Freezer location

I need an extra freezer for meat and fish storage.

Do any of you keep freezer outside (under canopy or rear yard patio shade)?

My isssue is we have lots of bears etc up here and would they get into a freezer ?

Our trash have bear proof locks etc . Keeping in garage is not an option, already have fridge and cars and bikes in there

 

Yes one must be careful Bears have gotten so much better at opening freezers

They have Come to understand in some places that the Big White Box means a easier meal

I had a neighbor that keep a freezer or two outside you would have thought there was a flashing sign Free Buffet for Bears

He thought it was cute The Game Commission hauled and tagged at least 35 different bears .

I saw so many they became routine

I live on the side of a Mountain

 

Thank you very much

I am still debating if I can get freezer locks

 

a lot of freezers come with locks. although im sure a bear can pry it open from a corner.

 

Thanks

Didn't know that

 

at least on our larger ones they do. its basically a simple cabinet lock on the front center of the lid. its enough to keep raccoons and squirrels and the neighborhood kids out, but i doubt a hungry bear would give up easily!

 

I know a couple people who fried the compressors on their outside freezers... the regular Home Depot type freezer is designed to be operated at house temps. If it get's too cold outside, the compressor may seize.

 

Lowest temps we see outside would be 48F

 

Might be fine then, probably. I don't know much about it, just something I heard a couple times. Something to be aware of.

 

Appreciate it

 

agreed, animals come to learn where the easiest meal is. Although they start coming for an easy meal, you have an easy month of meat. Should you choose that route.

All in all, I wouldn't risk it. If they are that close, then there are other worries than if they'll get in the freezer...

 

Need to figure out where to store the meat. This is beginning to be a pain

 

build a little shed or cage that locks in order to keep the animals out? 2x4s and chicken wire?

 

That is what I have thought of. Building a wooden shed. However, it likely will get rodents etc (due to the area). At least they won't get in the fridge.

 

what are your options outside? Would it be in directly open line of sight or is there a building you could hide it in? I've seen many just out on the porch but they don't last long in the elements. Since your temp will stay 45+ that shouldn't be an issue. I would think as long as you can keep the smell down and it somewhat hidden, they will leave it alone.

Don't quote me, we don't have a bear problem in my area. They don't bother us, we don't bother them.

 

I have a porch, but that is in open view. It is covered on top, so elements wouldn't be an issue, but temperature fluctuation certainly will be. I don't see smell being an issue, as I never am able to smell any food that is inside a freezer, from the outside, however, animals likely have a much better smell than myself.

I do have room to build a shed as @jpneely suggested above, just didn't want to do that much work yet, but that might be the only remaining option.

 

yup! as long as the meats safe, let the little rodents be assholes. if you don't give them cover in the area, they may not move in.

 

My rule of thumb is flies, if they are hovering around then something has an aroma. Anything to do with meat/blood has a smell to it, unless it's vacuum sealed and froze prior to putting it in there. That being said, the stale air inside a freezer will have a smell to it regardless.

 

Ah i see. No flies that I see around. So i think for now, meat is good