Got my first chest freezer two months ago and filled it up with meat, chicken, etc. I noticed a sour odor coming from the freezer the last couple of weeks. During the initial setup, I had to keep turning the thermostat down. I have a thermometer in there and would check every two days and it would be between 5 and 10 degrees. The food I have in there was always frozen solid so I did not give it much thought. But with the smell I am concerned something may have spoiled? Am I screwed and have to throw everything out (couple hundred dollars worth of meat) or is this smell normal for chest freezers loaded with meat?

I don't really know what to say about the smell and the meat in it. If you don't want to get a freezer alarm, or until you do, put three or four ice cubes in a small cup and sit in the freezer. If they are ever melted when you open it you will know the temperature got way to warm at some point, even if they have re-frozen. Good luck.
ETA. One other thought. The smell couldn't be from the freezer being new, and just from sitting closed without being plugged in since it came from the factory could it?

freezers have a catch pan under them that catches the water from bottom and the moisture from the coils as it cools, typically alot of water when going from new to freezing... also they have a auto defroster that catches the water.. take the back panel off, usually theres a white bucket looking thing that catches the water and should be evaporated the heat of your condenser.. somtimes if theres to much water it will sit in there and spoil... check that out


similar to this... lost of times if it doesnt evaporate it all you will find a puddle on the ground where it overflowed also


http://www.appliancehospital.com/~applia17/appliancehospital/index.php/resources/blog/post/60-getting-rid-of-pesky-refrigerator-odors

http://www.appliancehospital.com/~applia17/appliancehospital/index.php/resources/blog/post/60-getting-rid-of-pesky-refrigerator-odors

Get one of these, Worth every penny, I have two freezers, one sensor in each. If you have kids, get a door alarm as well that beeps super loud. Also on amazon.




Digital Wireless Fridge and Freezer Thermometer with Alarm and Max/Min Temperature for Home and Restaurants (00515M) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XD68GX6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_VV8RZG7CXJNC83RSJYA0?_encoding=UTF8&;psc=1

Bought my son a freezer that lasted only a month. You might want to get the thermometer recommended above.

Not chest freezers...

weird the last 2 chest freezers i had had the same things as my current stand up does...

Update: I took everything out of the freezer and it smelled fine. I looked at each piece of meat and all looked OK. I did remember I brought 2 packages of baby backs and one of them had a hole in it when I got home. I decided since it was a small hole to just leave it in the shopping bag and threw it in the freezer as is. I did this since I was going to vacuum seal it once it was frozen. I'm wondering if the blood dripped out a bit of that hole and was enough to cause the smell. I don't see any but that does not mean it isn't there somewhere.

P.S. I think the alarm is a great idea. Heading off to buy one now.