FreezersCompact Upright
Criterion CUF63P1W Freezer Manual
Setup, everyday use, maintenance and troubleshooting for the 6.3 cu. ft. compact upright freezer, with verified specifications.
- Capacity6.3 cu. ft.
- DefrostManual
- Energy use289 kWh/yr
- Est. yearly cost$49.13
About the Criterion CUF63P1W
The Criterion CUF63P1W is a 6.3 cu. ft. compact upright freezer certified under the ENERGY STAR program. As a rough guide, each cubic foot holds about 35 lb of packaged frozen food, so a full load is on the order of 220 lb.
As an upright design, it stores food on shelves and in door bins, which makes it easier to see and rotate stock than in a chest freezer. It uses manual defrost, so frost builds up slowly and must be melted off periodically; in return, manual-defrost freezers hold a steadier temperature and use less energy.
Rated energy consumption is 289 kWh per year, 10% below the U.S. federal maximum for its product class. That is better than 40% of the 122 compact upright freezers in our database.
Specifications
| Brand | Criterion |
|---|---|
| Model number | CUF63P1W |
| Configuration | Compact Upright |
| Total capacity | 6.3 cu. ft. |
| Adjusted volume | 11.1 cu. ft. |
| Defrost type | Manual |
| Automatic ice maker | No |
| Through-the-door dispenser | No |
| Built-in installation | No |
| Compact size class | Yes |
| Annual energy use | 289 kWh/yr |
| U.S. federal standard | 322 kWh/yr |
| Better than federal standard | 10% |
| Smart / connected features | No |
| DOE product class | 16 - Compact upright freezers with manual defrost |
| ENERGY STAR Most Efficient | No |
Safety information
- Plug the freezer into a grounded 115 V / 60 Hz outlet. Do not use an extension cord or adapter plug.
- If local code requires GFCI protection where the freezer is installed (garages, basements, outdoors), check the freezer regularly or add a remote temperature alarm: a tripped GFCI shuts the freezer off without any warning.
- Unplug the unit before defrosting, cleaning or replacing a light bulb.
- Never chip or scrape ice with knives, screwdrivers or other sharp tools; puncturing the refrigerant tubing ruins the sealed system.
- Do not use heat guns, hair dryers or open flames to speed up defrosting.
- Do not let children hang on the door or climb on shelves and drawers.
- Before disposing of a freezer, remove the door or lid so a child cannot become trapped inside.
Installation and first-time setup
Leave a few inches of space at the sides, top and rear so the condenser can shed heat, and confirm that the door can swing open far enough to remove shelves and baskets.
- Choose the location
Pick a level, dry floor away from ovens, heating vents and direct sunlight. Unless the manual specifically rates the model for garage or unheated use, install it where the room temperature stays within the range listed in the manual; very cold rooms can stop the compressor from cycling properly, and very hot rooms make it run constantly.
- Unpack and inspect
Remove tape, foam blocks and packing from the cabinet and around the compressor at the rear or bottom. Check the gasket around the door for damage from shipping.
- Let it stand
If the freezer was transported on its side or back, stand it in its normal position for at least four hours (overnight is better) before plugging it in so compressor oil can drain back.
- Level the cabinet
Adjust the leveling legs so the cabinet is level side to side and tilted very slightly backward, which helps the door close and seal on its own.
- Cool down before loading
Plug in the unit and set the control to its normal position. Wait until the cabinet reaches 0 °F (−18 °C) — allow at least 4 hours — before adding food.
Using your freezer
Setting the temperature
Keep the freezer at 0 °F (−18 °C) or colder. At that temperature bacteria cannot grow and food quality holds for months. Check with an appliance thermometer placed between packages, wait 24 hours after any adjustment, and change the control one step at a time.
Freezing fresh food
Add no more than about 2–3 lb of unfrozen food per cubic foot of capacity in any 24-hour period, so the freezer can bring it down to temperature quickly. For this 6.3 cu. ft. model, that is roughly 13–19 lb at a time. Spread new packages out in a single layer against the walls or shelves until frozen, then stack them.
- Use moisture-proof freezer bags, wrap or rigid containers and press out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
- Label every package with the contents and date, and use older items first.
- Cool hot food in the refrigerator before freezing it; do not put steaming pots straight into the freezer.
- A full freezer holds its temperature better than an empty one. If it is mostly empty, fill spare space with containers of water.
Organizing an upright freezer
Keep long-term items on the interior shelves, where the temperature is most stable, and use the door bins for things you use often, such as ice packs, butter or bread — the door is the warmest part of the cabinet.
Manual defrost
Because this model uses manual defrost, frost gradually builds up on the interior walls. Defrost whenever it reaches about 1/4 in. (6 mm) thick — heavier frost insulates the cooling surfaces, raises energy use and takes up storage space. See Care and maintenance for the procedure.
During a power outage
Keep the door closed. A full freezer generally keeps food frozen for about 48 hours, a half-full one for about 24 hours. Food that still has ice crystals or reads 40 °F (4 °C) or below can be safely refrozen, though quality may suffer.
Care and maintenance
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Every month | Check the thermometer reading (0 °F / −18 °C) and wipe spills from shelves, baskets and the gasket. |
| Every 3 months | Inspect the door gasket: close it on a strip of paper — if the paper slides out easily, clean the gasket with warm soapy water or have it replaced. |
| Every 6–12 months | Unplug the unit and vacuum any exposed condenser coils at the rear or behind the toe grille, plus dust around ventilation openings. (Models with condensers built into the cabinet walls have no coil to clean.) |
| When frost reaches 1/4 in. | Unplug the freezer, move food into coolers, and leave the door open with towels or a shallow pan underneath. Let frost melt naturally, wipe the interior dry, then restart and let it cool before reloading. |
| Before a long absence | Remove food, unplug, clean and dry the interior, and prop the door open to prevent odor and mold. |
Troubleshooting
Most freezer problems can be solved without a service call. Work through the checks below, and consult the indicator or code table in your manufacturer's manual if the display shows a code.
| Problem | Possible cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer does not run at all | Unplugged; tripped breaker or GFCI; control turned off. | Check the plug, reset the breaker or GFCI, and make sure the control is not in the off position. |
| Food is soft or temperature above 0 °F | Control set too warm; door or lid not sealing; too much fresh food added at once; dirty condenser. | Turn the control one step colder and wait 24 h; check the gasket; add smaller batches; clean coils and ventilation openings. |
| Runs all the time | Recently loaded or just installed; hot room; poor ventilation; frequent openings. | Allow 24 h after loading; improve airflow around the cabinet; keep openings short. Long run times on efficient compressors are normal. |
| Heavy frost on interior walls | Normal for manual defrost; accelerated by humid air, frequent openings or a leaking gasket. | Defrost at 1/4 in. of frost; check the gasket and keep openings brief. |
| Outside of the cabinet feels warm | Heat being released by the condenser, often through the cabinet walls. | This is normal. Make sure the specified clearances around the cabinet are maintained. |
| Water on the floor | Defrost drain blocked; drain pan out of place; loose water-supply fitting. | Clear the drain, reseat the pan and tighten any fittings. |
| Clicking, gurgling or humming | Normal compressor, refrigerant flow and fan sounds. | No action needed. Loud rattling usually means the cabinet is not level or something is touching the rear tubing. |
Energy use and running costs
The Criterion CUF63P1W is rated at 289 kWh per year under the U.S. Department of Energy test procedure. At an average electricity price of $0.17 per kWh, that is about $49.13 per year, or roughly $4.09 per month.
The federal maximum for this product class is 322 kWh/yr, so this model uses 33 kWh less per year — about $5.61 a year, or $56.10 over ten years of use.
Spread over its 6.3 cu. ft. of storage, the rating works out to about 45.9 kWh per cubic foot per year. Larger freezers usually use more energy in total but less per cubic foot, so buy the size you will actually keep full.
Real-world consumption depends on room temperature, how often the door is opened, how full the freezer is, and how much frost is allowed to build up.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capacity of the Criterion CUF63P1W?
The Criterion CUF63P1W has a total capacity of 6.3 cubic feet (adjusted volume 11.1 cu. ft., a weighted figure used for the federal energy calculation). At roughly 35 lb of frozen food per cubic foot, it holds on the order of 220 lb when full.
How much electricity does the Criterion CUF63P1W use?
It is rated at 289 kWh per year, which costs about $49.13 a year at $0.17/kWh. That is 10% less than the federal standard for its class.
Is the Criterion CUF63P1W frost-free?
No. It uses manual defrost, so you will need to defrost it when frost reaches about 1/4 in. thick. Manual-defrost freezers typically use less energy and keep a more even temperature.
Does the Criterion CUF63P1W have an ice maker?
No. The certified configuration does not include an automatic ice maker.
What temperature should I set my Criterion freezer to?
Set it so the interior stays at 0 °F (−18 °C) or colder, measured with an appliance thermometer between packages. Wait 24 hours after any change before checking again.
Is the Criterion CUF63P1W ENERGY STAR certified?
Yes. It appears on the ENERGY STAR certified freezers list, with a certification date of May 2026.
Sources and disclaimer
Specifications on this page come from the ENERGY STAR certified freezers dataset published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (record certified May 17, 2026), retrieved October 7, 2026.
The setup, operating, maintenance and troubleshooting guidance is written by ManualHarbor's editors for this specific product type and configuration. It is an independent guide — not a reproduction of the manufacturer's manual — and ManualHarbor is not affiliated with Criterion. Always follow the safety instructions, installation requirements and warranty terms supplied with your unit, and contact Criterion or an authorized service provider for warranty repairs and replacement parts.
Running-cost figures use assumed U.S. average utility prices and are estimates for comparison only. See our editorial methodology for details.
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