You’re very experienced w/freezing. Our freezer is about 30 years old. How big is yours? We have two humans (in the family, not in the freezer.) Do you have a reliable source of power? How about a generator? Would appreciate all input.
Libby, is this hijacking? If so, please excuse and will PM from now on. Just thought that maybe someone else might have same questions.
I’m well versed in freezing - I just don’t thaw out well - lol
Any time something is getting close to expiration I stick it in the freezer - months go by and I keep shoving stuff into the recesses of that thing - I don’t take out-thaw-and use as I should.
During our last power outage (October-5 days) I lost everything in the freezer - as pathetic as it sounds I had meat in there with a 2007 date on it - ick! I really-really don’t like to thaw out stuff:>) Most packages get lost in that thing - who knows, I bet there’s some ‘one socks’ in there too:>)
The ‘homemade soup day’ holiday got me to take around 5 carcasses out of the freezer - still simmering the bones today....I’ll be putting most of it into the muffin tins to freeze as broth for recipes (saving $1 per the can stuff) - and soup for a day or two with the rest.
I have used the excuse that a full freezer is more efficient - I heard it somewhere and I’m sticking to it :>)...Slowly I am getting better at Thawing....and Spring is right around the corner!
What I wouldn’t give for a generator but convincing non-prepper hubby is too difficult.
Our 20 year old freezer went out a couple years ago but we we have family around, coolers and got another delivered that afternoon. I don’t know the specs on it but the outside measures 66” tall x 32” wide. It’s smaller than what I’m used to but with the kids gone, it’s fine for the two of us. Living out in the country it’s easier to grocery shop in the freezer than drive into town so you might want a smaller one.
I like uprights rather than chests. Chests are just too much trouble digging down to the bottom corner for something and you never know what needs to be used. With an upright, it’s easier to organize - top shelf is chicken and fish, second shelf is beef, third is pork, forth for stuff like stocks or vegetables and the basket (a MUST HAVE) for all those little odd shaped things like cheese and sausage. Another must have is shelves on the door for flour, juice cans and vegetables.
Hope that helps.