Chest freezers for homes, shops and farms

Choosing the right size

• About 100 L: a flat, a granny flat or a small top-up freezer.
• About 200 L: a typical family that buys meat in bulk once a month.
• About 300 L: a large household, a small spaza or takeaway stock.
• About 500 L: butcheries, caterers, farms and shops selling frozen goods.

Measure the space and the doorways first, and leave a gap at the back and sides for air. A freezer squeezed into a hot corner works harder and fails sooner. Bigger is not always better: a half-empty freezer uses power for space you do not need.

Features worth comparing

Look at the running cost on the energy label, the temperature range, wire baskets, a lid lock for shops and shared spaces, castors, and an inside light. Some models switch between fridge and freezer modes, useful for events and seasonal stock. Ask about the gas: most new household freezers use R600a. For shops selling ice cream or frozen meat to customers, a glass-lid freezer or display fridge may suit better. For a garage or outbuilding that gets very hot or cold, ask whether the model is rated for those room temperatures.

Prices, new and used

As a guide, new chest freezers are about R2,700 to R3,300 for about 100 L, R3,300 to R4,500 for 200 L, R4,700 to R7,000 for 300 L and R8,000 to R9,000 for 500 L, depending on the size and model. Used freezers are quoted per item; run one for a day with a thermometer inside before you pay, and check the seal, hinges and that the outside skin is not rusting through. When comparing quotes, check whether delivery, carrying it inside and removal of an old freezer are included, as these vary between suppliers.

Power cuts and care

Keep the lid closed during power cuts and load-shedding; a full freezer holds its cold longer than an empty one. A surge protector or delay plug helps protect the compressor when power returns. Defrost when the ice gets thick, keep the drain bung in place and wipe the seal. If a freezer starts running warm, see freezer repair before you replace it.

What to include in your request

• The size in litres and how many
• New, used, or either
• Space available, width and depth
• Delivery address and access
• Any features needed, e.g. lid lock

Chest Freezers for different clients

• Households: a 200 L freezer in the garage for monthly bulk meat buying
• Landlords, guest houses and B&Bs: small chest freezers for self-catering units and holiday lets
• Shops, cafes and supermarkets: a lockable freezer for ice, frozen chicken and ice lollies at a spaza
• Restaurants, butcheries and caterers: a 500 L freezer for a caterer's or takeaway's bulk stock
• Farms, packhouses and dairies: large freezers for venison, lamb and farm produce after slaughter
• Factories and cold stores: freezers for staff canteens and sample storage on site
• Schools, clinics and public buildings: freezers for school feeding schemes and clinic kitchens
• Technicians and repairers: freezers bought for resale or for event and catering hire

Frequently asked questions

Chest Freezers by province and city

• Gauteng
• Mpumalanga
• North West
• Limpopo
• Northern Cape
• Free State
• KwaZulu-Natal
• Eastern Cape
• Western Cape

• Johannesburg
• Pretoria
• Centurion
• Midrand
• Sandton
• Randburg
• Roodepoort
• Krugersdorp
• Randfontein
• Germiston
• Boksburg
• Benoni
• Kempton Park
• Alberton
• Vanderbijlpark
• Vereeniging
• Durban
• Pinetown
• Pietermaritzburg
• Richards Bay
• Newcastle
• Ladysmith
• Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
• East London
• Kariega (Uitenhage)
• Mthatha
• Cape Town
• Bellville
• Paarl
• Stellenbosch
• George
• Worcester
• eMalahleni (Witbank)
• Middelburg
• Secunda
• Mbombela (Nelspruit)
• Rustenburg
• Brits
• Klerksdorp
• Potchefstroom
• Mahikeng
• Polokwane
• Tzaneen
• Kimberley
• Upington
• Bloemfontein
• Welkom
• Sasolburg

More repairs, refrigeration and parts