[Mac'N'Roe]

So, in researching for raw, I guess I should get a freezer for storage. What size is good for just the dogs? I wouldn't really use it for anything else. I have a greenhouse with electric wired out there. There are power strips...can I run a freezer on that hook up? Also, I don't want a HUGE one, but I want to get one big enough to hand cases of food.

briteday talks about breaking up food when purchased into daily portions and then freezing, not sure if she (sorry, she or he?) uses a chest freezer or not.

Any advice????

[RawFedDogs]

Originally Posted by Mac'N'Roe

So, in researching for raw, I guess I should get a freezer for storage. What size is good for just the dogs?

You can't get one too big. I bought 180lbs of raw meat today. I have a pretty large upright. I also have a small upright in the garage. Both are for the dogs.

I have a greenhouse with electric wired out there. There are power strips...can I run a freezer on that hook up?

I don't think i would run a freezer on a power strip. You should make sure you have enough power in the greenhouse to run the freezer plus the other stuff out there.

briteday talks about breaking up food when purchased into daily portions and then freezing, not sure if she (sorry, she or he?) uses a chest freezer or not.

I do the same thing. I got the whole 180lbs in zip locks now.

BTW: I bought the raw food in bulk at my normal grocery store. I paid $130 for it. Thats an average of $.72/lb for the whole works. Chicken backs, chicken drumsticks, chicken quarters, turkey necks, and beef heart. All this stuff plus whatever free stuff I can pick up on freecycle will last me a couple of months. I MAY buy two or three pork roasts if they go on sale. Thats it for 2 months for 2 Great Danes and 2 cats.

[Mac'N'Roe]

I'll go out there and look at the set up. Honestly, I don't really use it. The previous rentor used the shed for his workshop and powered his equipment out there (his was a carpenter). I don't really use the space that much and don't run anything. The only thing I would power there would be the freezer. I have a bomb shelter too .

[briteday]

I have 3 small (avg 10 pound) dogs and a cat. One month's worth of food takes up about two shelves in a full sized upright freezer. So I would imagine if you are feeding large dogs and buying cases then you are looking at utilizing most of an upright freezer, unless you can buy cases weekly, depending on your resources. Then you might be able to get away with a smaller chest freezer.

[Mac'N'Roe]

Originally Posted by RawFedDogs

I don't think i would run a freezer on a power strip. You should make sure you have enough power in the greenhouse to run the freezer plus the other stuff out there.

It looks like there are several outlets that have been installed in the greenhouse. There is a wire from the house to the greenhouse and there are like 4 outlets (standard outlets) out there. Do you think I can use those? Should I take a picture?

I'm assuming a freezer just runs out of a standard outlet in the home, I assume it would be the same. There is an empty outlet..and I don't really run much out there. Well, nothing really. There are lights, a fan, that's basically it. But I don't really use it.

[RawFedDogs]

I'm not an electrician so a picture wouldn't do any good. A lot depends on the size wire from the house to the greenhouse and the amperage of the breaker in the house but it sounds like it would be ok. I have a freezer in the garage and it runs off a standard outlet. I have a heavy duty wire from the house to the garage (the same size wire as from the electric pole to the house). I also have a seperate breaker box in the garage. However, I think you will be ok. If you have a knowledgable friend, ask them. Otherwise, plug it in and see what happens.

[jesirose]

Wouldn't putting a freezer (cold) in a greenhouse (hot) make the food simply cool?

I have a 5 cu feet chest freezer I got on CL for $80. The next day a 10ft one popped up for $99. *headdesk*. It works though. It fits way more than I thought it would, especially when you portion things into bags. I wash and reuse my bags so I don't feel bad about using so many.

[Ginny01OT]

I have a chest freezer I bought as well and popped it in the basement--it is large enough for all the raw plus my turkey around Thanksgiving or the extra tray of ziti for that family party