Chest Freezer Specs and Layouts

[GratefulBear]

Chest Freezer Specs Sheets and Layout Drawings

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Introduction

A little while back, I discovered the [thread=75449]Sizing your Chest Freezer for Corny Kegs[/thread] thread that inspired me to build a keezer and a fermentation chamber. I was blown away at how much information has been gathered to date on chest freezer models. Unfortunately, the thread has become increasingly disorganized as it has aged and, at over 60 pages, is unwieldy to browse. I found myself search for hours on hours just trying to determine which freezer could suit my needs (four kegs on the floor, fifth on the hump). As with many of my purchases, it resulted in a huge spreadsheet filled with numbers that I'll never look back at.

In an attempt to help the community here, I decided to utilize my CAD skills to help others vastly shorten their search to find the perfect chest freezer for them. To this end, I've created a specification sheet and layout drawings for several models of chest freezer so that their homebrew capabilities, prices and special features can be browsed on-the-fly. My goal is to gather, synthesize, and present these products for each of 30 models, ranging from 3.5 cu ft to 25 cu ft in capacity.

Progress: 21 models completed (67% to goal of 30) out of 52 known.

Please note that all of my images are clickable for a much larger view. I recommend you middle-click on them (click with the mouse wheel) to open them in another tab so you aren't navigated away from this page.

A Recommendation

I highly recommend that you read the next 4 posts before browsing through the specification sheet and layouts drawings. They will answer most of the questions that will arise while navigating this thread.

NOTE: Model names listed in bold have been completed. All other links simply point to placeholders.

Capacities At-a-Glance:

Spec Sheets and Layouts:

3.5 cu ft Class
[post=5115222]Danby 3.6 cu ft DCF401W1[/post]
[post=5115204]Emerson 3.5 cu ft CF353[/post]
[post=4731042]Haier 3.5 cu ft HNCM035E[/post]
[post=5131705]Igloo 3.6 cu ft FRF434[/post]

5 cu ft Class
[post=5115226]Avanti 5.2 cu ft CF1510[/post]
[post=5115209]Black & Decker 5.0 cu ft BFQ50[/post]
[post=4731047]Danby 5.5 cu ft DCF550W1[/post]
[post=5616618]Frigidaire 5.0 cu ft FFC0522DW[/post]
[post=5616620]Frigidaire 5.0 cu ft FFFC05M4NW[/post]
[post=4731043]GE 5.0 cu ft FCM5SUWW[/post]
[post=5115215]Haier 5.0 cu ft HCM050EC[/post]
[post=4731044]Holiday 5.0 cu ft LCM050LC[/post]
[post=4731045]Igloo 5.2 cu ft FRF452[/post]
[post=5616689]Kenmore 5.1 cu ft 18502[/post]

7 cu ft Class
[post=4731050]Danby 7.0 cu ft DCF700W1[/post]
[post=5038718]Frigidaire 7.0 cu ft FF07C3AW1[/post]
[post=5616141]Frigidaire 7.2 cu ft FF0723DW[/post]
[post=5616636]Frigidaire 7.2 cu ft FFC0723GB[/post]
[post=5616638]Frigidaire 7.2 cu ft FFC07M4NW[/post]
[post=4731051]GE 7.0 cu ft FCM7SUWW[/post]
[post=4731052]GE 7.0 cu ft FCM7DUWW[/post]
[post=4731056]Haier 7.1 cu ft HCM071AW[/post]
[post=4731053]Hanover 7.0 cu ft HANFC07MAW[/post]
[post=4731055]Holiday 7.0 cu ft LCM070LC[/post]
[post=4731057]Igloo 7.2 cu ft FRF472[/post]
[post=4906444]Kenmore 7.2 cu ft 18702[/post]
[post=4731048]Magic Chef 7.0 cu ft HMCF7W[/post]
[post=5616148]Menards 7.0 cu ft PS72731[/post]

9 cu ft Class
[post=4731058]Danby 8.7 cu ft DCFM246WDD[/post]
[post=4731060]Frigidaire 8.8 cu ft LFFC09M5HW[/post]
[post=5616660]Frigidaire 8.8 cu ft FFCH09M5MW[/post]
[post=5616622]Frigidaire 8.8 cu ft FFC0923DW[/post]
[post=4731059]GE 8.8 cu ft FCM9DTWH[/post]
[post=5616149]Kenmore 8.8 cu ft 16922[/post]
[post=5616681]Kenmore 8.8 cu ft 16949[/post]

10 cu ft Class
[post=4731061]Danby 10.2 cu ft DCFM289WDD[/post]

13 cu ft Class
[post=4731063]Frigidaire 12.9 cu ft LFCH13M2MW[/post]

15 cu ft Class
[post=4731069]Frigidaire 14.8 cu ft LFFN15M5HW[/post]
[post=5616792]Frigidaire 14.8 cu ft GLFC1526FW[/post]
[post=4731067]GE 14.8 cu ft FCM15PUWW[/post]
[post=4731068]GE 14.8 cu ft FCM15SUWW[/post]
Kenmore 14.8 cu ft 16542 Rebadged Frigidaire LFFN15M5HW
[post=4731064]Maytag 14.8 cu ft MQC1552TEW[/post]
[post=4731065]Whirlpool 14.8 cu ft EH151FXTQ[/post]

18 cu ft Class
[post=4731071]Whirlpool 17.5 cu ft EH185FXTQ[/post]

20.0 cu ft Class
[post=4731074]Frigidaire 19.7 cu ft FGCH20M7LW[/post]
[post=4731072]GE 19.7 cu ft FCM20SUWW[/post]
[post=5131691]Kenmore 19.7 cu ft 16082[/post]

22 cu ft Class
[post=4731077]Amana 21.7 cu ft AQC2213TEW[/post]
[post=4731090]Whirlpool 21.7 cu ft EH225FXTQ[/post]

25 cu ft Class
[post=4731092]Frigidaire 24.6 cu ft FGCH25M8LW[/post]
[post=4731091]GE 24.9 cu ft FCM25SBWW[/post]
[post=5616694]Kenmore 24.6 cu ft 16582[/post]

I see this old post by Thadius. Great work. Is there an updated spreadsheet? I'm hoping to get the dimensions on the Magic Chef 8.7cu (Home Depot). Not sure how big the hump is. Magic Chef 8.7 cu. ft. Manual Defrost Chest Freezer in White-HMCF9W3 - The Home Depot

 

[day_trippr]

@thadius856 hasn't been heard from here in over 6 years so I expect there isn't any updates to be had.
We are on our own now

Cheers!

 

[Spundit]

I just picked up a Hisense 7.0 cubic foot chest freezer at the local Walmart for $149. Model fc70d6ewd These were just stacked up in the aisle along with fans, air conditioners, mini fridge, and other seasonal items. This is in western NY state. YMMV

It fits 4 ball lock kegs on the floor and a 10lb Co2 tank on the hump (without a collar). A fifth 5g keg will fit on the hump with a 5"+ collar. Its pretty tight so I am not sure 4 pin lock kegs would fit on the floor.

I attached some pics.

 

[RampantOctopus]

I just picked up a Hisense 7.0 cubic foot chest freezer at the local Walmart for $149. Model fc70d6ewd

Hi Spundit, thinking of pulling the trigger on this very freezer tomorrow to use as a fermentation chamber. Just wanted to check in and see if you still liked yours. Also, noticed you’ve got a blow tie on there— does that fit in without a collar? (Looks like it does, but can’t be sure)

 

[Spundit]

I have only had it for about a month but it is working as expected. No complaints.

There is plenty of room for a spunding valve or blowoff tube setup. I just measured and it is at least 28.25" deep.

 

[RampantOctopus]

I have only had it for about a month but it is working as expected. No complaints.

There is plenty of room for a spunding valve or blowoff tube setup. I just measured and it is at least 28.25" deep.

Sweet. Thanks!

 

[ikeusmaximus]

@odie thanks for the pics and the info regarding the Magic Chef 7.0. I plan to bring my kegs to HD in the comming weeks to verify for myself (not all kegs are created equal), but I wanted to ask if you built a collar for yours...and if you did, how did you remove the lid...kinda hard to tell from the pics on the HD website (I cannot see any screws)

 

[odie]

I have a collar but it does not factor into keg capacity for me. The lid hinges just unscrew.

 

[ikeusmaximus]

@odie, thanks for the quick reply and confirmation.

 

[odie]

Just saw an Arctic King at Wal Mart for $199 in black. Hard to find color it seems. 7cf... ARC070s0ARBB anyone have one and how many kegs on the floor?

 

[odie]

@ikeusmaximus And I didn't buy the Magic Chef..

 

[hoppus]

Frigidaire FFFC15M4TW 14.8 Cubic Foot Chest Freezer


View attachment 704282

My 12.8 cf second keezer ("K2". RIP) was in the throes of demise (slow refrigerant leak) and the pickings for the next build were uber slim hereabout. I was very fortunate to obtain this new unit, which may have been the only one of its size in New England in the middle of August.

While you can close the lid with a ball lock keg on the floor, if you add a QD to it, no bueno. It's just not tall enough. The lid projects down into the cabinet cavity by a couple of inches - pretty much follows the 25-9/16" line seen from the side view - which doesn't leave enough room for much more than bare kegs.

And, from all appearances, the lid is glued together with foam and can't be opened - can't even remove the liner as best as I've been able to tell. There are no screws or pop fasteners to be found, and the gasket has a barbed tang on the back side that is simply stuffed into a slot running about a half-inch inside the lid perimeter.

No way to hide plumbing and wiring inside it as I did on both my K1 and K2 keezers if it can't be opened up. So one way or the other, a collar or custom lid is required (I went with the latter as I'm a tower fan )

Anyway, here are some dimension diagrams. I'll be going with this configuration as it's comfortably loose...

View attachment 704284

For the more aggressive, the maximum ball lock kegs on the floor is 9...

View attachment 704286

For pin lockers, the maximum pin lock kegs on the floor is also 9...

View attachment 704285

When I first obtained the unit I powered it up to make sure it worked (it'd be over 2 months before the build was completed). I noticed a mid-range moaning sound that was just the right frequency and strength to roll through our 65 foot ranch house. Not sure what that was all about, but once the build was completed a week ago and it was powered up presumably until it dies it's been purring along at least as quietly as its K2 predecessor - which used a very similar compressor. Anyway, it's very quiet

Worth knowing:

• The left end of the cabinet has no condenser runs, so it can literally butt up against whatever with no issues wrt operational efficiency/safety.
• There are evaporator runs on the broad side of the hump. Never seen that before.
• The compressor is mounted on a ribbed steel plate that is then attached to the underside of the cabinet. The plate and especially ribs project downwards below the rest of the cabinet, so if the whole thing was set on the floor it'd have a pronounced tilt. The unit is supplied with both a pair of feet to level the opposite end, as well as a set of casters for those who like their freezers mobile.

Cheers!

[edit] Forgot the pics!

A "Plain Jane" on the outside. It does sport a lock and pilot light on the handle.

View attachment 704343


Notice how deep the lid liner protrudes, and the light adds an additional ~inch.

View attachment 704344

When I got the unit home and saw this "Cyclopentane" I got a bit freaked as I thought it was a new type of refrigerant.
Turns out it's a foam-in-place process that this unit heavily utilized that's supposed to be more benign to the environment.

View attachment 704345

Thank goodness for the three hinges. The oem lid weighs 25 pounds, my replacement weighs 50 fully loaded.

View attachment 704346


No condenser at the left end so zero clearance. Handy for me as I have a fridge to the left.

View attachment 704347

Sorry if I missed this in a previous post, but I'm looking to try and do exactly as you have done with the newer model of this freezer (Model #FFCL1542AW Frigidaire 14.8 Cu. Ft. Chest Freezer in White-FFCL1542AW - The Home Depot), which looks to have the same dimensions. I'm also a tower fan, so the height restriction would be a dealbreaker. How did you go about sourcing the custom replacement lid?

 

[day_trippr]

I fabricated the custom lid (and dolly) in my humble workshop
You can find the extensive build thread here: My "K3" 14.8cf Keezer Build

Cheers!

 

[harrisr4]

I need help! I am looking for a 5.0 CU chest freezer to fit two 1/6 bbl kegs with no collar.
I might have to go with a 7.0 CU freezer instead. Im not sure.

 

[IslandLizard]

I need help! I am looking for a 5.0 CU chest freezer to fit two 1/6 bbl kegs with no collar.
I might have to go with a 7.0 CU freezer instead. Im not sure.

How are you going to put your taps in that, without a collar?

 

[harrisr4]

How are you going to put your taps in that, without a collar?

I may be wrong but I thought there was enough interior height to fit 1/6bbls kegs on the floor of the freezer with enough room for the tap without any collar. I am not against using a small collar. However the plan is for this to go under my countertop so I have limited height.

 

[IslandLizard]

I may be wrong but I thought there was enough interior height to fit 1/6bbls kegs on the floor of the freezer with enough room for the tap without any collar. I am not against using a small collar. However the plan is for this to go under my countertop so I have limited height.

Well, you need to measure it, and carefully before you buy.
Or better yet, take an (empty) sixtel with a Sanke coupler on it to the store.

Don't forget to have enough space above the keg for the couplers, with the lines attached and all. There's a significant height requirement for them. They do make low profile couplers, so that can make the difference of a fit or not.

Yeah, under a regular height counter there's not much leeway. Are you gonna slide that freezer out each time you need to go inside?
And you still need to mount the taps somewhere, you can't drill safely through the sides, there are coils in them. The lid has no coils in it, neither has the hump, but you do have a hot compressor in there.

Where's your CO2 tank gonna live?

 

[franknbeans]

I got a Hisense 7cf chest freezer ( NS-CZ70WH0 ) from Best Buy last summer.. I can only fit 3 staggered kegs in it. I put a 2x8 collar on it and could stick a keg on the hump, but my tank is inside. Funny the variations in sizes on these things. If I could go back, I would have gotten the 10cf model for more room.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia-7-0-cu-ft-chest-freezer-white/6385046.p?skuId=6385046

 

[MaxStout]

I have a 7 cu ft freezer for a ferm chamber. Fitting 2 Brew Buckets inside is very tight, due to their large diameter tops. Wish I had chosen a 10 cu ft model. Measure what fits, then go up the next size.

 

[beerfactory]

Definitely appreciate this thread. I was able to blindly (with a modicum of confidence and without being able to see a floor model) buy an Insignia 7 cu ft chest freezer today as a result.
When I got it home, I was able to confirm it will hold (4) ball locks on the floor. Plus room for a 2.5 gallon keg on the hump.
Bought it from Best Buy @ 229.99
Model: NS-CZ70WH0 SKU: 6385046

 

[wepeeler]

Definitely appreciate this thread. I was able to blindly (with a modicum of confidence and without being able to see a floor model) buy an Insignia 7 cu ft chest freezer today as a result.
When I got it home, I was able to confirm it will hold (4) ball locks on the floor. Plus room for a 2.5 gallon keg on the hump.
Bought it from Best Buy @ 229.99
Model: NS-CZ70WH0 SKU: 6385046View attachment 755034

Very nice. Might have to look into that.

The first keezer I bought fits 4 kegs and a 5lb CO2 tank on the collar. I bought what I thought was a dupe version of my first keezer, and it's like an ass hair smaller. I can't fit in a 4th keg. Ticked me off...

 

[dcranford]

Definitely appreciate this thread. I was able to blindly (with a modicum of confidence and without being able to see a floor model) buy an Insignia 7 cu ft chest freezer today as a result.
When I got it home, I was able to confirm it will hold (4) ball locks on the floor. Plus room for a 2.5 gallon keg on the hump.
Bought it from Best Buy @ 229.99
Model: NS-CZ70WH0 SKU: 6385046View attachment 755034

Excellent! Ditto for me, and I'm ordering this one from BB today.

 

[franknbeans]

You guys should look into some sort of shock absorbing mat to put in the bottom of these. I put a dime size hole in mine from a full commercial metal bottom keg when I lost my grip on the handle. It only fell maybe 3-4 inches, but the metal is super thin on the inside.

 

[the_oilman]

We need to start a GoFundMe for @thadius856 and lure him back to the thread and his hobby that led to the Greatest Thread in Beer History. Man, I wish he was still creating the layout files. But I do enjoy coming back and re-reading previous posts by all of the threads conbtributors. Great stuff here.

 

[boatbuilder]

Definitely appreciate this thread. I was able to blindly (with a modicum of confidence and without being able to see a floor model) buy an Insignia 7 cu ft chest freezer today as a result.
When I got it home, I was able to confirm it will hold (4) ball locks on the floor. Plus room for a 2.5 gallon keg on the hump.
Bought it from Best Buy @ 229.99
Model: NS-CZ70WH0 SKU: 6385046View attachment 755034

Do you happen to know the exterior dimensions for this one? My magic chef died and I am trying to have it fit in my keezer enclosure.

 

[beerfactory]

Do you happen to know the exterior dimensions for this one? My magic chef died and I am trying to have it fit in my keezer enclosure.

I see it's 20 bucks cheaper now...

• Product Height
  33 1/2 inches
• Product Width
  32 1/10 inches
• Product Depth
  21.7 inches

 

[boatbuilder]

I see it's 20 bucks cheaper now...

• Product Height
  33 1/2 inches
• Product Width
  32 1/10 inches
• Product Depth
  21.7 inches

I was mostly curious about if the width was accurate. My magic chef was 35.5 inches. And my cabinet can only handle that width but I can adjust the height of the colar. Mine could fit the same amount in so I think the insignia is the way for me to go especially they have one Instock local. I'd be stock for the smaller width for extra ventilation for it.

 

[beerfactory]

I was mostly curious about if the width was accurate. My magic chef was 35.5 inches. And my cabinet can only handle that width but I can adjust the height of the colar. Mine could fit the same amount in so I think the insignia is the way for me to go especially they have one Instock local. I'd be stock for the smaller width for extra ventilation for it.

It is. I measured this morning before I looked that up

 

[boatbuilder]

It is. I measured this morning before I looked that up

Awesome thanks for that doing that!

I went out and bought the insignia this evening. Other than having to build a new collar to fit my current cabinet, I think it's going to work a lot better.

 

[broadstrokes]

Definitely appreciate this thread. I was able to blindly (with a modicum of confidence and without being able to see a floor model) buy an Insignia 7 cu ft chest freezer today as a result.
When I got it home, I was able to confirm it will hold (4) ball locks on the floor. Plus room for a 2.5 gallon keg on the hump.
Bought it from Best Buy @ 229.99
Model: NS-CZ70WH0 SKU: 6385046

Would you be so kind as to share the internal dimensions? Height (to inner lip), Hump height, width, depth

Trying to pick between this Insignia ( NS-CZ70WH0) and the Frigidaire ( FFCS0722AW). Unfortunately, none of the stores in my area have floor models, though half will lie about it over the phone to get you onsite lol.