on the chest freezer

No fall musings here--I'm all business today. It's seventy degrees out, and I've got that uncomfortable sweaty feeling when it's supposed to be colder. It might be warm today, but it will be winter very very soon. It's mad stash week for Fall Fest and so we're going to get right to the point.

Still thinking about that chest freezer? You know, that one that you eye at Sears every September when you just packed your freezer with so much tomato sauce that it's all going to fall on you the next time you need an ice cube?

Perhaps you have never thought about that chest freezer. Perhaps you're living space is filled with couches and beds and other nonessential furniture. "I have no space!" you say. "How can I get a chest freezer!" You have space, I tell you. Your children don't need a bedroom--they will gladly sleep on the couch in exchange for the fifty pounds of frozen strawberries they get to eat all winter. Do you put your cars in the garage? Let them rust. Make way for the freezer.

Okay, so the chest freezer isn't for everyone. But if you've been contemplating the purchase of one, I thought I'd get a little conversation going over here, a little dialogue on the freezer, if you will. House tours around here always end up in basement in front of our great white, and so I'll take this moment to answer some commonly asked questions.

What kind of freezer do you have?
I'm pretty sure that this is the one.

Wow! That's really big!
Yes, we share it with our friends Jen and Pete. They're farmers, and they fill their side up with frozen corn and spinach, and we fill up our side with lots and lots of meat. They're vegetarians, but it works out okay.

What about the energy use?
It uses about 500 kwh per year, which costs us about 50 bucks.

And why chest instead of upright?
To each her own. Chest freezers are more efficient, whereas upright freezers are easier to organize.

Speaking of organization, how does that work?
Joey made a beautiful diagram with all the different compartments of the freezer so that we could keep track of what was in there. Jen uses it--I never do. My side is a mess, but I still seem to be able to find what I'm looking for.

Why would I want a chest freezer?
Well, if you're a meat eater, start here. And vegetarian? How about here? Or here?

So, yes, defrosting takes a bit of foresight. But a bit of menu planning is good for us all, right? And should the world collapse around you, can feel sure that there will always be food in the house for dinner.

Yes! It's fall fest, so let's get talking! Anyone want to weigh in on the freezer question? How are you preserving all these fabulous foods for the long, cold, winter ahead?

Here's the line up....I'll add as the breaking mad stash news comes in!

Alison at Food2: Break Out the Stash

Kirsten at Food Network: Roasting Pumpkin Seeds


Liz at Healthy Eats: Mad Squash Stash


Michelle at Cooking Channel: Save Em' While You Can