Is it worth having a second freezer

heavenleigh

Hi there, i think it depends on the size of the freezers you have already and the efficiency of them, if they are small older ones it may be more economical to buy a new larger one, the older they get the less economical they become to run!
Saying that i have a large american style fridge freezer that is only a year old and i still could use more space, i cant afford to buy brand new so am contemplating buying an old second hand chest freezer.
Knowing me i could have a freezer in every room and still need more space lol.

gazza975526570

Well i have two.

1 large one on the kitchen and another fairly large one in the garage. It does us for a family of four though we do struggle a bit this time of year. Witht he running costs i wouldnt consider a third. As mentioned if the second isnt that big and isnt new (and isnt efficient) may be worthwile buying a new second freezer.

Penelope_Penguin

Mrs_Optimist wrote: »

I am interested in how many freezers you have in your home ? I have 2, considering buying a third, but is that a little excessive ? My plan is to bulk buy milk to freeze and also make use of my breadmaker to batch cook bread and leave in the third freezer (no room in the other 2 !!) I am pretty good at buying frugally most of the time but I often find that having to shop once a week for bread and milk often means I buy other things that I don't really need, which do get used, but we could do without IYSWIM. My thinking is that if I can get better prepared I can shop only twice a month instead of every week.

I am interested in what other OS do.

Seems pointless to me If you have too much freezer space, the tendency is to fill it with "bargains" and never eat what you have. I'd advise doing a full inventory of what you have, then meal planning around that. I'm sure with a little planning and organising, you will find that the 2 freezers you have is more than enough

Additionally, keeping lots of food frozen is a cost to your pocket and the environment. Much better to buy what you need, then eat it.

Penny. x

Penelope_Penguin

gazza975526570 wrote: »

As mentioned if the second isnt that big and isnt new (and isnt efficient) may be worthwile buying a new second freezer.

That's only worth doing if you dispose of the inefficient freezer Energy usage is rising because people replace old, inefficient appliances, but then keep the old one thereby increasing energy usage, rather than reducing it :rolleyes:

Penny. x

gazza975526570

Hope the smiley wasnt coming my way......
....
That is what i meant by the way - ie getting rid of the inefficient one.

heavenleigh

Also on the subject of milk, i was always against getting it delivered to the door until i realised it may cost me £1 a week more than the supermarkets but as well as helping out a local business it also stops me needing to venture into tesco's (just for milk) and spending £20/£30 on 2bargains2 i dont need whilst in there! It may well be worth you looking into getting bread and milk delivered xx

heavenleigh

Penelope_Penguin wrote: »

That's only worth doing if you dispose of the inefficient freezer Energy usage is rising because people replace old, inefficient appliances, but then keep the old one thereby increasing energy usage, rather than reducing it :rolleyes:

Penny. x

Thats what i meant too...mental note to self....explain more in posts

Penelope_Penguin

Mrs_Optimist wrote: »

My plan is to bulk buy milk to freeze and also make use of my breadmaker to batch cook bread and leave in the third freezer

I can see the point of using the oven to batch cook bread (you use the same amount of fuel for 6 loaves as for one) but why use the BM to batch cook and then freeze Doesn't it make more sense to use the BM as you need bread

Penny. x

Kadeeae

We have 3 - a small 3 drawer one inside, out in the workshop we have a 3 drawer one and a large 7 drawer/shelf upright. The one indoors I have for any frozen weekly veg, chips, ice cubes, ice cream etc.... that we are using throughout the week, and things that we like to have handy for teas or side dishes.

The small one in the workshop is for fruit/veg and overflow of HM sauces. The large upright is for meats, sauces, portioned HM "ready meals", frozen pulses, ice cream, margarine, butter and ground coffee.

I tend to really stock up when something we use often is at a good price, for instance butter, a while ago the Kerrygold was 30p a block cheaper than the value brand so I bought 30 250g blocks in a few trips. There are many times when I don't need anything from the shops except milk or an occasional special ingredient for a recipe because I have my own 'shop' in the cupboards and freezer.

It makes sense for us to have the three, but I do know of people who do the 'stock-up' and then keep buying from the shops - in the end throwing away items from their freezer to make room for new purchases. Senseless!!

Mrs_Optimist

Thanks for your replies. I have a freestanding under counter freezer and a fridge/freezer which stock the usual items - but not a lot of processed (bar pizzas) but lots of meat and veg, ice cream, butter and leftovers which I portion up as ready meals etc. I think I will try the inventory idea which seems sensible. I think I need to do one big shop per month and just top up with bread/milk/fruit as and when. I have used the bread maker but dd and ds only like white bread, dh likes wholemeal and the loaves from our breadmaker never seem to last beyond a day, once toast for breakfast and packed lunches for everyone are prepared hence the idea of batch cooking and then freezing so there is always bread in the freezer.

We did have milk delivered but it was ridiculously expensive so we knocked that idea on the head. Thanks for the advice which is much appreciated.