603419 Fri Mar 13 08:16:05 -0700 2009 22 41 Cookware 0 4501112 I have a large French door style fridge with a nice sized freezer below. But the freezer is getting really, really full (and a lot of that is CH's fault!) Yesterday I made about TWO GALLONS of turkey stock. There's already about a gallon of beef stock in there. Along with Bolognese, burgers, roasts, etc. Have you ever seen a mini-freezer. Like the "dorm fridge." I have neither room nor interest in a big freezer or a second fridge. But if there were something compact, I could probably put it in the bottom of a closet or something. Anyone know about this? Thanks. Fri Mar 13 08:16:05 -0700 2009 131001 c oliver 1 4501153 I work in a research lab and we have mini freezers. Check Kenmore, that's the brand of ours. I have no idea where we got them. If you can't find them at sears, home depot, ie the normal places, try googling lab supply companies. Fri Mar 13 08:24:49 -0700 2009 4501112 135452 pollymerase 2 4501204 Thank you. I wasn't sure the animal existed. Now that I know it does, I'm on the hunt :) Fri Mar 13 08:36:53 -0700 2009 4501153 131001 c oliver 1 4501168 Yup. There are dorm size freezers, under-the-counter freezers (about the same capacity), and sizes on up to the big guys. But you really need to face up to things... If you've filled your bottom freezer, you will fill a dorm size freezer in a heart beat! Chowhounds need BIG freezers! At least this one does. So, if you can clean out a corner in the garage big enough for a 25 cu. ft. ENERGY STAR freezer, you'll be way ahead of the game! And keep in mind, no matter how cheap it is, you do NOT want a chest freezer. You end up stacking stuff on top of it, then when you want something out of it you decided it's too much trouble to move all the junk to get at it so you end up making something else, thereby totally defeating the advantage of having a freezer! Get an upright Energy Star and you'll be a happy camper for years to come. Or you can get the dorm size, and I'll bet in about six years you'll have at least three of them! '-) Fri Mar 13 08:28:08 -0700 2009 4501112 112096 Caroline1 2 4501274 I hear ya, girlfriend. But I have no garage and no basement and definitely no room in the house for anything. (Just got an immersion blender and it sat on the counter for days while I was trying to figure out where to put it.) Thanks to pollymerase I already found one at Home Depot for $200 but it IS the chest type and I do know the hazards of that. But the uprights in a smallish size start around $500 which I don't want to pay. I do have the key to my next door neighbor's house. Do you thnk they'd notice if I put a biggie in their laundry room???? I think perhaps this won't be an impulse purchase. Thanks for weighing in and bringing me to my senses. We old broads are good for something, aren't we? :) Fri Mar 13 08:52:20 -0700 2009 4501168 131001 c oliver 3 4501291 Well, if we can save anyone from having to learn from experience, it's worth the effort! Good luck with the neighbor. '-) Fri Mar 13 08:55:27 -0700 2009 4501274 112096 Caroline1 3 4501445 I managed to find a used upright freezer for about $100 delivered. It's lasted about 8 years so far. Can't imagine living without it. Perhaps that's an option if you find the space but not the money. Fri Mar 13 09:34:48 -0700 2009 4501274 186925 why_itsme 4 4501477 It's space first and money a close second. To make matters worse, we live in a chalet-style home so the upstairs has sloping ceilings which further limits us. I'm pondering the idea of what if I had a chest-style but used it for things easy to segregate/package together. For instance I would store stock only in it. I could take my sausage and burgers and put them in larger bags or even a box. I don't know. Still haven't given up on the neighbor :) Fri Mar 13 09:43:42 -0700 2009 4501445 131001 c oliver 5 4501530 segregation is a good policy. I have two freezers (I know,,, big house) and I use the one in the garage only for things that I have definite plans for in the next few days, stuff to make stock with and stock, and other "easily definable" things. The one in the basement gets the frozen soups and everything else. It really helps. Fri Mar 13 10:01:51 -0700 2009 4501477 18353 DGresh 5 4758426 I had a chest freezer (one of the smaller ones 7 cu) and loved it. I had absolutely no problem with finding food or anything like that. Now I did make sure that I was well organized and had most of the small items and stuff I was more likely to use on a regular basis in my regular freezer. In my chest freezer, I stored meat, frozen vegetables, leftovers, pizza and such like that. It came with racks that you could use for items you want quick access to, and if you always store the frozen vegetables in one area and stack them and the different meats in other areas, you should have no problem. I didn't have any issues remembering what I put in there, but if you do, you could get one of those small write/erase boards and put it near the freezer. The chest freezers are much more energy efficient than the uprights. I found it no harder to find food than in an upright, and it seemed there was more space for larger items. Oh, and using large freezer bags to put like items, say chicken breasts, together is definitely helpful, and if you really need it, you can always get more racks or dividers to organize. Tue Jun 09 19:20:45 -0700 2009 4501477 1082063 Euphractus 6 4759555 Thanks for weighing in. I've shelved the idea for the time being as we're trying to cut back on spending. But it's definitely in my future Wed Jun 10 07:52:29 -0700 2009 4758426 131001 c oliver 1 4501305 I have a small chest freezer (7 cu.ft. I think) It is a PITA because you CAN'T FIND ANYTHING!!!!. It does have one good use though. I have a small apt and it is extra badly needed counter space. I would miss it. Fri Mar 13 08:58:40 -0700 2009 4501112 251167 billieboy 1 4501860 Unfortunately I'm pretty certain that all the small-size consumer freezers in the lower price range are the chest type. I looked for a year for one that would hold ice cubes and a small amount of frozen food and wound up with a Costco-bought ice-maker and gave up on the food part. There are 10-11 cu ft upright freezers and under-counter commercial units around but the price is, as you say, North of $400. With all the businesses closing these days, the used commercial supply places may be a source to try. Fri Mar 13 11:33:52 -0700 2009 4501112 11405 Midlife 1 4501880 http://www.compactappliance.com/Freezer/Appliances-Freezers,default,sc.html?%20Brand%20Freezers&mtcpromotion=google%3EFreezers&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Freezers&utm_medium=Compact%20&%20Brand%20Freezers%20(Exact)&utm_term=small%20freezers&src=google&gclid=CJm9ofLFoJkCFR2dnAodplN4qA http://www3.shopping.com/xPP-freezers-small_freezer http://www.frigidaire.com/products/freezers.asp ---------- Many brands, lots of styles. Fri Mar 13 11:37:05 -0700 2009 4501112 232829 kchurchill5 2 4502003 Where were you when I needed you?? :o) Fri Mar 13 12:07:20 -0700 2009 4501880 11405 Midlife 3 4502018 Me and my family had big freezers, little ones, all kinds. Now way more accessible. They are great some of the small ones. I had a small chest at my place and loved it. sorry I wasn't there for you :) Fri Mar 13 12:11:03 -0700 2009 4502003 232829 kchurchill5 2 4502041 k, thanks so much for this. I'm thrilled to know that there are affordable options. Now - is the Dow up today???? Just had to replace my digital camera when my husband "lost" it in three feet of fresh powder (that's snow for you Floridians!) Fri Mar 13 12:16:37 -0700 2009 4501880 131001 c oliver 3 4502058 Dow up 4 days in a row if it holds another 40 minutes. Yippee!!!! Recession over! Back to work! Right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fri Mar 13 12:23:24 -0700 2009 4502041 11405 Midlife 4 4502071 Fingers crossed!!!!!!!!! I have a neighbor, retired like us, who hasn't looked at her statements since September because she's skeered :) Fri Mar 13 12:27:24 -0700 2009 4502058 131001 c oliver 3 4502092 Hey you are talking to an avid skier. What I would give some powder right now. I was supposed to be in Winter park :) I have skied most out there, actually a ski instructor when in college. Did Vail, Aspen, Wolf, Beaver, Copper, Arapaho, Alta, Park C, Taho Taos, and many more. I think I lost more than just a camera is fresh powder, lol. Lots more!! I do miss it ... for at least a week or two every year. My tan looks better than yours those. I used to love the neck up and the raccoon look, very stylish!! Have my brokers license too, but I can happily say, I'm not part of it any more. You want ulcers, that is what to be involved in. Can't help with that. Fri Mar 13 12:34:59 -0700 2009 4502041 232829 kchurchill5 1 4759586 I was going to suggest a big one, and then use it as a coffee table :) Get some baize, and you could make it into a pool table... Wed Jun 10 08:01:06 -0700 2009 4501112 180623 Soop 2 4759601 Both outstanding ideas :) Wed Jun 10 08:04:50 -0700 2009 4759586 131001 c oliver 1 4766381 I have a Kenmore freezer too, it is front loading and fits under the counter where a dishwasher would go. I am on my second. ~$150 each Fri Jun 12 08:13:57 -0700 2009 4501112 46649 kayakado