Comparing Chest vs Walk-In Freezers For Small Farms: Operating Costs, Storage Space, & Convenience

Which is better for small livestock farm meat storage: chest freezers or walk-in freezers? I measured actual power consumption for our chest freezers and compare it to a walk-in freezer's consumption, as well as reviewing other pros & cons: space efficiency, reliability, emergency power considerations, ease of use, etc.
Note:
-We do not offer farm tours or accept visitors
-We do not sell from the farm
-We do not ship our farm's products
-We do not sell live animals
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Lansing, NY 14882
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[@russellwood8750]

Informative video. Thank you.. I asked my grandfather why he had a walk-in fridge freezer combo instead of loads of fridges and freezers showed them the video. He said energy wise. Yours is running with less power and will save you some money.. so I asked him why us his system. He told me it takes up less space in the house.. He said the walk-in system that he has is cheaper to repair and replace parts as where most freezer chests today are built to be disposable and just replaced with a whole new model. He also said the lifespan of his freezer is twice that of the freezer chest. His fridge freezer combo is a little different you walk into the refrigerated area and then there’s another door which will take you into the freezer section the cold air that’s been extracted and blowing out from the freezer is exhausted into the refrigerator so the same energy that would normally Used to power a freezer is doing both. Making it more cost-efficient. I asked him because the freezer was modular about losing air like you said in the video but he used caulking on all of the joints. You can either use a silicone or butyl sealant, to make it more airtight. He also tiled the inside of both units, floor ceiling and walls.This way he can pressure wash it and clean it with a drain with a stopper that goes in so air does not escape when it’s not being used think of it like a bathtub.. the floor tiles are nonslip and the tiles really conduct and reflect the cold into the unit. Most of the freezer is used really well for all the different types of meats, fruits, and vegetables that get stored in there. The freezer section however is used a little for some produce milk, cheese, butter, and some fresh vegetables to free up space in the upstairs fridge. The fridge section has an awful lot of drinks stored in there Water sodapop beers wines. Put the majority of the fridge unit is used for processing the meat when we process we also hang the meat to in the fridge we would hide two or three cows in there wait for them to age and then process them. When that’s done five or six lambs processed them, and then five or six pigs, and then process them. We put everything into vacuum seal bags in the refrigerator and put the labels on it. Then we a little cart outside the few chambered vacuum sealer and seal it all up. We went back in and stored it in the freezer.. my grand will go down to the freezer to three times and month fill up a little basket of stuff bring it upstairs and put it in the fridge freezer up there for the week. She calls it her residential Costco you just walk around inside it like you’re at the store. It’s kind of true you go down to that part of the basement and you have to walk in fridge freezer. You also have a very large pantry that has freeze dried foods and canned foods. My grandfather also has two root sellers, dark cool, dry root cellar, and a dark, damp, wet root cellar.. the dark, damp, wet root cellar has a water feature in it to keep the moisture in the air, which is good for some of the foods we store. so in a way it’s like the store almost everything you could want is down there.. I asked my grandfather what it cost to run it so he calculated it out. It comes to current market prices around $320 to $350 depending on the time of the year. So I asked my grandfather, which one he thought was a better system, and he said to me whatever you’re happiest with. It’s like I told you before Russell the best camera in the world is the one you have with you. Love my grandfather, but he never gives you really a straight answer. He always talks to you like he’s Yoda. You have to think about everything he says.

[@1truthseeking8]

What can you tell me about the R-value and other layers of insulation and structure?

[@lynnleavitt478]

Also, chest freezers have less moving parts= less to go wrong. Walk-ins constantly require maintenance. Used to do commercial refrigeration. You made many good, valuable points.

[@big.g.fromohio3546]

They cost a small fortune for parts if needed.

[@T_Humphries]

Very good point that I was hoping Pete would cover and plus the wait time to get a commercial technician out to his rural area could possibly result in him loosing the contents. A chest type is pretty much disposable now days so you only have to worry about finding a new one

[@dalekronk496]

Agree with you Lynn

[@opendstudio7141]

And you don't transfer any pathogens from animal poop on or dirt your boots as you can with a walk-in freezer.

[@karenw9996]

@@T_Humphries But rather than dispose you can bury them, leaving insulated access to the lid, and use them as a rodent-proof "root cellar".

[@pfd37]

We've looked at going to a walk-in as we run 7 freezers for our farm store. My biggest concern is having all my eggs in one basket, secondary to power use. At least with chest freezers if you loose one you're not out everything.

[@vinylrevolutions9718]

Another efficiency advantage of chest freezers is that when you open one, you are only breaking the seal on one. You have to open the walk in every time you want something.

[@Chinshuenlightment]

Added bonus of chest freezers is you don’t walk in. You walk into a walk in freezer your body temperature heats up the freezer or you need to spend money on thermal clothes. 😊😊🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@markkaes3144]

Thanks - I learned something. Got to be honest though, each time you opened the freezer door I felt some anxiety… my Great Depression survivor grandma would have whacked us both with a spoon for cooling the whole blooming neighborhood like we were Rockefeller’s or something… lol 😂

[@eagle2019]

Pete another reason walk in Freezers use more electricity is that they are self defrosting. During timed cycles heating coils come on to melt any ice on the coils. Those heating elements use a lot of electricity, which is why the power consumption is almost double that of a chest freezer.

[@zadokmotorfreight2423]

Interesting!

[@shawnhunter8125]

Great video, I agree the risk reduction of multiple units vs loosing an entire walk in is the way to go

[@awilliams5660]

I LOVE MATH!! It never lies!

[@bigdidgerido]

I'd recommend freezer temperature alarms. Easy to tell if something is amiss right away when the alarm is beeping when making your rounds. The ones I use are around $25 and work pretty good, but you can get the ones that connect to your wireless to alert your phone.

[@MrDanisve]

25 bucks, do those alarms include an army or something? :P Thats expensive considering i just bought a 3pk of timers for 5 dollars few days ago

[@maggieahrens2817]

@@MrDanisve they can be wi-fi enabled, so (as Timothy mentioned) you'll get an alarm if the freezer fails. Anything that talks to the Internet is going to be a bit more expensive. Certainly beats a quarter sitting on top of a frozen tupperware container of water

[@MrDanisve]

@@maggieahrens2817 No he was talking about an sound alarm. That should not be 25 dollars. Not hard to make a device that makes an sound when power stops being drawn from it. He did not mention the price of the wifi ones, only that they exist. But yea, 25 dollars for a wifi one would not be that bad.. Unless my reading comprehension is way out of wack..

[@jlhaslip]

Cheap freezer alarm is a half filled jar of frozen water with a coin on top of the ice. If the coin is on the bottom, the freezer failed to work properly.

[@bigdidgerido]

Audible temperature alarm. Freezer can have the power light on and look normal, and have failed. Opening the freezer needlessly to check a frozen jar of water just introduces humidity which increases the amount of times a guy has to defrost them. But if it works for you, great. I like the $25 battery powered temp alarms as a cheap insurance policy.

[@vermontmapleman7504]

I just thought of another positive point for having the chest freezers. You mentioned all the “wasted space” above the chest freezers. Well, with a piece of plywood on top, look at all the table/workspace you just picked up! And it’s expandable (more sheets of plywood) and time flexible (1 hr, 1 day, 1 week, etc.). Can’t do that with a walk-in. 👍

[@25Soupy]

Excellent video Pete, thanks so much!

[@LongboatAline]

Another consideration - given enough insulation, the holding time of a closed chest-freezer (time until a unit cut off from power will rise in temperature enough to be of concern) is long enough to last through an entire day (more, actually). That makes them ideal candidates for circadian power schemes, such as solar energy. All it needs is some electronics to make sure they are powered at intervals during the day to match the power generated (and to avoid the whole lot stampeding on at the same time when power returns), ideally based on temperature. Perfect usage for solar power and less of those expensive battery packs since part of the energy gets used right away when it is available.

[@SuperMrgentleman]

I sort of wish someone made one to be smarter, so it'd cool down to maximum right as sunset arrives and it could comfortably coast to morning when it powers on. Typical outlet timer can't do that.

[@tobylavigne]

Wow! Man that was so helpful...God bless folks like you that break things like this down and make research so much easier for the rest of us...Thank you Pete!

[@rawa5457]

This video was very helpful. Logic and math will always tell you the truth. I like this.👍

[@jewelcitizen2567]

I was just pondering this very subject the other day, so great video!

[@servihomestead4324]

I like your practical explanations and the way you don't mind contradicting trends and fads. Thank you for all of your videos. They are great!

[@kimlaboyne2474]

I noticed that awesome bicycle in the background!! Appreciate all you do Pete and fam!!

[@nathandrumm9189]

Totally geeked out on this episode, thank you Pete.

[@unclesquirrel6951]

I just love this channel

[@robertblackman3451]

Very well explained, there is no doubt that you put a lot of thought in to what you do.

[@tinybubbles3724]

That was a great video. Full of answers to questions I had on this topic and questions I didn't have yet.

[@allanhaggett]

Great exposition Pete. Ty.

[@cyrilmths]

Thank you for your reseach! Now, I go for a cheat freezer!

[@dwightlarson6449]

Thanks Pete. Awesome content. Keep em coming please

[@JAdams-jx5ek]

Clear logical thinking. Excellent.

[@funkypaul2822]

This was a very enjoyable " educational video"! And again common sense and basic logic thinking prove that “Big” isn’t always “better”! Nice!

[@ritabrunetti381]

Hello Peter. Your videos are always useful. Teaching us about a world that we are not living. Very much appreciated. Be well.

[@kirkwilson10]

Crystal clear, Pete! We. Got. It. A little trip to the fridge to see how cold air moves when you open the door sealed the deal. Thanks so much, Mr. Practical!

[@Dan-qy1rg]

Great information here Pete, thanks for sharing! Have a nice week!

[@donerickson1954]

Wow, I first was introducted to your channel by the algorithm 2 weeks ago. In that 2 weeks I subbed and so did 2000 other folks. Good wholesome channel is the reason.

[@petermaguire6280]

Another mater of fact down to earth and well thought out video. Thanks mate

[@jonathanrich4213]

I asked this question 2 weeks ago! Thank you for the video.

[@jamesspry3294]

Thanks Pete! Have been looking at whether it is better for us to go walk-in or keep our chest freezers. Now you've saved me a lot of hassle! I don't have to worry until we get to 20 chest freezers. Which is a while away, so I've got time to plan it and save up for it. 😁

[@kellyjoyce2399]

I like the way you explain your data and research. Great job

[@AJ_nee-san]

This topic is the one I've been wishing for

[@christopherboody5915]

Thanks, as always- a deep dive in thought

[@mattclark5480]

Thanks for the video Pete 👍

[@annlachance1517]

I just love love your videos. I enjoy your stories interesting live you have!!!! Thank you for sharing. You are a smart person and please keep this going.

[@kingofwake]

That’s great insight! Thanks for doing this video!

[@mrcutestuff]

The best or one of the best farmers on KZbin! Loving your stuff since day one of subbing! Especially the "Hi I'm Pete..." Amazing stuff!!! Tell Hilary I said hiii

[@douglasfonville8238]

Awesome comparison video! Pretty much answered all of my questions.

[@jimz2901]

Excellent video and great information, thanks for putting it all together. Jim

[@adamspioneerfarmflorida8802]

Hello Pete… I was just starting to plan a processing room and worried about how to build out a walk-in cooler and the cost then seen your Freezer video and WOW… Thanks so much for your explanation and I will be doing the same as you… Due to the cost, electric and the possibility of having to go on generator power during our FL Hurricanes your way of doing things on your freezer storage makes perfect sense both on our farm and being able to transport to other sale locations. THANKS for all your time making a window into your farm life… Keep doing what you do Sir…

[@lauranicholas3914]

Excellent video. I've wanted to buy a chest freezer and now I'm sold. Thank you for your research. 👍

[@daleredmond6449]

Pete, watching your videos, I've found you to be a walking encyclopedia of knowledge on so many different items. You make us southpaws proud.

[@vermontmapleman7504]

Great info! Thanks Pete!

[@douglasbruce1713]

Thanks for sharing.

[@patrickcalhoon3512]

Awesome video Pete! I was debating this topic last week. Great info. I cant wait to see Rusty get some scratches. KCMO

[@cindyboard7816]

Great information!! In my experience walk in freezers require frequent repairs!! I think you have made a very wise choice in your storage!! Stay safe and thanks for sharing!!! Best Wishes from Kentucky!!!

[@camicri4263]

Pete, you did a good comparison! I always was thinking that a walking is the way to go but now the only advantage is space and honestly that is a huge one if you don't have it. Other than space....I don't know if it's worth it! Thanks Pete!

[@paulbzzz7636]

Thank you so much for this.

[@matthiasherzog1566]

Awesome video! Thank you sir! The point with the generator is very true. We are in a 3 world place and get sometimes 2 days or more without power. As you said with a small generator I can power 10 freezers at the same time if I plug them in not all at once but gradually one at a time. It really works well

[@darshankate1357]

This kind of video is treasure for us. Thank you so much for the video and knowledge

[@brucemc8384]

Great information, Thank you!

[@Greg_Johnson_1986]

So excited!!!

[@allamerican7830]

Good stuff. Nice research. Enjoyed the video

[@wendyhumphreystebbutt5782]

Brilliant video!

[@joeyfiola3852]

Thanks for this very informative.

[@dannyschrimsher6453]

My two grandsons and their dad sell farm to table beef. They have some chest freezers and two upright store freezers which have both failed losing them lots of meat. I’m going to tell them about this video and hopefully they will watch and learn. Enjoy all your videos

[@johnmeye]

Super helpful! Thank you!

[@jamiepeeler9660]

Great analysis.

[@radiationroom]

Thank you. This is useful information.

[@joebarbjb6668]

And it would be difficult to sit on a walk-in and give a farming lecture. Thanks, it was fascinating.

[@dans_Learning_Curve]

LoL 🤣😆 My thoughts too!

[@geraldsundberg3610]

A good explanation Pete.

[@tommybounds3220]

Thank you for the video

[@dorothyrosier7824]

Lots of points to ponder. I know of a brand new start up farm that just bought a walk-in but they are mostly growing vegetables and that seemed to make the most sense for that operation.

[@dennishutchinson]

Very good discussion.

[@TheFamilyFarmstead]

Great information!

[@jefffuchs5434]

Great job!!

[@davehafso7003]

This beats Buffalo any day!! This was actually really helpful for me. Thanks so much for putting this video together!

[@xkitchick]

That was awesome!!!!!!

[@jasonstarr6419]

when i was a youngster, my parents bought a grocery store - a field my father had been employed in for many years. naturally, the store had both a walkin cooler and a walkin freezer. now, having moved out to rural America, I've been wanting to get a basement dug so we could relocate our "prepper pantry" underground and then to install both a walkin freezer and cooler. However, since we already have two standalone freezers, three refrigerator/freezer combos and one refrigerator without a freezer, the argument for lower energy consumption and reduced likelihood of product loss - guess I'll just make enough room to house them all and enjoy the benefits of multiple units. Thanks, Pete. Love your channel, and could sit and listen to you read the phone book if you chose to do so!

[@biggrantlewis]

Love this dude !!

[@TheApocalypticKnight]

Thank you for this video, it was very useful.

[@elirios4497]

Good food for thought!

[@theafricanjumbee1197]

I am glad I've decided to do more research and stumble upon this video. I am currently in talks with a Chinese manufacturer to purchase a 10×8×8 walk-in freezer. Now I know what I should do. Thanks very much

[@robscott553]

Good info. Thanks!

[@jamescole1786]

Wow! Enjoyed the analysis comparing chest freezers vs. 8' walk-in units. Excellent details Pete! Great presentation...but...seeing all those frozen turkeys(?) & chickens...humm..made me hungry! LoL!😊👍👍

[@jevoneFernando]

Great info thanks

[@bettinah.7429]

Really good info! 👍🏼

[@adamssurta8568]

I appreciate all of your content, however as a up-and-coming farmer just starting out my operation these are the types of informational videos that are of most benefit to me. I’ve been thinking a lot about this particular issue on my own small farm. Thank you for this video.

[@karenw9996]

I wish you well - we need more up & coming farmers!

[@cyrilmths]

Very useful! God bless!

[@Mdotis100]

Love it Thank you

[@grammybear4226]

🐼 Big Bear Hugs from a 68 yr old grandma in Kirby, Texas, USA 🐼 ❤️ 🎀 ❤️ 🎀 ❤️ 🎀

[@Mcleanbe123]

Farmer and cost accountant! nice explanation of whether to proceed with capital investments! :)

[@buzz191saw]

Makes sense to me!

[@idablythe4847]

We use a 12x15 room off barn that was a tack room to keep all vegetables in and use a 12,000 btu air conditioner to cool room. Really works great. My brother insulated room and put double doors on so he can use tractor to lift out skids with boxes when he goes to markets. We also now have a second cooler that was an old oil rig office. We use it to sell produce out of at farm in front of property so we don’t half to move vegetables, just close the doors. It is also cooked with air conditioner 12x20 feet. Also gives us extra storage. Customers really like it. We used a metal 3 sided animal shelter before. Lot less work now. Thanks for your freezer evaluation. When we were kids we had 4 of 8 feet long freezers. We used for beef,pork,chicken and bread. There were 9 kids and 2 adults.

[@dmeads5663]

I feel like a nice chest freezer is something everyone should have.

[@lisanowakow3688]

Thank you!

[@janicepin3375]

I don't have a lot of interest in freezers, Pete, but you made this very very interesting. Thank you

[@jamesmorrison1884]

Hello Pete and Hillary. Have a good day.

[@newellbros1483]

Good video.

[@deanlewis1650]

Often thought about this. I even wonder the difference in chest versus the stand up freezer and the comparison of how much product that can be stored in the same amount of space.

[@wilmareedang8855]

Really helpfull.. thanks

[@ilangovanthevar6612]

You are one smart fella🤓

[@mgguygardening]

Great video Pete. I think you're spot on - based on your numbers and at the point you're at with what you need, the chest freezers are definitely the way to go. In the future, maybe a walk in would be more beneficial. Some really helpful information here!

[@annmittelstadt2938]

We have a chest freezer from the 1960's and it still running. Works great. It's older than me and I'm 53. lol

[@Poshi]

Hi Pete I don't think you'll see this but if you do thank you I first watched one of your videos and decided I wanting to get a few acres i haven't been able to find anything yet but I got the best I could. A horse I ended up getting my horse sully all because of you inspiring me of the farm ways thank you for bringing this wonderful lifestyle to my eyes

[@Flowing23]

ty Pete