Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Phronesis on August 08, 2022, 10:43:03 AM

Title: Any suggestions for good quality chest freezer?
Post by: Phronesis on August 08, 2022, 10:43:03 AM
Hi folks,

My wife and I are having a fight over the freezer space :D So here I am, in the market to buy a chest freezer (around 7 to 9 cu ft) that goes below -21 C. This will be mainly to store some of the fish I catch (hopefully) I caught two red springs and my current freezer is full already along with other stuff.

Budget is around 800$ - looking for some good quality and long lasting ones

Let me know your recommendations

Thanks
Title: Re: Any suggestions for good quality chest freezer?
Post by: bravo252 on August 08, 2022, 11:57:58 AM
Go check costco. Danby 10cu for $450 before tax.
My 7cu danby is serving me more than 10 years without any hassle.
Title: Re: Any suggestions for good quality chest freezer?
Post by: Blood_Orange on August 08, 2022, 02:35:39 PM
Second the Costco recommendation. Why -21 in particular? Eating sashimi? ;D

I bought a vacuum sealer (Foodsaver brand) years ago at Costco. Wasn't sure if we'd use it much, or if it would be one of those things you sell a few years down the road after having used it twice. We've wound up using it a ton for fish processing... eating fish that's been in the freezer for 12 months and tastes the same as the day it went in. We also buy the giant packs of meat at the store, then divide it into smaller bags and freeze it. Would recommend looking into those units, if you don't already have one!
Title: Re: Any suggestions for good quality chest freezer?
Post by: bravo252 on August 08, 2022, 02:54:58 PM
Second the Costco recommendation. Why -21 in particular? Eating sashimi? ;D

I bought a vacuum sealer (Foodsaver brand) years ago at Costco. Wasn't sure if we'd use it much, or if it would be one of those things you sell a few years down the road after having used it twice. We've wound up using it a ton for fish processing... eating fish that's been in the freezer for 12 months and tastes the same as the day it went in. We also buy the giant packs of meat at the store, then divide it into smaller bags and freeze it. Would recommend looking into those units, if you don't already have one!
X2
Title: Re: Any suggestions for good quality chest freezer?
Post by: Phronesis on August 08, 2022, 03:08:32 PM
Go check costco. Danby 10cu for $450 before tax.
My 7cu danby is serving me more than 10 years without any hassle.

Thanks - will definitely check it out
Title: Re: Any suggestions for good quality chest freezer?
Post by: Phronesis on August 08, 2022, 03:16:24 PM
Second the Costco recommendation. Why -21 in particular? Eating sashimi? ;D

I bought a vacuum sealer (Foodsaver brand) years ago at Costco. Wasn't sure if we'd use it much, or if it would be one of those things you sell a few years down the road after having used it twice. We've wound up using it a ton for fish processing... eating fish that's been in the freezer for 12 months and tastes the same as the day it went in. We also buy the giant packs of meat at the store, then divide it into smaller bags and freeze it. Would recommend looking into those units, if you don't already have one!

Will check Costco recommendation.
Thats right - I love Sashimi, and would like to have it even after the salmon season. I just got vacuum sealer :D Never had a fish in freezer for longer periods of time, will try sealing them for the rest of the year. Thanks
Title: Re: Any suggestions for good quality chest freezer?
Post by: Blood_Orange on August 08, 2022, 03:23:50 PM
One word of advice for the vacuum sealers: be careful handling the packages before and after freezing, because the pin bones in the fish will sometimes poke an invisible hole in the bag that ruins the seal. Every time we get a piece out for dinner, I always check to see if any bags have been compromised (the plastic gets a bit loose) and then use that one first.

Spot prawns are the worst for poking holes in the bags. I found that wrapping them in parchment paper and then sealing them works pretty well to prevent punctures.
Title: Re: Any suggestions for good quality chest freezer?
Post by: Phronesis on August 08, 2022, 03:59:40 PM
One word of advice for the vacuum sealers: be careful handling the packages before and after freezing, because the pin bones in the fish will sometimes poke an invisible hole in the bag that ruins the seal. Every time we get a piece out for dinner, I always check to see if any bags have been compromised (the plastic gets a bit loose) and then use that one first.

Spot prawns are the worst for poking holes in the bags. I found that wrapping them in parchment paper and then sealing them works pretty well to prevent punctures.

Oh wow thats a good point, never thought of it and thanks for the great tip. I am too lazy to remove the bones so wrapping it would definitely help.
Was looking up Costco online - How does Frigidaire compare with Danby?
Title: Re: Any suggestions for good quality chest freezer?
Post by: Roderick on August 08, 2022, 04:00:53 PM
My Danby just keeps going and going even in this heat  :D

For long term storage, make sure the freezer is not frost free.  Not only are regular freezers cheaper, your stuff lasts easily twice as long. 
Title: Re: Any suggestions for good quality chest freezer?
Post by: Phronesis on August 08, 2022, 04:34:40 PM
My Danby just keeps going and going even in this heat  :D

For long term storage, make sure the freezer is not frost free.  Not only are regular freezers cheaper, your stuff lasts easily twice as long.

Danby it is then.
Didnt know about frost free freezers until you mentioned it, only makes sense, thanks
Title: Re: Any suggestions for good quality chest freezer?
Post by: blueback on August 09, 2022, 03:07:51 PM
I've had my Danby upright freezer for 17 years now and still works well (knocks head and crosses fingers).
Title: Re: Any suggestions for good quality chest freezer?
Post by: CohoJake on August 09, 2022, 03:10:39 PM
Something I learned the hard way - don't EVER plug your chest freezer into an extension cord, even if it is one "for appliances". That was the only reason mine died, and it was an instant death.
Title: Re: Any suggestions for good quality chest freezer?
Post by: Phronesis on August 09, 2022, 05:53:47 PM
Interesting, all my appliances are connected directly to wall socket. It makes sense to have appliances connect directly since some can draw more power at times like during startups
Title: Re: Any suggestions for good quality chest freezer?
Post by: Fish Assassin on August 09, 2022, 06:18:02 PM
Interesting, all my appliances are connected directly to wall socket. It makes sense to have appliances connect directly since some can draw more power at times like during startups

Interesting. Why not ?
Title: Re: Any suggestions for good quality chest freezer?
Post by: fic on August 10, 2022, 09:10:48 AM
Something I learned the hard way - don't EVER plug your chest freezer into an extension cord, even if it is one "for appliances". That was the only reason mine died, and it was an instant death.

I had no problems with it. Why do you think your extension cord killed the fridge?
Title: Re: Any suggestions for good quality chest freezer?
Post by: CohoJake on August 10, 2022, 10:09:27 AM
I had no problems with it. Why do you think your extension cord killed the fridge?
Everything I have read specifically warns against it, and the death was instant - as soon as I plugged it in with an extension cord, it was dead. Worked fine before that. I was rearranging my garage and thought I could move the freezer 3 feet to the left. I was wrong.
Title: Re: Any suggestions for good quality chest freezer?
Post by: fic on August 10, 2022, 10:28:54 AM
Everything I have read specifically warns against it, and the death was instant - as soon as I plugged it in with an extension cord, it was dead. Worked fine before that. I was rearranging my garage and thought I could move the freezer 3 feet to the left. I was wrong.
I may have gotten away it with because I have the smallest Danby Upright model.  If I had room to squeeze in a bigger model, I would have bought it.
Title: Re: Any suggestions for good quality chest freezer?
Post by: GordJ on August 10, 2022, 07:04:45 PM
Everything I have read specifically warns against it, and the death was instant - as soon as I plugged it in with an extension cord, it was dead. Worked fine before that. I was rearranging my garage and thought I could move the freezer 3 feet to the left. I was wrong.
As someone who was an electrical journeyman for about 45 years this is the first that I have heard of this. I can’t imagine that there is any way that the freezer can tell that one of the thousands of pieces of wire between it and the generation source is an extension cord. Or why this one piece of copper wire is verboten. I can’t speak to your experience but I have had freezers plugged into extension cords since the Beegees were number one with no issues at all. Sorry but it doesn’t pass the smell test in my opinion.
Title: Re: Any suggestions for good quality chest freezer?
Post by: Phronesis on August 10, 2022, 11:22:07 PM
As someone who was an electrical journeyman for about 45 years this is the first that I have heard of this. I can’t imagine that there is any way that the freezer can tell that one of the thousands of pieces of wire between it and the generation source is an extension cord. Or why this one piece of copper wire is verboten. I can’t speak to your experience but I have had freezers plugged into extension cords since the Beegees were number one with no issues at all. Sorry but it doesn’t pass the smell test in my opinion.

Several articles and manuals say that one should avoid connecting multiple appliances to an extension cord and reason is due to possible voltage drop, this could definitely kill an appliance. For references just google
Title: Re: Any suggestions for good quality chest freezer?
Post by: RalphH on August 11, 2022, 07:00:01 AM
Extension cords 101: https://www.electrical101.com/extension-cords.html

the issue is with high wattage/amp drop


"Extension Cords with High Wattage Appliances

Certain high wattage appliances should not use an extension cord when possible (check the owner’s manual). Using an extension cord on these appliances could cause excessive heat and voltage drop, this could damage the appliance or motor.

Some high wattage appliances have a short cord to minimize voltage drop, and should be placed near a receptacle. Vacuum cleaners have a long cord and should not need an extension cord.

If an extension cord is absolutely needed, use one with the proper rating (derated by 125% when necessary) and as short as needed. You can find an extension cord specific for window air conditioners.

Below is a list of high wattage appliances that should not use an extension cord when possible.



    Hair dryer
    Electric space heater
    Window air conditioner
    Garbage compactor

    Countertop microwave
    Electric tea kettle
    Toaster / toaster oven
    Coffee maker"
Title: Re: Any suggestions for good quality chest freezer?
Post by: GordJ on August 11, 2022, 07:39:12 AM
For references just google
I don’t think I need to google anything. I understand electricity quite well. Ignoring people with experience and “googling” is how we end up with anti vaxers, flat earthers and Illuminati haters. An extension cord is just a piece of wire and freezer compressors just use ordinary electrical motors. Use a piece of wire that is rated for the load and forget about it.No voodoo, no special needs.
Title: Re: Any suggestions for good quality chest freezer?
Post by: RalphH on August 11, 2022, 09:17:47 AM
I can't think of a single way that even an inadequate extension cord would mean instant death for a freezer. There must have been another wiring problem or in the freezer unit itself. as i understand it if the cord isn't adequate it may get hot. Likewise the freezer motor may be damaged over a period of time - like hours. I also defer to Gord as it's his profession.
Title: Re: Any suggestions for good quality chest freezer?
Post by: Phronesis on August 11, 2022, 09:28:08 AM
I don’t think I need to google anything. I understand electricity quite well. Ignoring people with experience and “googling” is how we end up with anti vaxers, flat earthers and Illuminati haters. An extension cord is just a piece of wire and freezer compressors just use ordinary electrical motors. Use a piece of wire that is rated for the load and forget about it.No voodoo, no special needs.

Absolutely, nothing beats experience, but are they right all the time? probably not
Most people, including me, would not calculate load for each appliance that goes into the extension. So its easier to tell common people like me to just avoid connecting multiple appliances to an extension than explaining all the technicalities.

Nothing wrong with googling as long as you know the right articles/sources you are referring from.
Title: Re: Any suggestions for good quality chest freezer?
Post by: Roderick on August 11, 2022, 06:58:34 PM
On the other hand, moving a freezer, especially an old one, can cause problems. Just a thought. 
Title: Re: Any suggestions for good quality chest freezer?
Post by: GordJ on August 11, 2022, 08:53:17 PM
Absolutely, nothing beats experience, but are they right all the time? probably not
Most people, including me, would not calculate load for each appliance that goes into the extension. So its easier to tell common people like me to just avoid connecting multiple appliances to an extension than explaining all the technicalities.

Nothing wrong with googling as long as you know the right articles/sources you are referring from.
I guess you’re right and I’m wrong. Go with the internet guy, he’s an expert. But who brought up multiple appliances? We are talking about one freezer on an extension.
Title: Re: Any suggestions for good quality chest freezer?
Post by: ern on August 12, 2022, 12:13:44 PM
Everything I have read specifically warns against it, and the death was instant - as soon as I plugged it in with an extension cord, it was dead. Worked fine before that. I was rearranging my garage and thought I could move the freezer 3 feet to the left. I was wrong.

Maybe a fuse? My first thought was voltage drop. Introducing additional resistance caused by the extension cord (its gauge and length) will result in a voltage drop that will in turn cause the fridge to draw more current to perform its normal function (ohm's law). I'm sure there will be some wiggle room depending on the fridge, but basically more current drawn will result in increased heat which can stress out the compressor motor.

Although overly simplistic, I like this article as it clearly explains some potential hazards that may be encountered when using an extension cord with a fridge. It also provides guidance if you do want to use one.
https://101appliance.com/can-you-use-an-extension-cord-for-a-refrigerator/ (https://101appliance.com/can-you-use-an-extension-cord-for-a-refrigerator/)
Title: Re: Any suggestions for good quality chest freezer?
Post by: dennisK on August 13, 2022, 07:23:12 PM
thx