know where or if you can get a propane powered freezer?

[michaelweese]

if your poor like us then you can make a 7 cubic feet freezer work! just can't get to far behind that way!