Do I have to defrost it by hand?

Yes. It is a manual defrost freezer, so ice builds up over time and you empty it and defrost it periodically. That is the trade-off for steadier temperatures and less food drying than a frost-free model.

Can the door be switched to open from the other side?

Yes. The door is rehingable, so it can be set to open from the left instead of the right. It ships with the door opening to the right.

What does the open-door warning do?

It alerts you when the door is left open, which helps limit frost buildup and food thawing. It is a warning only, not an automatic closer.

No. It uses manual defrost rather than a frost-free cycle. Expect to defrost it a few times a year depending on humidity and how often the door is opened.

It is freestanding, so it needs clear space around it and should not be built into cabinetry. It suits a kitchen, utility room or garage with a level floor and a nearby outlet.

How does it compare with a chest freezer?

An upright takes less floor space and lets you reach items without digging, but a chest freezer holds cold air better during outages. This model adds an open-door warning to offset that.