Traditional fridge/freezer vs alternative options
Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2024 2:37 am
I think owning a freezer is probably optimal, because it allows taking advantage of bulk pricing and sales. It's also an extremely convenient way to store fruits, vegetables, and meat without sacrificing nutritional value as with canning and dehydration. Generally chest freezers that I would consider cost around $30 a year to run and something like $500-$600 new. (~$30-$60/year depreciation) So $60-$90 a year total, which seems well worth the benefits. I haven't learned how to determine the value of a used model but this would likely be another way to optimize if I could reliably avoid getting a lemon. On the other hand, maybe a higher end freezer would be worth getting instead of a cheap option?
It's harder to argue for a refrigerator from a cost standpoint, but I think that milk and eggs are actually quite nutritious for the cost. Typically stores in my area seem to use them as loss leaders, which results in them having the lowest cost per gram of complete protein of any items in the store that I have considered. Whole milk also offers around 1000 calories for $1.20 - not as good as rice/beans/flour/oatmeal, but still quite good.
The options I am considering are:
1) Freezer only: freeze milk, eggs, and leftovers and unthaw in a microwave or on the countertop. Haven't tried this but seems possible?
2) Traditional fridge/freezer combo: Slightly more expensive than a chest freezer, but around 2x electric cost and depreciation rate(?). There may be a "free" fridge thrown in when I purchase a house in the near future, which would change my calculation (at least until it breaks).
3) Chest freezer and high end cooler: Supposedly, very high end coolers (~$200 used, possibly with a $15 gasket replacement) can keep ice frozen for a week or more, which means an internal temperature of 0C. I could freeze some ice packs in the chest freezer and transfer them to my cooler once a week. I think this would save something like $100 a year since the cooler would negligibly increase electric cost and would not depreciate in value? Plus, I get to own a sweet high quality cooler instead of a cheap crappy fridge. I think it would also match my desired space considerations quite well.
4) No freezer, no fridge: I haven't read enough about this possibility yet. I know Jacob recommends books on supplying sailboats. Based on a quick price analysis at my local stores, it seems like most preserved food is both less nutritious and more expensive. I feel like there might be a solution here though?
Kind of crazy how much thought you can put into what initially seemed like a simple question. I'm curious if anyone else has figured out an optimal solution in this area?
It's harder to argue for a refrigerator from a cost standpoint, but I think that milk and eggs are actually quite nutritious for the cost. Typically stores in my area seem to use them as loss leaders, which results in them having the lowest cost per gram of complete protein of any items in the store that I have considered. Whole milk also offers around 1000 calories for $1.20 - not as good as rice/beans/flour/oatmeal, but still quite good.
The options I am considering are:
1) Freezer only: freeze milk, eggs, and leftovers and unthaw in a microwave or on the countertop. Haven't tried this but seems possible?
2) Traditional fridge/freezer combo: Slightly more expensive than a chest freezer, but around 2x electric cost and depreciation rate(?). There may be a "free" fridge thrown in when I purchase a house in the near future, which would change my calculation (at least until it breaks).
3) Chest freezer and high end cooler: Supposedly, very high end coolers (~$200 used, possibly with a $15 gasket replacement) can keep ice frozen for a week or more, which means an internal temperature of 0C. I could freeze some ice packs in the chest freezer and transfer them to my cooler once a week. I think this would save something like $100 a year since the cooler would negligibly increase electric cost and would not depreciate in value? Plus, I get to own a sweet high quality cooler instead of a cheap crappy fridge. I think it would also match my desired space considerations quite well.
4) No freezer, no fridge: I haven't read enough about this possibility yet. I know Jacob recommends books on supplying sailboats. Based on a quick price analysis at my local stores, it seems like most preserved food is both less nutritious and more expensive. I feel like there might be a solution here though?
Kind of crazy how much thought you can put into what initially seemed like a simple question. I'm curious if anyone else has figured out an optimal solution in this area?