What to look for in buying a used freezer?
 

What to look for when buying a used freezer?

Do I need some kind of little gauge? What are the tips and tricks you recommend to make sure I don't get taken?

Re: What to look for in buying a used freezer?
 

You need to seriously consider a newer one (unless this is for very occasional use).

What you need to consider is total lifecycle cost: the cost of the freezer plus the cost of the electricity to use it. And there have been very substantial increases in freezer efficiency over the last several years.
http://www.green-energy-efficient-ho...-freezers.html

Re: What to look for in buying a used freezer?
 

Do not buy a used freezer over 10 years of age as, there is a good chance that the refrigerant gas will be depleted. In Australia, and possibly many countries in the world, it is illegal to have them re-gassed.

Buy a new freezer and have confidence that it will work when you need it! They are relatively cheap and a good insurance policy. The last thing that you want is spoiled food in a SHTF scenario.

Re: What to look for in buying a used freezer?
 

Gasket Gasket Gasket...
Chest freezer only. Cold sits inside with lid open.
Besides that,
Used is great. Unless you believe todays manufacturing quality is more reliable than that of say... 20 years ago. (that's how old mine is)
I bought mine 10 years ago used for $25.
Buy a second $25. freezer to be a backup if this one dies.
It can serve as a great rodent proof storage bin for other dry preps (pasta beans grains & other easy to chew into stuff).
If you are lucky enough to have a garage attached to your house with a cement floor, consider putting a 3/4" plywood heavy duty caster plate underneath.
You can roll them around as a workbench for projects.
And in the summer the freezer won't be heating your house. In the winter, your freezer won't run very much since it's chilly out there already.

Re: What to look for in buying a used freezer?
 

all the more reason to re-gas one:emotions16:



I would suggest buying 2 small 1/2 size freezers over one big one
as you use your frozen food up, or
if one of them "flakes out" you can re-group your food into the other:beer:
also agree that buying used is A-ok,
both of our freezers are from estate sales,
running several years now with no problems:ok:

Re: What to look for in buying a used freezer?
 

15 year old freezer died 5 years ago. Got lucky on Craigs list. Commercial 21 cu ft Whirlpool. 2 years old $250. Has a "quick freeze" switch. Guy switched and bought a small chest because he didn't keep the big one full.

Re: What to look for in buying a used freezer?
 

"Fridges and freezers made before 1993 are inefficient. A pre-1993 unit costs $100 per year in electricity—twice as much as a new ENERGY STAR qualified model. And fridges and freezers from the 1970s cost four times more to operate. Is there an old model draining the budget in your house?"
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?..._refrigerators

So do some math. Or are you getting your electricity for free?

Re: What to look for in buying a used freezer?
 

Ok, but do all the math. This isn't really a slam dunk for "new is best".

$300. new vs $25. used initial outlay.
Using your figures for energy cost, If I buy new, I'll save $50. per year.
Just like a leaky faucet, it affects the big picture, but $4. per month difference won't send me rushing to the appliance store.

How long will the new product last? Of course it remains to be seen.
But in my house:
I have an energystar $900. dishwasher 3 years old. I've had to fix it twice. The parts & time weren't free.
My sister had a dishwasher that lasted for 15 years. (bet her new one won't last that long).
The energystar Neptune line of wash machines were such a good product... that now Maytag is Whirlpool.

Re: What to look for in buying a used freezer?
 

Re: What to look for in buying a used freezer?
 

...gold eagles and krugs stashed in a hidden compartment...

:bull-smile: