Honestly I'm not sure they still make manual defrost models. :) But if they do I'd go for the auto-defrost for convenience but the manual defrost for long-life durability of the unit. The cycling has to increase wear and tear on the components. Any idea how the prices compare? All my freezers are chest type so no experience with the uprights.

Dave

Yeah I did some more reading and research last night as the question intrigued me and based on that I'd go with the manual defrost. Like Annie says, much less effect on the foods and as long as you have the ability to do the defrost on a regular basis they are also much more energy efficient. Plus the models I compared are a bit cheaper upfront.

One bit of info that surprised me is the Frigidaire makes almost all the freezers (of both types) in the US regardless of the brand name the model is sold under and their website "implies" (assuming proper care) the much longer life-cycle for the manual type.

There are some good articles on "manual vs. frost free freezers" available via Google if interested.

Dave

PS: how are things going at home? Better I hope.

Madonna, I hope that means you are making gardening plans and I'm glad to see you posting ;)

I have a roomy bottom mount self defrost with my kitchens refrigerator, and have always had an upright freezer. The things left for (lazy) convenience in the refrigerators freezer never keep as long with the same quality for me.

When I replaced my faithful upright freezer (40 yrs and still running) three years ago when we moved, I bought manual defrost again. The appliance clerk at Sears didn't know they came any way other than self defrosting, I was a new experience for her. And probably three times her age ;)

My freezer now is in a cubby coming from the mudroom instead of a trek to the basement. I'm making better use of it more conveniently located, which means it's in a warmer space and I'm opening the door more often. I'm finding I should defrost it every 6 months instead of once in Fall, can accomplish that in under an hour. I empty the food into every cooler we own and my garden wagon, put a little space heater in front of the open door - and it's wiped dry and refilled, running in just over 45 minutes...not that much work. I wouldn't buy self defrosting with long term storage in mind.

Manual it will be. I agree, Dave, that automatic just seems like it would wear out faster due to bouncing back and forth during the defrost cycle. The more an electrical gadget has on it, the more it has to go wrong.

Annie, the defrosting and refreezing of the freezer part of the side by side has always bothered me. There's nothing I can do about it except not put anything in it that I feel that would hurt too much. I'm sure over a long time of storage, it would definitely break down the quality of the food in there.

Morz8, yes, I've already started my seeds for broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts and will be starting more tonight. I plan to have a large garden this year. Most will be canned, but a lot are not suitable for canning plus I want to make sure I have room for meats and fish in the freezer. Even though there is only one in this family now, I plan to make sure I can put up as much as I'll want and need for as much of the next year as possible. My freezer is also off in a little cubby behind my back mud room and against an outside wall. We had originally planned to put a door to a garage there, but we never built the garage and the diminsions were perfect for the upright. It is cooler there and we never had to defrost it more than twice a year and, like you, had the defrosting down to about the same length of time. One thing DH did was attach the hose from the bottom of the freezer to a pipe that delivered it to another pipe going out so no messing with shallow pans of freezing water which I had to do for too many years.

I'm doing well. I think the fact that Darrell was so ill for so long and in so much pain and now he's at peace and no longer in pain has helped me accept it more. There was also so much support from friends, both in person and on the net, that helped. During the four days before Darrell passed, the last of the transplant patients that we were with at the same time as the transplants were performed, passed away and my very close friend in Florida unexpectedly lost the love of her life. The friend in Florida and I shared a lot of support for each other. Everyone here on Gardenweb helped a lot. They are my Gardenweb family and I feel like I've known all of you forever. Thank you.

Madonna

You already know what wonderful therapy gardening and canning can be, even in the worst of times. It not only allows us to escape the worries of the world for a time but put things into some sort of comfortable perspective as well.

So my wishes for you this coming season are for the best garden you have ever had. May no pests find you, no diseases dare appear, all the sunshine you deserve after the trials of the past year shine down, and may no jars break or boil over and all lids seal. :-) Stay in touch with us.

Dave

Thank you so much, Dave. That was just beautiful. I do hope to have the best garden ever and if I don't, heck, there's always the farmers markets and a couple of farms I trust. May we all have successful gardens and harvests this year.

Madonna

Well, now, THAT'S a canner's blessing: "May all your lids seal". I second that thought.

Annie