Advice on shutting off a freezer for a year

[Prosopium]

Does anyone know if there are special things to do before shutting down a large upright freezer for a year or more? I mean, besides, "empty it"... and maybe wipe it out real well.
Should I prop the door open? Or lock it shut? When it comes time to restart, is there anything to do then to make sure it will work well?

Appreciate any ideas...

[ajfishfinder]

Leave the door ajar and unplug it. If you have 1/2 a dead cow, a bunch of halibut or all kinds of money wrapped in tin-foil, give me a call and I'll come over and take care of it for you.

[baltz526]

i would unplug it,clean it, let it completly dry, through some newspapers in it and lock it up.

[Maddie'sDaddy]

Put a big sock full of coffee grounds in it every so often and it will keep it from smelling musty. I dont think you will have any problems restarting unless it is tipped on its side.

[Bonita]

I've stored mine several times while out of the country... Wash it, dry it, put in a couple of 'fridge packs' of baking soda and leave the door ajar (usually tuck the cord into the door so it doesn't swing shut). That will allow a bit of airflow which minimizes growth of molds and such.
You'll want to wash again before you start using it, and it will smell a little stale probably. But, as long as you keep it upright, shouldn't have any problems.

[Prosopium]

Thanks everyone for the tips.

Unfortunately, the only remaining contents are freezer burned green label herring from a while back (2 opened packages), 3 boxes of Otter Pops for my kids (Costco had a deal going for a while) and about 5 cooked chicken carcasses that I was going to make stock with.

[ajfishfinder]

Dang I was really hoping for some foil wrapped green backs labeled crab bait.

[Keeper]

Wait...you said the magic word...KIDS! Leaving the door ajar with kids of any age is an open invitation to climb in and close the door.

Turn the freezer around so it is against the wall, leaving just enough space for the door to be slightly ajar.

[letsfish]

Kids and freezers are sad story. I remember you use to hear stories of children playing hide and seek in a vacant lots.... little Johnnie discovered a place where he'd never be found...he was right, they didn't find him until it was too late. Do as keeper reccommended... better still, throw a chain and lock around it. You will sleep better!

[Prosopium]

Wow- I never thought about that. Thanks for that warning! I'll opt for closed (and risk some smell) or turn it around. Better safe than REALY REALLY sorry.

Thanks again IFishers.

[Chrome Bumper]

You can have it cracked open and still chained tight enough to keep kids out. Since the new fridges don't latch shut like the old timers there does not to be that great a risk.

[fishbait]

Best thing you can do with kids around is to just remove the door completly. Fool proof systems do not take into account the creativity of fools.