Guide
How Much Freezer Space Do You Need for a Quarter of Beef?
Buying a beef share and wondering where you'll put it?
Freezer Space
Figure 1 cubic foot of freezer space for every 35 pounds of beef you bring home.
| Share | Take-home beef | Freezer space |
|---|---|---|
| Eighth (our 45-lb box) | ~45 lbs | ~1.5 cu ft (it'll fit above your refrigerator) |
| Quarter | ~108 lbs | 5 cu ft (small freezer) |
| Half | ~216 lbs | 7 - 10 cu ft (medium freezer) |
| Whole | ~432 lbs | 14 - 20 cu ft (large freezer) |
Those take-home weights are the freezer beef — about 60% of the hanging weight. Read more about that in this article: Hanging Weight vs. Take-Home Weight.
What fits what
- 5 cu ft chest freezer — handles a quarter easy.
- 7 – 10 cu ft — handles a half, or a quarter plus your regular frozen food.
- 14 - 20 cu ft or bigger — that's what a whole takes.
Don't forget the freezer in your kitchen. Most hold 4 to 6 cubic feet. Our 45-lb eighth box fits in just about any kitchen freezer.
Two suggestions worth considering
Roasts don't pack perfectly square.
To know when to order again keep a list on the lid. Write down what went in — steaks, roasts, ground beef — and cross it off as you use it. Saves a lot of digging.
That's it. If you've got room for a 5 cubic foot freezer, a quarter is no problem.
Still picking a size? Read Quarter, Half, or Whole: Which Beef Share Is Right for Your Family?