June 2007
Buyer’s guide to freezers
Most models do a fine job, but one model left us cold
Unlike with a refrigerator, you don't ask too much of a standalone freezer. Those limited-frills, single-duty appliances aren't equipped with through-the-door
water, quick-defrost or rapid-chill drawers, or high-tech multimedia gadgets, When it comes to a freezer--whether it costs
$200 or $800--the assumption is pretty basic: A freezer should keep food frozen.
Most brands achieve that goal, but our latest testing found one model that couldn't do its job. (Note: Those results are an improvement over our 2005 freezers report, when three models left us--and the food they were supposed to keep frozen--lukewarm.)
Food on the top door shelf of the GE FUM5SN[WW] upright never reached a temperature below 34 degrees F and reached nearly 48 degrees F in our tests. That poor performance led us to judge it Not Acceptable. Our test-based Ratings
All manufacturers claim that their freezers, if left unopened, will store food adequately for 24 hours if the power fails. But our tests found significant differences between chest freezers and uprights after only nine hours. Chest freezers, because of their design, generally do a better job staying cold and keeping food that way.
Most manufacturers also say that their freezers can operate in a room where the temperature is between 32 degrees and 110 degrees F, though they also indicate that spaces colder than 32 degrees F will not affect freezer operation. (Note that the Whirlpool EH151FXR[Q] and Maytag MQU1654BE[W] have an operating range of only 32 degrees to 110 degrees F.) If you plan to house the freezer in an unheated area, such as a garage, adhere to the manufacturer's specified operating range.
The Department of Agriculture recommends storing frozen foods at 0 degrees F. You should discard foods that have reached temperatures above 40 degrees F for more than two hours, as they might be spoiled. For guidelines on frozen-food safety, read the "Freezing and Food Safety" guidelines from the Department of Agriculture.
Most brands achieve that goal, but our latest testing found one model that couldn't do its job. (Note: Those results are an improvement over our 2005 freezers report, when three models left us--and the food they were supposed to keep frozen--lukewarm.)
Food on the top door shelf of the GE FUM5SN[WW] upright never reached a temperature below 34 degrees F and reached nearly 48 degrees F in our tests. That poor performance led us to judge it Not Acceptable. Our test-based Ratings
(available to subscribers)
will help you to find a freezer that does its job well.All manufacturers claim that their freezers, if left unopened, will store food adequately for 24 hours if the power fails. But our tests found significant differences between chest freezers and uprights after only nine hours. Chest freezers, because of their design, generally do a better job staying cold and keeping food that way.
Most manufacturers also say that their freezers can operate in a room where the temperature is between 32 degrees and 110 degrees F, though they also indicate that spaces colder than 32 degrees F will not affect freezer operation. (Note that the Whirlpool EH151FXR[Q] and Maytag MQU1654BE[W] have an operating range of only 32 degrees to 110 degrees F.) If you plan to house the freezer in an unheated area, such as a garage, adhere to the manufacturer's specified operating range.
The Department of Agriculture recommends storing frozen foods at 0 degrees F. You should discard foods that have reached temperatures above 40 degrees F for more than two hours, as they might be spoiled. For guidelines on frozen-food safety, read the "Freezing and Food Safety" guidelines from the Department of Agriculture.
