Long term freezer storage...not what you think.
Posted by HajjiBalls@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 45 comments
What is the best small chest freezer to buy for my off grid cabin? I want to buy one, make sure it works, them out it back in the box and store it in my garage for future use, if I need it. Garage temps range from -50 to 105f. If I have to bug out to the cabin I want something to freeze deer,fish and grouse.
FlashyImprovement5@reddit
Don't
They go bad in storage
HajjiBalls@reddit (OP)
That my friend IS my question.....why do they go bad if not used?
HajjiBalls@reddit (OP)
And does anybody make a good one that won't go bad?
grahampositive@reddit
I suppose an all electric one without a compressor and refrigerant might do better under those storage conditions but I'm not aware of one that can reach -20C
EnderWiggin42@reddit
There are 2 refrigeration systems that don't use compressors.
Solid state peltier, which are reliable but consumer a ton of power, generat quite alot of waste heat and probably won't maintain the desired temperature with a single layer stack.
And ammonia absorption refrigeration. Which only really requires a heat source to operate. Though i'm unsure of long term reliability personally.
stephenph@reddit
My FiL had a propane based standup fridge/freezer from the 50s in his cabin (used every summer for at least a few weeks). I am not sure if any maintenance he had to do in it, but I don't think a lot besides shutting it down properly each season.
grahampositive@reddit
Yes I was referring to the solid state ones.
OtherwiseAlbatross14@reddit
Those are ridiculously inefficient and would be the worse possible option for a solar setup
Rex_Lee@reddit
Maybe leave it on but at the highest setting at it isn't working very hard
FlashyImprovement5@reddit
They have seals. The seals break down in heat. When in use, the seals are being kept cold and are being used. There are chemicals that circulate that have added petroleums that lubricate nanny of the deals.
Just sitting- the seals have none of that.
Maltz42@reddit
It's the lubrication more than the heat, but yeah - the seals/gaskets/etc will dry out and break down faster when not in use.
That's actually true of most machines - regular (or at least, occasional) use will get you longer life than sitting idle, even with the added wear-and-tear. That's why it's critical to run things like emergency generators now and then, and whole-house generators typically do an automated run for a few minutes every week or month.
MetalHeadJoe@reddit
Why not just keep it at the cabin so it's already where you want it?
HajjiBalls@reddit (OP)
Space, energy usage, and it just seems silly to keep it cold if I'm not using it. Ice cream is in the refrigerator freezer.
OtherwiseAlbatross14@reddit
So are you planning to be using it in the garage or storing it in the garageit?
Londonlaz@reddit
Def water and functional beverages imo. Because sometime people have to take in sugar and vitamin in time. Energy drink would be practical.
_Kiritsugu_@reddit
I‘d go with a small, energy-efficient chest freezer like a 5 cu ft Midea. Works well with solar panels. A Bluetti like the AC200MAX or Apex 300 with B300K would handle it nicely. Since your temps swing from -50 to 105, probably a good idea to test the freezer now and then just to be safe.
Traditional_Neat_387@reddit
Honestly best bet is getting a simple freezer and getting the spare parts for it plus learning a little bit of basic freezer repair,
HajjiBalls@reddit (OP)
Now right there folks....that's a true prepper. That is my new plan. Extra compressor and refrigerant. You simply made my day.
Traditional_Neat_387@reddit
Also a little bit of soldering knowledge is handy in event of rodents honestly not as expensive of a skill to learn as many would think, also opens the door to brazing
Traditional_Neat_387@reddit
Also thank you I try lmao
Traditional_Neat_387@reddit
Hey man if you need any more tips I’ve picked up I’m glad to share ask away and I prob know a little bit of it
Ok_Fill5219@reddit
The refrigerant sits in the compressor and can cause issues. Best bet is to leave it on. Bring some frozen water bottles and leave them in it. To make it last plug it in.
No_Character_5315@reddit
Get a glass of water freeze it put a coin on top if you come back and the coin is at the bottom of the glass or partially down it you know thawed and the ice melted at some point.
Dry-Fox-3287@reddit
We just use half empty water bottles and freeze the laying down then stand them up once frozen.
throwAwayWd73@reddit
Unfortunately, In my household that would never work. I'm getting to the point I'm debating installing a lock to prevent my spouse from accessing it without approval.
Our wireless thermometer routinely goes off because somebody gets into the freezer and moves stuff around where it doesn't properly close.
reminder_to_have_fun@reddit
100% this.
And OP, you can get a freezer with its own built-in battery backup to help take the load off the main battery. If I were you, depending on your setup, I would plug the freezer directly into the solar array (or buy a dedicated panel or two strictly for the freezer) and let the array charge the freezer battery without ever using the main battery.
Megan_Jay00@reddit
I would love to and was looking to get a free one of these off Facebook marketplace. With things going out of stock, I was hoping to make ahead meals and have them stored away and add meat, frozen fruit and veggies, etc. I have a 2YO son and I’m constantly in fear that we’ll run out. My husband isn’t taking note of what’s happening so he isn’t contributing extra :/
AlphaDisconnect@reddit
Keep it running. Fill it with gallon water bottles. Now if it is dark for a day, it will still be cold. Slightly less stress on the compressor.
Traditional_Neat_387@reddit
Op have you possibly considered a ice house or a root cellar?
Hot_Annual6360@reddit
Freezer without a doubt, vertical and with drawers, the horizontal or chest type are larger, but in the end everything falls down and you burn from the cold.
Nerdy_CatBirdy@reddit
Not entirely related, but if you want to have some off-grid freezers, I would recommend having a spare starter relay as well. Often when they die, that is the first suspect component. Cheap and easy to replace but a pain in the butt when you can’t find one quickly.
imdjay@reddit
Maybe just leave it on the lowest power setting? Get a smart timer and have it stay off for the nights and winter months?
SeaWitchK@reddit
How often can you check on it and make sure it's still in good condition?
HajjiBalls@reddit (OP)
I am at the cabin at least 100 days a year.
DocRichDaElder@reddit
Sounds like a great place to keep running. No? You're there a lot.
Mongrel_Shark@reddit
Fridge compressors only run for 10 years. Then they are dead. Any solution with a compressor fridge will not meet ops needs.
Longjumping-Army-172@reddit
If you're there almost a third of the year, use it while you're there. Otherwise, fill it full of water jugs/ice blocks/bags of cubes and keep it running. Make it do triple duty (ready ice, food, water storage).
If you do stock it with food, make sure to keep a digital thermometer that shows a high-low-current temp. They make them that has a probe, thus doesn't require you to open the door.
Mongrel_Shark@reddit
This is a great question. As others are pointing out. Storing a fridge with refrigerant in it isn't going to to achieve your goal.
You need an unassembled freezer & the ability to put tge gas & oil in yourself.
I've been considering a similar problem for years. How to have a fridge/freezer for many generations after civilisation collapse.
The answer is to not have any moving parts. There are cooling systems that neet tjis requirement. Absorption fridges. Bonus is they can run on gas or wood or concentrated sunlight. Aly heat source that can boil water. Down side is running them on electricity is not efficient.
You'll still want to know how to make ammonia gas & to bend solder the copper cooling unit. Or chose a dry absorption media.
There used to be a diy freezer running dry media with instructions online. Sadly I can't find it now. It was freezing a chest freezer full of water each night. It doesn't cool during the day. It worked a lot like the old icy ball.
OneleggedPeter@reddit
If it's going to be ran strictly from solar, what's the downside of keeping it full and running at the cabin?
HajjiBalls@reddit (OP)
From experience appliances tend to last about 10 years.....I would like to get 10 years of use after I really need it.
ConflagWex@reddit
Keeping it in the box might slow the clock a little but it's not going to pause it completely. Plastic still breaks down and metal still rusts even if the machine isn't running.
It might be better to separate the freezer from the box. Yeti coolers can keep stuff frozen for days and are made to last since they are simple. You could combine that with a small ice maker that you can use every once in a while and replace if it breaks down. Wouldn't be quite as convenient but would be more reliable.
HajjiBalls@reddit (OP)
Also, any appliance that needs to stay on is a constant drain on the battery bank Better to leave it off until I really need it.
huscarlaxe@reddit
there are a lot of expensive, complicated tech involved in the freezer plan. Have you looked into pressure canning meat.
HajjiBalls@reddit (OP)
Now there is an 💡 idea.... thanks
Speck72@reddit
Very interesting prepper question, I also see elsewhere you have the most important prep covered - the ice cream in the house freezer!
I would think if you don't find an answer here you could either call appliance shops and ask their opinion or even email the customer service desks of a few big companies. I did a quick cursory check online and the issue seems to stem from the compressor sitting unused for so long.
I spent a week at an off grid / microgrid community 100 miles off the road system in Alaska and the few folks living out there had chest freezers all in one group hut (one of the only buildings with electricity) they had 4-6 inches of styrofoam on top of each one to keep the cold in but left plenty of air gap on the sides. The freezers were powered year round but only kicked on sporadically in the cold months. Some of them were ancient models that had been out there for 20+ years, some were newer.
As someone who has a few chest freezers I would think the way to go for long term longevity would be to fire it up every few months just to keep all the internals good to go, even if empty. Maybe put it on your quarterly list of things to do at the cabin - Perhaps pre-freeze a big gallon jug or two and put that in the prepper freezer and then flip it on for 24 hours or so to function check?