Best Door Freezer: Top 3 Options for Convenient Frozen Food Storage

Choosing a good door freezer that fits into your home, apartment, office, or garage will allow you to store your frozen foods with less effort. There are many options depending upon the amount of space you have, how much frozen food you plan to keep in it, what kind of control you want over the temperature of the unit, and how easy you would like to maintain the unit.

A quality freezer can help protect the freshness of your foods, make everyday meal prep easier and offer additional space for food storage if the freezer section of your refrigerator is not large enough. Many counter depth refrigerator french doors come in either an upright model that features shelving units, or a chest-style model that has a wide-open interior. Both types of freezers offer unique benefits based upon what you intend to do with them.

This article reviews three types of upright freezers: the Whynter Upright Mini Freezer, the BLACK+DECKER Compact Upright Freezer and the FRIGIDAIRE Chest Deep Freezer. These three models 30 french door fridge are similar but have various features and storage capacity which can be used to meet the needs of different families or individuals with varying lifestyles.

Comparison Table: Best Door Freezer

1. Whynter Upright Mini Freezer, 1.1 Cu Ft, Silver, CUF-112SS

This unit is an ideal choice for individuals who require some extra space to store their frozen foods, yet don’t want to invest in a larger refrigerator/freezer combination. This unit features 1.1 cubic feet of storage space and was created specifically for use in areas where a regular-sized appliance may be too big.

The silver finish of this unit and its stainless steel door provide a contemporary, sleek look. This is a very functional appliance for any type of smaller space (such as apartments, offices, dorm rooms etc.) that needs additional cold food storage.

One of the greatest benefits of this unit is that it has a keyed cylinder lock. In a household where multiple people use the same kitchen (i.e. room-mates) this will provide some added protection against others accessing what is inside. Also, because the door can be reversed, you can put the unit in any area that would be best for you.

Key Features

• The interior space of 1.1 cubic feet is ideal for storing smaller amounts of frozen foods, snacks and certain ingredients.
• The stainless steel door has a contemporary look which will match well with your existing appliances.
• The pull out shelf can be removed, allowing for easier organization of items within the unit as well as cleaning of the unit’s interior.
• Manual defrost allows you to remove ice that has built up on your freezer’s walls when performing routine maintenance.
• Shared living environments (e.g., apartment buildings, condos, etc.) often benefit from being able to limit entry into those areas.
• The door can be opened on either side, allowing you to choose which way it opens depending upon your space requirements.
• The recessed handle allows for the unit to have a smaller size on the outside.
• A quiet compressor that operates at low volume levels while providing consistent cooling.
• Energy performance of the unit is described by the manufacturer as being energy efficient. Actual energy use may vary based upon how it is used and under what circumstances it is operated.

Pros

• Small physical space requirement for apartments, dorm rooms, and office environments.
• The reversible door allows for more versatility when placing the product.
• The locking feature offers an additional layer of access control.
• The removable shelf will help you organize your food.
• Stainless steel creates a more contemporary look.
• Indoor locations that require quiet, can use these types of systems.

Cons

• This 1.1-cubic-foot capacity is too small for big families.
• Manual defrosting requires routine cleaning and upkeep.
• It can be hard to organize larger packages.
• While a small size can provide some benefit over an average-sized household appliance, it cannot compete with the storage space provided by most standard household appliances.
• Buyers should review the electrical specifications as well as any installation instructions prior to making a purchase.

2. BLACK+DECKER 1.2 Cu. Ft. Compact Upright Freezer, BUFK12W, White

The Black and Decker compact upright freezer provides homeowners with a second option for storing small amounts of food in a freezer while taking up very little space in their homes. It has a slightly larger capacity (1.2 cubic feet) than the Whynter model and can hold some frozen foods, snacks and everyday items.

The white color provides a clean look for both home and office settings. It has a small size, so it will fit well in a space with adequate air circulation and enough room to operate.

The model comes with a full width wire shelf, as well as an adjustable thermostat and leveling legs. These three features will help those individuals looking for basic organization and a way to adjust the temperature of their compact appliance.

Key Features

• The 1.2 cubic foot size offers a small amount of space to store daily frozen foods.
• The upright shape allows for greater visibility of your stored items and easier access to them compared to most deep chest freezer units.
• Full-width wire rack: Provides separation of frozen foods and organization for smaller items.
• An adjustable thermostat gives a user control over how high or low they would like the temperature settings to be.
• Leveling legs: Used to help ensure your appliance is level on an appropriate surface.
• The dimensions of this unit are about 19.69 x 19.29 x 19.72 inches, based on the manufacturer’s description.
• The size of this product can be easily moved; however, when moving the product, it must be done in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions. This product weighs about 40.77 pounds.
• The information provided states that the model described is “Energy Star” certified.
• Safety Certification by UL: The listing provided indicates that the item is safe for use and has been certified as such by UL.

Pros

• The size of the compact design is well-suited for smaller homes and apartments.
• Larger than the Whynter 1.1 cubic foot version.
• The level leg provides improved stability.
• The exterior of the building has a clean and simple look.
• The information that is provided regarding certifications is a very helpful source for you to use in order to help you determine which appliance would be best suited for your needs.

Cons

• I find the 1.2 cubic foot size to be too small when I am doing my grocery shopping in larger quantities.
• One full width shelf does not always have enough room to store all of your packaged foods.
• The manual defrost details as well as any additional maintenance requirements must be verified prior to making a purchase.
• Its compact size is not ideal for holding big pieces of meat and/or many food prep containers.
• The buyer must make sure that the product will fit where they plan on placing it, as well as if there are any electrical needs.

3. FRIGIDAIRE EFRF5003-BLACK Chest Deep Freezer, 5.0 Cu. Ft.

The FRIGIDAIRE EFRF5003-BLACK Chest Deep Freezer is made for individuals who want much more space to freeze items than what a smaller vertical freezer allows. The unit has 5.0 cubic feet of room to store more frozen food such as meat, ready-to-eat meals, snacks, and other types of frozen foods.

Unlike the other two upright units reviewed in this article, the appliance being discussed is a chest-style model, with a top opening door. This type of configuration may offer advantages when it comes to storing large quantities of groceries, and/or other items which may be awkward to store within the constraints of an upright cabinet.

The product has an adjustable thermostat with 7 different temperature levels (per the manufacturer’s product documentation).

Key Features

• 5.0 cubic feet of capacity: This is a significant increase in available space compared to the other two compact upright units we’ve looked at.
• The chest style design provides a large amount of space within for freezing food items and larger sized packaging.
• Temperature control is provided by an adjustable thermostat that allows for seven different setting options based on your storage requirements.
• Removable wire basket: Enables you to keep smaller foods separate from what is in the larger part of the refrigerator.
• The vinyl coated basket provides a covered area to organize the chosen frozen products.
• The external defrost drain allows you to easily remove the water produced when you are defrosting your refrigerator/freezer and cleaning inside.
• The power indicator light gives users the ability to see if the appliance is turned on.
• The aluminum interior lining creates an extremely resilient interior finish.
• A “Garage-Ready” designation on a product may allow for the installation of that product in an appropriate garage if all other operating requirements as specified by the manufacturer are met.
• A black exterior offers a clean, dark look which is well suited for utility spaces and other types of storage areas.

Pros

• Offers a lot more room than the small upright types of vacuum cleaners.
• Perfect for holding a great deal of frozen items.
• Removable Basket for Better Organization
• The use of 7 temperature settings provides a great deal of control over how you set your thermostat.
• An exterior defrost drain makes it easier to perform maintenance on your home.
• The power indicator light makes it easier to verify the operational state of a device.
• The chest-style layout allows for the accommodation of larger boxes or packages, as well as purchasing in larger quantities.

Cons

• This appliance takes up more room on your floor than an upright mini-appliance.
• Adequate clearance is required for the top-opening lid on the unit.
• Bottom items will likely be more difficult to access unless the contents are rearranged.
• Manual defrosting will take some time as well as periodic maintenance.
• For individuals that need to regularly remove single pieces from their storage, a chest-type unit might not provide the same degree of ease of use as an upright unit.
• Garage installation needs to be verified against the manufacturer’s specified temperature operating range and all other installation requirements.

How to Choose the Best Door Freezer

Compare the amount of storage each device offers.

The amount of space a product has to offer is one of the top factors that people consider when they are buying products.

The Whynter is 1.1 cu ft. and the BLACK+DECKER is 1.2 cu ft. They both provide a small space to store items in, and would be good for single people or families with few members

Also read Best 5 Fridge and Ice Maker

Measure how much room you have for the product.

The best way to ensure that your new appliance will fit into the space you have planned for it is to measure the installation site. You should include the total dimensions of the appliance (width, height, and depth) as well as the amount of room needed for ventilation, power access, and to open up the appliance’s door/lid.

An upright model will take advantage of vertical space and works well in tight spaces. However, if there is enough floor space in the utility room, a chest-type unit might be more appropriate.

Think about the style of the door.

The Whynter can be set up as either a right-side-opening or left-side-opening unit; this gives you many choices for placement around your home. The BLACK+DECKER is designed with a vertical door, giving you easy access from the front.

The FRIGIDAIRE features a top-opening chest door; this type of design allows for the storage of larger objects, however, you will need ample clearance above the appliance so that you can easily access the contents.

Final Verdict:

How much frozen food do you plan to store? What are the space constraints within your home? Your answer will help determine which type of freezer is right for you.

If you require a compact appliance with a lockable door, can be set up as either left or right-handed, and has an adjustable shelf, then the Whynter Upright Mini Freezer may be what you’re looking for. This type of freezer is best suited for small areas that do not have large storage needs.

The Black + Decker compact upright freezer provides users with a functional upright model that has an adjustable temperature control and wire shelves. This small compact freezer (1.2 cubic feet) allows users to store some frozen items, but not a significant amount of food as part of a weekly shopping trip.

The Frigidaire EFRF5003-Black Chest Deep Freezer offers an option for those seeking a larger storage solution. With its 5.0 cubic foot interior, adjustable temperature control, removable basket, and defrost drain, this freezer is a good choice for storing items in bulk or preparing meals for families.

We recommend that you choose the Whynter if you require a compact storage unit that has access control features. If you are looking for an easy-to-use option that is suitable for daily use in a small area, then we would suggest the BLACK+DECKER. For storing large amounts of frozen food, we would advise you to consider the FRIGIDAIRE.