Chest Freezers vs. Upright Freezers: Which One is Best for Storing Your Beef?
After four years in the beef business, I’ve developed some strong opinions on freezers! When we first started Silo Springs Ranch, we thought upright freezers would be the best choice for organization and maximizing space. But after working with them for a while, we quickly realized that chest freezers were the better option for our needs. Here’s what we’ve learned along the way.
The Pros and Cons of Upright Freezers
Pros:
Easier to see and access items – Everything is right there on the shelves, so you don’t have to dig around to find what you need.
Takes up less floor space – A great option if you’re tight on space.
More convenient for daily use – If you’re frequently getting in and out of the freezer, uprights can be more user-friendly.
Cons:
Cold air spills out when you open the door – Unlike chest freezers, which keep cold air contained, upright freezers lose a lot of cold air every time the door opens.
Critical door seal – If the seal isn’t perfect, or if something prevents the door from closing all the way (which can happen if someone likes to use the top of the freezer for storage), you risk losing your frozen food.
Items can fall – If you’re not careful, opening the door too quickly can send frozen items tumbling out.
Defrosting cycles – Most upright freezers have automatic defrost settings, which can cause vacuum-sealed items to lose their seal over time.
Why We Prefer Chest Freezers
Pros:
Better for long-term storage – Cold air stays put when you open the lid, helping maintain a consistent temperature.
Superior performance in power outages – Since cold air sinks and doesn’t escape as easily, a chest freezer will stay cold much longer without power. A full chest freezer can last a couple to several days without power if unopened.
More storage capacity – You can pack a chest freezer completely full, as there’s no need to leave space for air circulation.
No defrost cycles – If you get a manual defrost chest freezer, there are no automatic temperature fluctuations that can affect food quality.
Fewer moving parts – No fans mean fewer parts that can break down over time.
Cons:
Takes up more floor space – Chest freezers have a larger footprint, which may be an issue in smaller spaces.
Lids can wear out – Over time, the springs that hold the lid up can weaken, requiring a workaround like bungee cords.
More difficult to organize – Digging to the bottom for a specific cut of beef can be frustrating without a good system.
How We Organize Our Chest Freezers
One of the biggest challenges with chest freezers is keeping them organized. We use a silo system to solve this issue. By placing tall, narrow boxes inside the freezer, we create sections (or silos) for different cuts of beef. This allows us to store up to 20 different types of beef in an easy-to-access way. We use this system in our freezer trailer for farmers' markets, as well as in our general store’s ‘staples’ freezer. If you stop by, we’d be happy to show you how it works!
Power Outage Considerations
If you live in an area where power outages are a concern, chest freezers are the clear winner. Even with a great seal, upright freezers aren’t fully airtight, and items stored in the door will thaw first. An upright freezer will only last several hours without power. In contrast, a full chest freezer can last days if left unopened. The fuller the freezer, the longer it will stay cold.
How Much Freezer Space Do You Need?
If you’re buying beef in bulk, it’s important to have enough freezer space. Here’s a general guide:
Quarter cow – About 5-7 cu ft
Half cow – About 11-14 cu ft
Whole cow – About 18-22 cu ft
The more space you have, the easier it is to stay organized. If you can, go a little bigger than the minimum requirement to allow for better organization and airflow.
Final Thoughts
Both upright and chest freezers have their place, but if you’re looking for the best option for long-term bulk storage, a chest freezer is hard to beat. The extra effort to organize it properly is worth it for the better efficiency, longer-lasting frozen food, and peace of mind in case of a power outage.
If you have any questions about freezer storage or want to see our chest freezer system in action, stop by Silo Springs Ranch! We’d love to chat about how to make storing bulk beef as easy as possible.