CHEST VS. UPRIGHT FREEZER: WHICH IS BEST?
When it's time to buy a freezer, you'll have two basic choices: an upright freezer or a chest deep freezer. There are some key differences between these two types of freezers beyond their vertical and horizontal setup. Get to know the pros and cons to decide which type of freezer is better for you.
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WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UPRIGHT FREEZERS VS. CHEST FREEZERS?
The main difference between upright and chest freezers is orientation. Upright freezers are sometimes called stand up freezers because they are more vertical. This gives you a tall storage space usually featuring shelves for easy organization. Chest freezers lay horizontally and are great for extra large items or deep freezer storage but can be more difficult to access.
Which one is right for you depends on your needs such as where it will be located, what you plan to store and a few other considerations. Learn more about freezer features and options, and what to look for in a freezer. Read on to decide whether you should bring home a chest vs. an upright freezer and learn more about Maytag® upright freezers and chest freezers.
CHEST VS. UPRIGHT FREEZER COMPARISON
Refer to the comparison chart below for an overview of the price, capacity and dimensions of upright and chest freezers from Maytag brand.
| ATTRIBUTES | UPRIGHT FREEZER | CHEST FREEZER |
|---|---|---|
| PRICE RANGE ESTIMATE |
$900 to $1,200 | $849 |
| CAPACITY |
16 to 20 cu. ft. |
16 cu. ft. |
| HEIGHT | 60 to 67 inches | 36 inches |
| WIDTH | 30 to 34 inches | 55 inches |
| DEPTH | 29 inches with door closed 55 to 59 inches with door opened |
27 inches |
UPRIGHT FREEZER BENEFITS
An upright freezer might be better than a chest freezer if you:
Have limited space: These standing freezers require less floor space, making them ideal for areas that require a smaller footprint or finished living spaces, such as a basement rec room or kitchen.
Store smaller items: Upright freezers usually come with organizational baskets, shelves, drawers, racks or door compartments. If you freeze small items like frozen dinners, packaged meats or produce, these interior features can help you stay organized instead of piling food up and losing track of what’s on the bottom.
Want easier access: Vertical freezers let you keep some items at eye-level and within reach for easier access. You also won’t need to bend over this type of freezer to get at what you need or when cleaning it out.
Want LED lighting: Select stand-up freezers feature energy-efficient LED lighting throughout to help you find just what you’re looking for when you need it.
Need flexible installation: Some standing freezers come with a reversible door so you can open it from the right or the left. If you need a flexible setup, this is an option to look out for.
Want automatic defrost: Some upright freezer options from Maytag brand feature automatic defrosting. This helps prevent icy build-up and also helps you avoid the slushy mess of manual defrosting. Learn how to defrost a freezer, if manual defrosting is needed, in this helpful guide.
Have steady power: Due to small gaps in the door mechanism, upright freezer do not have quite as tight a seal vs chest freezers and may not keep food frozen as long without power.
- Easy cleanup: Upright freezers can be easier to access with minimal bending while cleaning.
UPRIGHT FREEZER INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE CONSIDERATIONS
Taking a few precautionary steps while moving your appliance, knowing how much clearance you need and understanding electrical requirements can help you tackle the installation process for your upright freezer. Use these points to get an overview of the installation process. Always use the installation instructions that came with your model as your primary source of information.
Cover your floors with cardboard to help prevent damage while moving your upright freezer.
With the help of another person, move the appliance into place.
Measure your cutout space and be sure to account for one inch of clearance between the back of the freezer and adjacent wall, as well as three inches of clearance between the top and sides of the appliance.
Make sure there is enough room for the freezer door to fully open.
Plug the power cord into a grounded three-prong outlet. A 115-volt, 60 Hz.,15- or 20-amp fused grounded electrical supply is required. Consult a licensed electrician with questions or concerns regarding electrical requirements.
A thorough cleaning of your freezer should be done once a year to keep it up and running with dependable power. If you have icy build-up, empty your appliance and run a defrost cycle to clear any debris.
For safe and dependable service, explore the delivery and installation options from Maytag brand.
Shop the latest deals on select Maytag major appliances Shop Now
SHOP UPRIGHT FREEZERS FROM MAYTAG BRAND
Help keep your frozen favorites at their best with an upright freezer from Maytag brand. Interior shelves help you organize food and bright LED lighting helps you quickly find it when you need it. The FastFreeze option on select models drops the freezer to its coldest temperature for 24 hours to lock in flavor and freshness. Select Maytag® upright freezers automatically defrost to help prevent icy build-up on freezer walls.
CHEST FREEZER BENEFITS
You might prefer a chest freezer over a standing freezer if you:
Have plenty of floorspace: Chest freezers are short and wide, occupying more horizontal space than vertical. Chest freezers are ideal if you plan to keep it in a garage or basement with plenty of room. If you prefer this style but don’t have a lot of extra room, you can find small deep freezers to help minimize the footprint.
Buy and store in bulk: Chest freezers can maximize your deep freezer capacity due to the lack of shelves, drawers and dividers. If you buy in bulk or want to stock up on your favorite frozen items, even a small chest freezer makes the most of usable space.
Are a hunter: Chest freezers provide you with one, big open space perfect for larger items like sides of meat, whole turkeys, and oversized boxes. Though some models come with optional baskets or drawers, they can usually be removed.
Want to lock it: Chest freezers sometimes come with a lock for added security.
Frequently lose power: Chest freezers tend to have a tighter door seal and can sometimes keep items frozen for around two to three days without power.
Want a cost-effective option: Chest freezers from Maytag brand are a cost-effective option that’s ideal for bulk storage and food preservation.
- Want a consistent temperature: With deep storage and easy access racks, chest freezers can help keep your meat, vegetables and other foods fresh for the long haul.
CHEST FREEZER INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE CONSIDERATIONS
For installing your appliance, refer to these recommendations for moving your chest freezer, accounting for clearance between walls and checking electrical requirements. Get a feel for what’s involved with the points below. Always use the installation instructions that came with your model as your primary source of information.
Cover your floors with cardboard to help prevent damage while moving your chest freezer.
With the help of another person, move the appliance into place.
Measure your desired installation space and account for at least three inches of clearance on the sides and between the back of the freezer and the wall.
Leave ample room to open the lid.
Make sure the chest freezer is level.
Plug the power cord into a grounded three-prong outlet. A 115-volt, 60 Hz.,15- or 20-amp fused grounded electrical supply is required. Consult a licensed electrician with questions or concerns regarding electrical requirements.
To keep your freezer up and running, defrost and clean your appliance if you notice icy build-up inside of it.
Shop the latest deals on select Maytag major appliances Shop Now
SHOP CHEST FREEZERS FROM MAYTAG BRAND
Maximize your deep freezer storage with a chest freezer from Maytag brand. Shop small chest freezers for tight spaces or large deep freezers for bulk storage. Incandescent lighting helps you find everything in your freezer from popsicles to prime rib. A keyed door lock gives you extra security and peace of mind while a built-in drain makes defrosting or cleaning a snap.
HOW TO DECIDE WHAT SIZE CHEST OR UPRIGHT FREEZER YOU NEED
Freezer capacity might be the most important consideration when buying a freezer. Consider the size of your household and what kind of storage you need. If you have a small household and will use the freezer for overflow from your refrigerator freezer, you might only need a small chest or upright freezer. If you have more people at home and want a deep freezer for bulk buying or long-term storage, a large chest freezer might be best for you.
Both upright and chest freezer sizes can be found with capacities ranging from around three to 25 cu. ft. As a general rule of thumb, each cubic foot can hold approximately 25 lbs. of food. Here are some general ranges to help you choose whether a small, medium or large freezer is best.
Compact and small freezers: Compact upright or chest freezers are usually available with three to five cu. ft. of space inside and small freezers offer around five to nine cu. ft.
Medium to large freezers: Medium upright or chest freezers typically offer 10-16 cu. ft. of storage capacity while large freezers start with around 17 cu. ft. inside.
Maytag brand offers large upright freezers with up to 20 cu. ft. of space and large chest freezers with capacities up to 22 cu. ft.
Learn more about freezer sizes and dimensions to make sure you bring home the right one. Lastly, explore Maytag® freezers on sale to find current discounts and savings on chest and upright freezers.
