Emptying the freezer

NewShadow

Logistical issue.

I've decided I want to invest in a new/energy efficient freezer.

Excellent.

Now... I don't have space for two freezers, and getting the old one out/new one in will be a bit of a challenge (tiny porch and no car).

Plus theres the issue that my current freezer is a full size, 6 foot tall 55cm beast packed full to the doors and in sore need of a defrost. And there's only me in the house/to eat the contents.

So... What I want to do is to run down my current freezer to empty, then clean and give away, then buy a new freezer.

But - I would expect the contents of the freezer to last me 6 months to a year eating 'normally'

Do I just run it down - over time increasing the % of empty space and thus decreasing the efficiency/increasing the running costs - or what?

I think the first step may be to make a list of the freezer contents...

bizzylizzy

As you make space, (by eating your way through the contents), fill the gaps with containers filled with water - freezer still runs efficiently until it's emptied, and then you can stay true to old style ways by defrosting all the resulting blocks of ice in a bucket or two and use it for watering the garden, or flushing the loo! Win, win all round ��

nuatha

First consideration, how much would the running costs of a new super efficient freezer save you over the existing one's running costs - what would be the break even point where the saving in running costs pays for the new freezer?
Why is it icing up - I've replaced seals on freezers fairly cheaply before which has cured a couple of freezers that regularly iced up.

Assuming it is worth replacing, given the above, then I'd list the contents and try to meal plan using as much frozen as possible to maximise the consumption of freezer items. As space appears, I'd fill with containers filled with water as Bizzylizzy suggests.

I'd arrange for the empty freezer to be collected in the week prior to delivery of the new freezer. However you are passing the old freezer on, I'd stress that it must be collected by x, and that it will take two people and a van or large estate car to move.

I'd buy from somewhere that will deliver into the room that the freezer will live in.
HTH

NewShadow

nuatha wrote: »

First consideration, how much would the running costs of a new super efficient freezer save you over the existing one's running costs - what would be the break even point where the saving in running costs pays for the new freezer?

I think it's more a case that i'd expect the current one to die in the next two years. It was second hand when I got it 5ish years ago, so it's coming up on 10 years old. I'd rather get a replacement now (new ideally as I'm a bit better off money wise) than be stuck with a rapidly defrosting freezer with no notice.

Why is it icing up - I've replaced seals on freezers fairly cheaply before which has cured a couple of freezers that regularly iced up.

Because I haven't defrosted it in 4 years and have an awful habit of staring into it for long periods while thinking about meal plans? :cool:

Bags of water are probably better than boxes - lots of irregular items in the freezer.

I'll definitely be working on a freezer list at some point this week, then we can see how long I'll have to save up.

I think the beko I'm looking at (TFF546APS) is around £300...

ETA - Irritated that the one I want (the taller version - TFF673APS) is discontinued...

NewShadow

Okay, tomorrow I'm cooking a cooked breakfast and bolognese pasta.

Items from the freezer in bold:

bacon
egg
chicken sausage
baby tomatoes
mushrooms

mince (4%)
sw meatballs
garlic
tinned tomatoes
grated carrot
onion
sweetcorn
diced peppers
diced aubergine
mushroom
Pasta
cottage cheese
mozzarella
egg

Maybe 1/8th of a draw...

LameWolf

NewShadow wrote: »

have an awful habit of staring into it for long periods while thinking about meal plans? :cool:

I keep a detailed inventory of everything in the freezer, on a spreadsheet.
It is listed by drawer (there are four) and includes the amount of everything; eg

• Sliced loaf: approx 3/4
• Veggie sausages: 48
• Qu0rn fillets: 12
• Peas: 1 bag + open bag
• Nut loaf: 6 slices

And so on . (Re the nut loaf - I make it myself, slice before freezing, and separate the slices with a little greaseproof paper)

I tend to have a loaf (or part thereof) for emergencies, and oddments that won't go anywhere else in the top, meat substitutes in the 2nd, vegetables in the 3rd, and fruit (including sliced lemons for my cuppa tea ) in the 4th as a very general guideline.

When I shop for the freezer, I add what I've bought, and when I use something I deduct it. Done straight away, it stays accurate, and I can stare at the spreadsheet, not the open freezer, for inspiration.

Pollycat

LameWolf wrote: »

I keep a detailed inventory of everything in the freezer, on a spreadsheet.
It is listed by drawer (there are four) and includes the amount of everything; eg

• Sliced loaf: approx 3/4
• Veggie sausages: 48
• Qu0rn fillets: 12
• Peas: 1 bag + open bag
• Nut loaf: 6 slices

And so on . (Re the nut loaf - I make it myself, slice before freezing, and separate the slices with a little greaseproof paper)

I tend to have a loaf (or part thereof) for emergencies, and oddments that won't go anywhere else in the top, meat substitutes in the 2nd, vegetables in the 3rd, and fruit (including sliced lemons for my cuppa tea ) in the 4th as a very general guideline.

When I shop for the freezer, I add what I've bought, and when I use something I deduct it. Done straight away, it stays accurate, and I can stare at the spreadsheet, not the open freezer, for inspiration.

OMG! Are you my twin?

I put date items went in and if it's a home-made bulk cook, I put what ingredients went in e.g. how many tins of tomatoes.

My old boss used to say I was anal.

NewShadow

LameWolf wrote:

When I shop for the freezer, I add what I've bought, and when I use something I deduct it. Done straight away, it stays accurate, and I can stare at the spreadsheet, not the open freezer, for inspiration.

I really should - just doesn't happen.

Plus, I like the staring into the freezer. It's my meditation time

milasavesmoney

NewShadow wrote: »

I really should - just doesn't happen.

Plus, I like the staring into the freezer. It's my meditation time

And you thought new seals would keep it from icing up, when all along you're the culprit. :rotfl:

Slinky

It doesn't necessarily have to be frozen stuff you need to take up air space to keep your freezer cold, a stack of old newspapers will do the job. They will get good and cold and stay that way whilst the freezer is open.

jk0

NewShadow wrote: »

I think it's more a case that i'd expect the current one to die in the next two years. It was second hand when I got it 5ish years ago, so it's coming up on 10 years old. I'd rather get a replacement now (new ideally as I'm a bit better off money wise) than be stuck with a rapidly defrosting freezer with no notice.

Ten years? I'd expect a freezer to last at least 30 years.

(My mother has a fridge freezer she bought in 1980.)