Buyer's guide to freezers

Most models do a fine job, but one model left us cold

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.