To the surprise of many, refrigerators are one of the oldest home appliances ever invented. The first electrically powered refrigerators started selling in the 1920s and by the 1940s, they had been equipped with integrated freezers that made the lives of housewives of the time much easier. 

We have come a long way since then, and we all know that having a freezer to preserve foods that won’t be of immediate consumption is a must in any kitchen. Sometimes, though, the reduced space of our fridge’s inbuilt freezer won’t be enough to store all our favorite frozen foods, meats, seafood, or ice cream goodies. It is time then, to get a standalone freezer. The dilemma of course would be, which brand to choose from all the available ones in the market.

GE FUF21DLRWW 21.3-Cu. Ft. Frost-Free Upright Freezer Review

Google’s Rating: 4.6

Manufacturer, color, type: Proudly manufactured by GE, the FUF21DLRWW Upright Freezer is a tall freezer of freestanding installation equipped with interior bright lights for you to easily organize all your favorite meals. An extra boost of cold air that circulates inside the freezer regulates the temperature for optimal food freshness. It is spacious for you to keep pizza boxes, packs of frozen vegetables, meats (in their lower baskets), or just packs of ice for hot days (or party days). It is made of stainless steel, with plastic parts, and glass shelves. It comes in white, with a nicely designed handle that has a glossy finish. 

Dimensions, Weight, and Capacity: This is a tall slender freezer that measures 35 x 33.5 x 73.6 inches. It weighs 239 pounds and has an overall capacity of 21.3 cubic feet. It has a depth of 31.3 inches and is equipped with 4 inner glass shelves and two lower plastic baskets that allow you to store heavy frozen products. It has door storage available too and automatically defrosts. It also comes with a temperature alarm that lets you know if the inner temperature is too low. 

Annual Energy Consumption and Temperature Control: This is an energy-efficient appliance that is Energy Star certified. Its yearly consumption is 495 KWh and the annual estimated cost for having this fancy freezer working at home is 59 dollars, which is considerably lower than the yearly monetary cost of similar appliances manufactured by other companies. This is a smartly designed freezer that is equipped with an exterior electronic LED light panel that allows you to regulate the temperature of the freezer without having to open its door. Its inner temperature range is between -6 to -15 degrees Celsius (21.2°F to 5°F)

Safety:  This GE freezer operates with Isobutane (R600a) as a refrigerant, which is an environmentally friendly natural gas but, under abusive conditions can become highly flammable. The correct disposal of old refrigerant appliances should comply with the regulations in your state. Although this freezer is ‘garage’ ready, it is not recommended to operate it outdoors under very hot conditions (more than 110°F -43°C) and it should not be placed in direct sunlight which can affect its performance and shorten its lifespan.

Wattage & Connect type: This is an electrically powered freezer that needs a 115 Volt common AC, 60 Hz, 15 or 20 (Amp) fused, grounded 3 prongs electrical house outlet to properly operate. The power cord of this device is equipped with a 3-prong plug. Do not use extension cords and avoid overloading the device. This freezer will also require a water connection and a water valve (shut-off) within 6 feet of the hookup. It’s a good idea to use a metric measuring tape to measure in advance the area where your freezer will be installed. During installation, make sure the freezer has enough space that its vents aren’t covered by the wall or other pieces of furniture.

Other features: This awesome freezer by GE comes with a smart lock and a key that saves your stored goods from unwanted entry. This feature makes it safe to be placed in commercial places or offices and can be a safety measure for small children. Also, this is a UL (Underwriters Laboratories) product that has been tested as safe and environmentally friendly. It has interior lights that turn on every time you open its door. 

Price: Currently, this GE freezer can be found in three different models. The 21.3-cu.ft. model can be found on online stores with a price between $1080 – $1099. If you switch to the 17.3-cu. ft. the price reduces to $940 -$950, and if you choose the smallest one of the three, with a capacity of 14.1- cu. ft. the price will fluctuate between $830 – $840. Check on Amazon’s GE store and directly with the manufacturers for payment plans that may allow you to pay for this freezer with monthly installments that can be charged to your debit or credit card.

SpecificationValue
Internal Capacity21.3-Cu. Ft.
Freezer Capacity21.3-Cu. Ft.
Total Capacity21.3-Cu. Ft.
Dimensions31.37″ x 32.87″ x 76.5″
Weight215 lbs.
Annual Energy Consumption495 kWh
Shelves4
Baskets/Bins3
Ice MakerNo
Defrost TypeFrost Free
Noise LevelN/A
CertificationsENERGY STAR® Qualified
Warranty1-year limited
Pros
  • Frost free
  • Spacious storage
  • Door alarm
  • Door lock
Cons
  • No child lock
  • No ice maker
GE FUF21DLRWW 21.3-Cu. Ft. Frost-Free Upright Freezer
GE FUF21DLRWW 21.3-Cu. Ft. Frost-Free Upright Freezer

How Does The GE FUF21DLRWW Compare With Its Competitors?

ModelTotal CapacityAnnual kWhCertificationsWarrantyReviewCheck Price
GE FUF21DLRWW21.3-Cu. Ft.495kWhUL, Energy Star1-year limited (entire appliance)Check Price
Frigidaire 20.0 cu. ft Upright Freezer20-Cu. Ft.531 KWhEnergy Star. CSA1-year limited (entire appliance)Check Price
Maytag 19.7 cu. ft. Frost Free Upright Freezer19.7-Cu. Ft.525 KWhUL listed10 years (compressor)Check Price
Gladiator Upright Rolling Garage Freezer17.8-Cu. Ft.496 KWhN/A1-year limited (entire appliance)Check Price

Is the GE FUF21DLRWW the Freezer for You?

We have reviewed in-depth the characteristics of the GE FUF21DLRWW Upright Freezer and we have compared it against other similar products from other best-selling brands. We can see that the GE Upright freezer offers great storage capacity with a low KWh use per year. The three models compared to GE’s upright freezer, Maytag, Gladiator, and Frigidaire’s, show less storage capacity with a major or equal KWh use per year.

This freezer is right for you if you are looking for an energy-efficient unit with a large storage capacity.

Why Choose GE

GE, originally General Electric, is the worldwide known veteran home appliance company that formally started its operations in 1892, by acquiring the rights of the Edison General Electric Company, which was founded by Thomas Alva Edison in 1878.

Almost two centuries later, GE has evolved into a multinational ‘monster’ that has diversified outside the United States and has a presence in many countries around the world. Among the products the big conglomerate manufactures, we can find electronics and electrical equipment, ranging from domestic home appliances, lightbulbs, refrigerators to aircraft engines. General Electric’s manufacturing seal is always synonymous with high-quality products. 

GE Appliances
Shopping for a new refrigerator? Check out refrigerators from GE Appliances & learn more about the brand’s history, reviews, & more.

Interestingly, when it comes to refrigerating devices, GE is a favorite one for homeowners across America. In this article, we will review in depth one of GE’s best-selling products in the category of stand-alone upright freezers.

An independent freezing device that can work on its own is a great asset that will not only be found at commercial places, stores, or offices but can also stand in your kitchen alongside your common refrigerator.

The designs and prices vary, from upright standalone freezers to industrial glass door freezers (usually those are found in ice cream shops, they can be upright or square-shaped), to domestic chest freezers that can be placed in a garage or basement, or smaller freezing devices that can be ideal for a bedroom or a college dorm. But when picking a personal freezer for our ice lollies we wonder, which is the best one in the market?

Chest Freezers vs Upright Freezers

Upright or stand-alone freezers are similar to refrigerators in terms of design. They come in a vertical one-door design, with inner shelves that work pretty much like fridge shelves and baskets. They allow you to make a good classification to have good organization among your stored products, but the storage depth is limited due to their external shape.

Chest Freezers vs. Upright Freezers
The main distinction when picking a freezer is chest freezers versus upright freezers. Learn all about their differences here.

Chest freezers on the other hand, are usually horizontal box-shaped devices that work as storage units for frozen goods like fish catches, seafood (in general), and other meats, ice, or frozen packets of food that can be piled on top of each other. They usually offer more storage depth, but fewer options to separate or classify products.

One design is not better than the other, they just fill different needs. In terms of price, chest freezers will usually be cheaper (from 600 to 900 dollars) whereas upright freezers can be a bit more costly, (from 700 to 2000 dollars). However, upright freezers will present the advantage of auto-defrosting, as opposed to chest freezers that must be cleaned manually.

FAQs

Will a stand-alone freezer make me save money?

Yes. Although it may seem like it is unnecessary to buy a separate freezer for your kitchen/bedroom or garage, in the long run, freezing food that won’t be of daily consumption will save you from recurring trips to the supermarket. It will help you store delicate foods such as seafood for longer and will be of great aid when summer hits and you have your own ice-cream station at home!

Are freezers or refrigerators that use R600a as refrigerant, dangerous?

Isobutane R600a is stable under controlled environments but can be highly combustible if not treated properly. Therefore, the reviewed freezer (and all refrigerant devices in general) should not be abused, placed under inclement weather conditions, hit, or perforated. If you’re a responsible user, the refrigerant your freezer contains won’t be a problem.

Is the GE FUF21DLRWW Upright Freezer good for RVs too?

No. Although this product is advertised to be safe to operate in a garage, and/or basement, or any other spot away from the kitchen, it is a freezer of delicate mechanism that was not built for motion or outdoor environments. RV’s freezers or refrigerators usually have specially built compressors that absorb shock and are sturdy enough to keep performing whilst your vehicle is in motion. This is a home appliance that should not be taken outdoors.

Can I freeze beverages or liquids in a standalone freezer?

It is a good idea to use the GE FUF21DLRWW Upright Freezer as an ice station for summertime (it comes equipped with two deep low baskets that can hold bags of ice), but it is a terrible idea to store fizzy drinks that are canned or in glass bottles in the freezer for long periods. Cans can become explosive if brought under very low temperatures. Beer bottles can also explode inside a freezer causing damage and glass shattering. Keep your ice cream in the freezer, and your cokes in the fridge.

How do I defrost an upright freezer?

Upright freezers usually come with an automatic defrosting feature although it is recommended to unplug the freezer from time to time to properly clean its interiors and check for stains, expired food, unpleasant odors, etc.

How long do stand-alone freezers last?

Upright stand-alone freezers can last between 8-15 years, depending on the use and care you give to them. It is a longtime friend that will stay in your kitchen for several years if taken care of.

Share.

Leave a Reply