Common Questions About Upright Freezers

What size upright freezer do I need for my household?

The best upright freezer size for you depends on the space you have available as well as the amount of food you need to store. GE upright freezers range from 14 to 21 cubic feet in capacity. As a general guide, we recommend 14-17 cu. ft. for medium-sized households of 3-4 people. For larger households, consider an upright freezer with 17 cu. ft. capacity and above.

What features should I look for in an upright freezer?

For easy access and flexible storage, choose upright freezers with slide-out bins, adjustable shelving, and LED interior lighting. To help maintain peak freshness, consider models with a Turbo Freeze setting, which quickly drops the temperature to preserve food quality after adding new items. If you’re placing your freezer in a garage or basement, look for garage-ready models designed to perform in a wider range of temperatures.

Can I put an upright freezer in my garage?

If you want to keep your upright freezer in your garage, make sure you select a garage-ready model. These are designed and tested to perform at temperatures ranging from 0°F to 110°F. And, for extra peace of mind, look for models with our Power Outage Promise. This ensures that your food can remain frozen (at temperatures of 32°F or lower) for 48 hours in the event of a power cut.

What’s the difference between manual and frost-free upright freezers?

The main difference between manual defrost and frost-free upright freezers is how they manage ice buildup inside the freezer. Manual models can be more energy efficient and quieter but they require regular defrosting, which can be time-consuming and messy. Meanwhile, frost-free upright freezers cost a little more and use more energy, but they’re easier to maintain and use a fan and heating element to prevent frost buildup automatically.

How do I organize food in an upright freezer?

How you choose to organize your upright freezer is up to you. Take advantage of slide-out bins and baskets, and opt for clear ones so you have better visibility. For more flexibility, look for upright freezer models with adjustable shelving, so you can move things around to suit the shape and size of your goods.

Grouping items by category (meats, vegetables, pre-cooked meals, sweet treats, etc.) can be very helpful. For busy households, the first-in, first-out method (where you put new items at the back and move older ones to the front) also helps minimize food waste.