The Ultimate GE FUF17DLRWW 17.3-Cu. Ft. Upright Freezer Review

We all need a refrigerator at home that is functional enough to cool our foods for daily cooking, dairy products, eggs, vegetables, deli meats, etc. For many decades, refrigerators have offered us the advantage of having a separate compartment, an inbuilt top or bottom-freezer that keeps our ice cream treats, and other packs of food that won’t be of daily consumption properly preserved. The problem, however, will always be space.

Inbuilt freezers usually take up 1/3 of the total storage space of a fridge and if you are the kind of homeowner that likes to stock frozen food in advance for that upcoming party, or if you have fish catches to store to cook or sell later, or if you just think that having extra freezer storage at home will make you save a good buck, it’s time to find a stand-alone freezer that will become your refrigerator’s new partner in food preservation.

It is possible then to have a freezer at home that will have a storage capacity similar to a standard kitchen fridge (between 17 -25 cubic feet) as there are manufacturers that include wide storage upright and chest freezers in their refrigerating appliance lines.

In particular, we will focus on one brand that has been a longtime bestseller of refrigerators, excelling in quality and durability. Often rated high in online stores, we all have had at least one light bulb of the brand GE.

GE GDE21ESKSS 21-Cu. Ft. Bottom Freezer Refrigerator Review

Google’s Rating: 4.1

Standalone freezers come in different designs, sizes, and prices, and they work pretty much like any standard kitchen refrigerator. They connect to the power grid the same way any fridge or cooler does. They may also need a water line to properly operate.

Among the most common designs for domestic freezers, we have upright (vertical) freezers and chest (horizontal) freezers that work mostly as a food storage unit without including many of the features that an upright freezer may offer us.

Chest freezers are the favorite ones of micro sellers that may need a deep, practical, and not so expensive freezer that can keep in-stock products that will be sold later, such as cafeteria’s homemade ice cream sandwiches, seafood, meats, or harvested vegetables that need to be fresh to be transported to another store, later on. Also, some of those models are garage-ready and can work in hot or cold environments. They have a top lid that can have a lock to protect the frozen goodies from unwanted entries. 

Upright freezers, nonetheless, are more for household use as their designs are somewhat similar to kitchen refrigerators. They are equipped with a main swing door and interior glass shelves in which you can easily organize your foods without having to pile them on top of each other. Door storage basket bins are also a plus. They may have temperature control panels and they usually defrost automatically, unlike chest freezers that may need manual defrosting from time to time.

In terms of price, chest freezers are usually cheaper. You can find good, sturdy designs starting from $500 – $1,000 (depending on the inner capacity). Upright freezers of freestanding installation have a price range of $700 –$2,000 depending on storage capacity, features, and the brand.

In this review, we will focus on the GE FUF17DLRWW 17.3-Cu. Ft. Upright Freezer, yet another well-designed, elegant upright freezer from GE that can work in your kitchen but is also garage ready. Bear in mind though, that although GE advertises that their line of upright freezers is garage-ready, such appliances are not meant for rough use and they won’t perform properly in environments hotter than 110 °F (43 °C).

We have chosen the 17 cubic feet model, to review in-depth. Let’s look at its main specifications.

Manufacturer, color, type:  The FUF17DLRWW Upright Freezer is a slender, elegantly designed freezer that is a space saver in your kitchen and has great inner storage for you to classify and store your selection of frozen goods. It includes GE’s Turbo Freeze technology, which is an extra boost of cool air that helps to evenly preserve your foods. 

It also includes an audible alarm that lets you know if the door was left open. It is ideal for packs of pre-made food, pizzas, and ice cream bottles. You don’t need to pile up food inside it. You can store the products as if they were in a regular refrigerator. It is made of stainless steel, with plastic parts (inner insulation), and glass shelves. It comes in white with a nice handle that has a glossy finish.

Dimensions, Weight, and Capacity: This is a vertically designed freezer that measures 64.7 x 32.8 inches, weighing only 195 pounds. It has a storage capacity of 17.3 cubic feet, with a depth of 31.3 inches. It includes 4 inner glass shelves for easy storage and two lower plastic baskets that make it easier for you to keep heavier products. It also defrosts automatically.

Annual Energy Consumption and Temperature Control: The GE FUF17DLRWW has been certified by Energy Star as energy-efficient. Its yearly electricity consumption is 441 kWh, and the approximate monetary cost per year would be 59 dollars, which is considerably lower than other freezers of similar characteristics. This estimated energy cost is based on a national US average electricity cost of 12 cents per kWh. 

This freezer also comes with exterior electronic LED temperature controls that are digital and you can manage the temperature without having to open its doors. This is a garage ready freezer that can perform well under indoor temperatures (kitchen, garage, basement) from 0°F (-17°C) to 110°F (43°C). But it should not be exposed to harsh outdoor weather conditions as its compressor could be damaged. This freezer cools from -6 to -15 °C (21.2°F to 5°F).

Safety: GE openly informs us that their freezers operate with Isobutane (R600a) gas as a refrigerant, which is a natural gas that is environmentally conscious but that under abusive conditions can become highly flammable/combustible. Do not scrape the interiors of this freezer with pointy, sharp objects. When moving it, ensure that you handle it with care and allow at least 24 hours to plug it in again to allow the refrigerant to properly settle. Do not operate under direct sun rays nor place this appliance next to other kitchen machines that emit heat such as microwaves and/or toaster ovens, or stoves.

Wattage & Connect type: This freezer connects to the main grid in your house and will need a 115 Volt common AC, 60 Hz, 15 or 20 (Amp) fused, grounded 3 prongs electrical house outlet to properly operate. It is the user’s responsibility to change the outlet entry (from two prongs to three prongs) for this freezer to be properly connected without an extension cord or a converter. The power cord included in this freezer is equipped with a 3-prong plug (grounding). The freezer should not be overloaded. This freezer requires a water connection and a water valve (shut-off) within 6 feet of the hookup to be able to produce interior ice. Do not cover its vents, and make sure you consider all these requirements before installing your freezer at home. 

Other features: The GE FUF17DLRWW is equipped with a smart lock and a personal key that protects your foods and prevents your freezer from being accessed either by small children or unwanted people. Also, its clear slide-out basket bins come in handy to store foods and keep the freezer clean.

Price: Currently, GE has a line of upright freezers with three different models that come with 3 different storage capacities. The prices can range between $830- $1,099 depending on the capacity of the freezer. Make sure you check out Amazon’s GE store for good deals and payment plans. 

How Does The GE FUF17DLRWW Compare With Its Competitors?

Is the GE FUF17DLRWW the Freezer for You?

By comparing the main specs of the GE FUF17DLRWW Upright Freezer to other freezers, we can conclude it is more energy-efficient and less pricey than some of its competitors.

GE is a brand that is Energy Star certified and UL listed. This upright freezer overpasses the government regulations for safety and environmental consciousness, plus it offers great features for a price less than 1,000 dollars. It is a space saver and customers have rated it as a money saver freezer due to its inner storage capacity and its low electricity consumption.

Why Choose GE

The multinational GE, formerly known as General Electric, is the company that has been producing home appliances and electrically powered tools since the early 1900s. 

Originally founded by Thomas Alva Edison in 1878, the Edison General Electric Company has evolved into one of the most renowned brands of in-home appliance manufacture, and almost two centuries later, we can use today’s technology to surf GE’s online store and find a wide array of home products that go from trash compactors to washing machines, ovens, water heaters, AC devices, humidifiers, refrigerators, etc.

GE is a great brand when it comes to refrigerating devices. They produce refrigerators, ice makers, and freezers that are worth checking out.

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