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The term “freezer” can refer to a room, a cabinet or even a fridge. However, the term is used most frequently to refer to a special compartment of the refrigerator, in which meat and other perishable foodstuff are stored at freezing temperatures. The food is usually preserved in a frozen condition and is thawed before food preparation or consumption. Today, most homes have a good freezer, which stores food at an optimum temperature of around –18 degrees Celcius (0 degrees Fahrenheit).

In around 1916, fridge models came with a small freezer for ice trays. In the late 1920s, fresh vegetables were successfully frozen for the first time by the Postum Company and, in the 1940s, domestic freezers found their way into almost every home in the United States. The early freezer models tended to accumulate ice crystals around the freezing units due to the external humidity and required periodic cleaning to keep the machine in good condition. This problem was solved when frost-free units were introduced in the 1950s.

There are two kinds of freezers: the stand-alone unit or the freezer fridge unit, which is a combination of a fridge and a freezer. The stand-alone models are often chest freezers and are great for storing food items in a bulk. A small chest freezer would be suitable for a small family of about four people. A medium-sized freezer could accommodate the needs of a small office or shop; and the largest models would be suitable for supermarkets, where you might need to store large pieces of meat and other food items in bulk on a regular basis.

When shopping for a freezer, you should consider its capacity and the location in which it will be kept. An energy ratings chart can help you to identify energy efficient models to reduce your electricity bills. Moreover, it is important to check for other features such as extended freezer coils for maintaining optimum temperature, a proper defrost drain or hose, heavy duty hinges, a textured exterior, a seamless interior, an ice maker and a fast freeze section.

It is important to organise your freezer to keep sufficient space around each item to allow circulation and to maintain an even temperature. Taking care in this way will also reduce repeated freezing and thawing of the food.