To be honest, I used to think that all freezers were the same. Then there was the big “Thanksgiving incident” in 2019. I spent twenty minutes digging through layers of frost in my chest freezer looking for a bag of frozen peas. I found a turkey I had bought in 2017 at the bottom. It looked like it was from the past. That was the day I figured out that my storage wasn’t working. It wasn’t just about the cold air; it was about staying sane. I changed the way I cooked when I got an Upright Whirlpool Freezers.
I wasn’t just putting food away anymore; I was organizing my life. I could really see what I had. No more mystery meats or old food that you forgot about that turn into science projects. After trying out a few different models and helping friends upgrade their kitchens, I’ve found that upright Whirlpool freezers always hit that sweet spot between being reliable, easy to organize, and not sounding like a jet engine in your garage. You’re in the right place if you’re sick of the frozen food avalanches.
Table of Contents
The Great Debate: Upright vs. Chest Freezers
Before we get into the details of the models, let’s talk about the big issue. Why stand up when chest freezers are often cheaper?
I’ve had both, and here’s what I think. If you need to store a whole cow or buy fifty pizzas at once, chest freezers are great. During power outages, they keep the cold in very well. But—and this is a big but—they are black holes. You put things in, and if you’re not very careful with spreadsheets, you forget about them until you defrost the unit three years later.
Upright Whirlpool Freezers, on the other hand, work like your refrigerator. You have drawers, shelves, and door bins. You open the door, look through your stuff, and take what you need without bending over or moving six other things. An upright model is usually the best choice for a busy home cook who wants to prepare meals ahead of time or keep weekly staples close at hand.
So, why choose Upright Whirlpool Freezers?
From what I’ve seen, Whirlpool doesn’t try to be too fancy. They don’t want to sell you a freezer that tweets and has a touchscreen. They pay attention to insulation, keeping the temperature stable, and strong shelving. They are the “workhorse” of the appliance world because they show up, do their job, and don’t complain.
Top 3 Upright Whirlpool Freezers: My Honest Reviews
I’ve broken down three of the most popular models based on what you need in your kitchen. These should work for you whether you have a big family or just need some extra space.
1. The “Batch-Cooker’s Dream”: Whirlpool 16 cu. ft. Upright Freezer with Frost-Free Defrost
The Verdict: Best All-Rounder for Families
This model is probably right for you if you like to spend Sunday afternoons making chili for the next month. It is right in the middle of the size range—not huge, but not small either.
The Real-World Experience:
Last year, I helped my sister set this up in her utility room. The first thing that caught our eye was the Frost-Free Defrost. You know how important this is if you’ve ever spent a Saturday with a hair dryer and a towel trying to melt ice off a manual defrost freezer. This Whirlpool model makes sure that the air moves around correctly, so your boxes don’t get that nasty ice build-up.
This is where the shelving shines. You can change its size, which sounds boring until you try to fit a big turkey or a tall cake inside. We were able to move the shelves in seconds. The LED lights are also surprisingly bright, so you won’t have to use your phone’s flashlight to find the last tub of ice cream.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No scraping ice: The feature that keeps frost off works great. | Door seal is strong: You might need both hands to pull it open, but that keeps the cold in!. |
| Bright interior: You can see everything, even the back. | Slight hum: There is noise, but it’s not too loud. |
| Fast Freeze: Quickly lowers the temperature to keep things fresh. | Wire shelves: If you don’t bag them, small things can sometimes get through gaps. |
2. The “Space Saver”: Whirlpool 10 cu. ft. Upright Freezer
The Verdict: Best for Apartments and Small Kitchens
Not everyone has a big garage or a basement. This small model is a lifesaver if you have a small space to work with, like a small flat or a crowded pantry.
The Real-World Experience:
I used a model that was about the same size when I lived in a smaller townhouse. I thought it wouldn’t be able to hold enough, but I was wrong. It’s not true. You make good use of the vertical space because it is upright. I was able to fit two weeks’ worth of family dinners and smoothie ingredients in here with room to spare.
The temperature control is mechanical and is inside. It’s easy to use, feels good, and is less likely to break than digital panels. One thing to keep in mind is that this model often needs to be defrosted by hand, depending on the SKU year. So you may need to set aside a day or two a year to do it. To be honest, I was willing to make that trade-off for the price and size.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Footprint:Easily fits into tight spaces. | Manual Defrost: You will need to thaw it out from time to time. |
| Running costs: Uses less energy than the big ones most of the time. | No door alarm: It won’t beep at you if you leave it cracked open. |
| Simple controls: Put it down and forget about it. | Fixed shelving: Not as much room for things that are shaped weirdly. |
3. The “Stockpile King”: Whirlpool 20 cu. ft. Upright Freezer
The Verdict: Best for Large Families & Bulk Buyers
This is the monster. If you have three hungry teens or run a small catering business from home, this is the place for you.
The Real-World Experience:
My neighbor, who has four kids and hunts, says this unit is the best. I went to see it, and the amount of noise is impressive. You could lose a little kid in there (please don’t).
The Temperature Alarm is what stands out. If you have hundreds of pounds of meat stored, it’s very important to know if the temperature goes up. It also has a “Fast Freeze” option, which is great when you get home and find that the groceries in your car have started to thaw a little. You push the button, the temperature drops, and everything freezes quickly to keep its texture.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Capacity: It can hold a lot of food. | Size: Before you buy, measure your doorways! It’s huge. |
| Safety: Alarm lets you know about temperature problems right away. | Price: It’s something you can buy and keep. |
| Pizza Pocket: Space on the door just for pizza boxes (genius). | Height: The top shelf is a stretch if you’re short. |
Upright Whirlpool Freezers Buying Guide: What Actually Matters?
The specs can start to get blurry when you scroll through product pages. Based on how people really use their kitchens, here is what you need to pay attention to.
1. Size & Capacity (The “Doorway Test”)
Before you look at the features, measure the space where it will go. After that, measure the doors it needs to go through to get there. When a delivery driver shakes his head because your new freezer won’t fit through the back door, it’s the saddest thing in the world.
- Small (5-9 cu. ft.): Great for couples or overflow.
- Medium (10-16 cu. ft.): The sweet spot for families of 3-4.
- Large (17+ cu. ft.): For bulk buyers and large broods.
2. Frost-Free vs. Manual Defrost
This is the big one.
- Manual defrost: usually cheaper to buy and run (because it doesn’t have a heater that turns on and off). You do, however, have to empty it and melt the ice once a year.
- Frost-Free: costs a little more, but you never have to thaw it out. Your food also tends to stay free of “snow,” so the labels are still easy to read. Frost-Free is worth the extra money for most people.
3. Garage Ready?
If you want to put this in a garage that isn’t insulated, make sure the model is “Garage Ready.” If the temperature outside drops below freezing, standard freezers may have trouble. Ironically, the compressor might turn off, which would cause your food to thaw. Whirlpool has special technology that lets it deal with changing outside temperatures.
4. Shelving Flexibility
Find shelves that can move. You might not need it today, but when you have a 15-pound turkey next Christmas, you’ll be glad you did.
Maintenance & Care: Keeping It Running
Whirlpool freezers are sturdy, but a little love goes a long way.
- The Coil Clean: Once a year, take the freezer out and vacuum the coils at the back or bottom. Dust is like a blanket that makes the compressor work harder and get hotter. If the coil is clean, your electricity bills will be lower.
- The Seal Check: To see if your door seal is tight, close the door on a piece of paper or a £5 note. Your seal is loose if you can easily pull it out without any trouble. Cold air is getting out. You may need to wash the gasket with warm, soapy water or get a new one.
- The Defrost Strategy (For Models You Have to Do Yourself): Never use a knife to break up ice! I learned this the hard way when I punctured the lining of a mini-fridge in college. To speed up the melting process, use plastic scrapers or bowls of hot water.
Conclusion:
Getting an Upright Whirlpool Freezers is one of those “adulting” things that makes you feel good about yourself. It helps you save money on food waste, lets you buy in bulk when things are on sale, and makes planning meals a million times easier.
Whirlpool is still a good choice because they stick to the basics: keeping food frozen well without making the controls too complicated. You can get a small 10 cu. ft. one for your apartment or a huge 20 cu. ft. one for your garage. Either way, you’re getting a machine that will last.
Just remember to measure your doors, pick frost-free if you want to save time, and enjoy the fact that you’ll never lose a turkey at the bottom of a frozen abyss again.
FAQs:
u003cstrongu003eDoes Whirlpool make upright freezers?u003c/strongu003e
Yes, Whirlpool makes a lot of different upright freezers. They make small ones that are 10 cubic feet and good for apartments, as well as big ones that are 20 cubic feet or more and don’t need frost to keep food fresh.
u003cstrongu003eWhat is the disadvantage of an upright freezer?u003c/strongu003e
The main problem with upright freezers is that they use a little more energy than chest freezers because cold air escapes every time you open the door. They also tend to cost a little more at first than chest models of the same size.
u003cstrongu003eHow long should a Whirlpool freezer last?u003c/strongu003e
If you take care of it properly, like by cleaning the coils and making sure the door seal stays tight, a Whirlpool upright freezer should last between 12 and 20 years.
u003cstrongu003eIs the Whirlpool 15.7 upright freezer any good?u003c/strongu003e
People often say that the Whirlpool 15.7 cu. ft. model is the u0022Goldilocksu0022 choice because it’s not too big or too small. It usually has frost-free technology and shelves that can be moved around, which makes it great for families who need to keep things organized without taking up a lot of space.