Old Freezer - how to store it?

wazza

Last week my fridge/freezer died. Bought a second hand freezer as a stop gap till the new one is delivered. Now the new one has been delivered and is running i was wondering what to do with the old freezer.

Do not want to get rid of it because it may come in handy. Have a basement/cellar which is dry and only has a few airbricks. I leave the door to cellar open to allow as much air in etc etc. Any metal and wood items stored there are okay. If i store a cardboard box it 'goes off' after few months.

I plan to put the freezer in the cellar. Have a couple of questions..

1. I can still use it to store extra food. Being a sealed unit the food will not be affected by being in the cellar. Am i correct?

2. If i decide not to use it and just leave it unplugged what do i do? Do i defrost it and then dry it out first? Then once dry leave the door closed and leave it as it is? Doing this will there be any mould growing afterwards? Don't fancy leaving the door open in case i may have some squatters (creepy crawly type).

themull1

what sort of food do you plan to keep in it?

wazza

Plan to keep food in sealed bags, items which has not been opened yet. May also store meat wrapped in several bags.

Mr_Mike

Don't worry too much about it either way.

If you want to use it, just plug it in and get on with it.

If you don't use it, you do need to wedge the door open half an inch to let a bit of air in it. It will really, really stink after a few weeks if you don't do this. Give it a good defrost and clean first, too.

Any creepy crawlies can be dealt with by vacuum cleaner if it comes to it, but it's unlikely since there is nothing in there to interest them anyway!

ormus

if you wanted to use it as some sort of pantry, you need to cut a hole in it. then fix a fine mesh metal screen to the hole to stop the creepies and the mice etc...
ps
hole = approx air brick size.