Just bought a Chest Deep Freezer!!!

**momof3inwv** · 09-15-2010, 12:15 PM

We were looking for a deep freezer so we could order a half a cow and then we'll also have a bunch of deer meat this winter. Hubby and I looked thrrough our local bulletin board and found a 23 cubic foot one for 250. It's frost free. I talked the woman down to 200 bucks and we'll be picking it up from her house Friday or Sat. Hubby and I looked online and found one almost identical to it. They wanted 850.00 as Sears for it! I got such a good deal!! I'm so excited and can't wait to get it. I'll be able to save so much money when going to the grocery store now. The meat will taste better too since it won't have all the dyes and chemicals that they inject into em since this one will come straight from the farm!

Anyway just thought that I'd share about the great deal that I got!

**frugalwarrior2** · 09-15-2010, 12:19 PM

Congratulations. I have 1 too and value it. One suggestion. Keep a notecard on the outside of whats in it. It is so easy to forget especially whats on the bottom.

**Darlene** · 09-15-2010, 12:44 PM

Congrats! I echo frugalwarrior2's thoughts on a list & being vigilant about updating it.
I use my small freezer in my refrigerator for ice, leftovers (easier to find and use up) and my large one for everything else. I use plastic bins to help seprerate different kinds of meat too.
Enjoy taking advantage of sales on frozen goods!

**Saydee** · 09-15-2010, 01:02 PM

Congrats! We have a large chest freezer and a smaller one and they are both full.

**piney** · 09-15-2010, 01:44 PM

I have a small chest freezer and can never find what i want in it.What kind plastic bins do you use in you'r? But i have saved on grocery by having a freezer.

**Darlene** · 09-15-2010, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by piney

I have a small chest freezer and can never find what i want in it.What kind plastic bins do you use in you'r? But i have saved on grocery by having a freezer.

I got mine from the $ store about 8 years ago. I'm sure they still have all kinds to choose from. They are just rectanguar plastic bins, nothing fancy.

**momof3inwv** · 09-15-2010, 03:21 PM

Thanks frugalwarrior and Darlene. I never thought of a list or the bins, but I hink I'm going to try those. I'm so forgetful at times of what I have on hand and I like the idea of being able to sor the different foods with the bins.

**frugalfranny** · 09-16-2010, 01:57 AM

You will love your freezer.

Watch at the thrift shops for the bins that actually go in the freezer. I see them at mine sometimes. I got three with the freezer and my dad gave me more. I use them a lot for sorting. They sit on the upper ledge of the freezer, and will slide or lift out.

You can really take advantage of sales with a freezer.

Takes awhile to get the 'knack' of sorting - staying organized- but it will come.

**nuisance26** · 09-17-2010, 11:45 AM

~Awesome! I love my freezer. They are great investments.

~

**happymomof4** · 09-17-2010, 01:39 PM

Congrats.

I love my freezers. We have 1 chest and 1 upright. We get a 1/2 of steer every year and that is kept in my chest freezer. I keep all my frozen veggies, frechfries(fastfood) in my upright.

Like other have said keep a list of what is it. I mark my list as I take stuff out. So every few months I rewrite it. Makes it look nicer. I use my list to make up my menu's and grocery list.

**krbshappy71** · 09-17-2010, 05:07 PM

Congrats! I've had mine for years, its a real work horse! Lately its not that full but I plan to fix that eventually and it was a huge life saver when finances got low to be able to just open that sucker up and get some food out of it, such a sense of security when you can stock up for those times.

**lparker** · 09-17-2010, 05:13 PM

You might want to try using a Kill-a-watt meter to see the difference between using the frost-free feature and not using it. As long as it has a good gasket, you shouldn't have to waste the electricity to keep it frost free.

**momof3inwv** · 09-22-2010, 11:03 PM

I really appreciate all of the great ideas from everyone. My DH has already arranged with a guy he works with to get the steer off of him. In return my hubby is going to change all the fluids in 2 of the gentlemans cars and put in a new door for the gentlemans house. In return he's knocking 200 bucks off of the price!!

In the meantime, I've been baking more and have put 10 zucchini breads, 2 deer lasagnas (to finish off the deer from the past winter) and 2 loaves of banana bread in the sucker! Can't wait though for that beef to find it's nice chilly home in there!