Hamilton Seaside Upright Freezer Overview: The Greatest Choice for Garages

There’s nothing unsuitable with storing soup containers and make-ahead dinners within the freezer. In actual fact, meal prepping is our favourite life hack that cuts down on the dinnertime rush. Nonetheless, overstuffing the freezer is a surefire approach to give your self a headache. Not solely does it usher in additional freezer burn and result in poor temperature consistency, however it may possibly additionally forestall the freezer door from absolutely sealing. This makes use of up extra power in the long term (and may result in spoilage and melted ice cubes—ick!). That’s why stand-alone freezers—just like the Hamilton Seaside upright freezer—are a lifesaver for extra storage.

“In accordance with the Division of Vitality, 34% of American households have a second fridge or freezer. Auxiliary meals space for storing has at all times been wanted for giant households and houses that wish to entertain—but the pandemic popularized this development and made it mainstream,” says Jessica Petrino, educator and equipment skilled at AJ Madison. “An upright freezer is a good space-saving approach to retailer extra meals. They’re excellent for small storage areas resembling a pantry, storage or basement. Replenish on meals on the retailer, purchase protein in bulk, stash milk for a child or flash freeze your favourite dinners, soup or sauces for later.”

Government Culinary Director Sarah Farmer, who examined six upright freezers to seek out the perfect, agrees. “Vertical freezers provide a extra compact design whereas offering the identical storage capability as chest freezers,” she explains. Right here’s why our Take a look at Kitchen recommends the Hamilton Seaside freezer for garages, basements and different locations with common temperature fluctuations.

What’s the Hamilton Seaside upright freezer?

When you’re uncertain whether or not you need a chest or upright freezer, the bells and whistles on the Hamilton Seaside freezer will virtually definitely sway your opinion. A whopping 14 cubic ft of house is loads of room for storing cookies, freezer group merchandise and frozen pizzas. This comes within the type of 4 detachable tempered glass cabinets, 4 shallow in-door cabinets and a backside slide-out bin. Do you want extra fridge house? No worries—this two-in-one choice can convert to a fridge, too. Moreover, the Hamilton Seaside upright freezer is garage-ready, which means that it’s rated for fluctuations in temperatures between 0ºF and 110ºF.

It’s additionally self-defrosting, so that you received’t have to fret about frost coating your cabinets or freezer containers. This additionally makes it straightforward to wash your freezer. A helpful temperature management panel sits on the door, so you’ll be able to simply see how cool it’s at a look. This characteristic additionally eliminates the necessity to open the door to make changes—bonus! Two adjustable legs enable for the freezer to sit down stage, and inside LED lights simplify making picks in low-light situations.

How We Examined the Hamilton Seaside Upright Freezer

To seek out the most effective upright freezers for garages, basements and rec rooms, we recognized top-selling fashions from the preferred manufacturers, together with Whirlpool, GE, Hotpoint, Hamilton Seaside, Maytag and Gladiator. Our tester is Government Culinary Director Sarah Farmer, an equipment and kitchen skilled. Sarah gathered six fashions to check, specializing in the best-reviewed picks.

Throughout our analysis, she checked out temperature settings, capability and storage, noise stage, sturdiness, construct high quality and design. We additionally famous whether or not every choose is garage-ready and if there are any extra options, like self-defrost, reversible doorways, alarms, inside lighting and adjustable leveling legs.

After totally testing every potential inclusion and noting over 65 knowledge factors throughout all six freezers, our Take a look at Kitchen pinpointed three prime performers and two different stable choices price contemplating.

Take a look at Kitchen Outcomes

TASTE OF HOME

The Hamilton Seaside upright freezer boasts a easy, good-looking look. With a traditional white end and a single management panel within the middle, it feels each trendy and primary sufficient for many decor kinds. The deal with is recessed (making the door non-reversible), which additionally provides it a cleaner look.

The seal may be very efficient—virtually to the purpose the place it’s essential give the freezer a very good tug for it to open. Testers needed to exert strain, and it took about two tugs to open the door. Within the occasion that it doesn’t seal closed, a three-minute alarm alerts you when the door stays open. The freezer options 4 preset temperature modes: Fridge, Subzero, Freeze and FastFreeze.

Each the cabinets and decrease freezer bin are stable and durable. Nonetheless, the freezer door bins are considerably light-weight (although not flimsy). General, Sarah feels that this can be a excellent choose for households who need slightly further storage room for ice pops, frozen meals and bulk meats.

Why must you get a frost-free freezer?

In accordance with Jessica, one fashionable trait in upright freezers is an computerized defrost. “For low upkeep, higher effectivity and efficiency, search for a freezer that can defrost routinely,” she says. “In any other case, it’s essential to take away all of the meals from the freezer just a few instances yearly, unplug the freezer, and let ice accumulation soften. Defrosting a freezer is usually a messy and labor-intensive course of. Skip the additional work and get one that can defrost routinely.”

What makes a freezer “garage-friendly”?

Jessica notes that for those who plan to position your freezer in an space of the house that experiences seasonal adjustments, it’s vital to spring for a garage-ready fridge or freezer. Typically, the garage-ready accent is part offered individually on choose fashions, however freezers typically provide this as a built-in characteristic.

“How are you aware for those who want it? To place it merely, for those who place a fridge or freezer in an space the place the temperature dips colder than the temperature setting contained in the fridge, it is going to cease ‘refrigerating,’” she says. “Due to this fact, out of doors fridges, or ‘garage-ready’ models, have a particular characteristic that tips the equipment into considering the surface air temperature is at all times hotter than the temp setting of the equipment. Briefly, for those who dwell in a chilly climate local weather and plan to position a freezer in your storage, porch or shed, it’s beneficial to hunt a garage-friendly unit.”

Why You Ought to Belief Us

Sarah Farmer is the center of the Style of Dwelling Take a look at Kitchen. On prime of main the culinary staff, she develops, assessments and kinds recipes, balances budgets, connects with distributors and oversees the product testing course of for pantry meals and cooking gear. You may spot her in our movies on social media and TV, gushing in regards to the newest meals traits or must-have kitchen devices. 

Sarah joined Style of Dwelling in 2004 as a meals stylist. She’s nonetheless head over heels for her job, and loves spending day-after-day surrounded by individuals who share her enthusiasm for meals, cooking and the Style of Dwelling neighborhood. 

For this piece, we additionally spoke to Jessica Petrino, educator and equipment skilled at AJ Madison.