Ohhh the links at the bottom of this guys site are wild and good reading.
Please note I am disputing his science on the efficacy of a vertical fridge.
Please note I am disputing his science on the efficacy of a vertical fridge.
That said, most of the thermal mass in the fridge is the food, and after that probably the shelving, so as long as the seals aren't blown, the turnover of air on opening isn't a huge deal.
The convenience is not as easy to quantify, but I would bet that an experiment would quickly point out that chest fridges are terrible for elderly, children, and anyone with reduced mobility. I'd hypothesise that even able bodied people would get annoyed when they are cooking — I know I would be.