Is it bad to keep a refrigerator in the garage?
The temperature is stable and typically you can keep your refrigerator running with no issues. Many, many people, myself included, have a refrigerator in the garage. This works well most of the time, although, I would suggest that if your refrigerator is in the garage, you place it on an interior wall if possible.
What is the best refrigerator for a garage?
Best Overall (Single Door Refrigerators For Garages): BLACK+DECKER BCRK17B; Unique Design (Single Door Refrigerators For Garages): hOmeLabs Mini Fridge; Toolbox Fridge (Single Door Refrigerators For Garages): RFR329-Red Garage Fridge Tool Box; Retro-Style (Single Door Refrigerators For Garages): Galanz GLR25MRDR10; Top Rated (Double Door Refrigerators For Garages): Antarctic Star Compact Mini Refrigerator
Can a freezer be placed in a garage?
You can put a freezer in your garage, but you need to know the temperature range of your garage or buy a garage-ready freezer. A garage without heating and with no exposure to the sun can be far colder than the outside air temperature. A home the has a subsurface garage can have a greater problem, causing a cold sink.
Can I put a new freezer in the garage?
It is okay to put a freezer in the garage if you are certain that it won’t be exposed to extreme temperatures. Exposure to temperatures hotter than 110°F (43°C) and colder than 0°F (-17°C) may get it damaged. In a properly insulated garage, the freezer will not work under these unfavorable conditions.
Do you need a special refrigerator for the garage?
To prevent problems, buy a garage-ready fridge that can function efficiently when it gets bitterly cold and also stiflingly hot in your garage. A refrigerator designed to run in a garage has better insulation and components that can handle temperature changes. This special design does make them a little more expensive.
What kind of refrigerator works in a garage?
Types of Garage Refrigerators Garage-ready refrigerators come in a few different types. Top freezer refrigerators, which include a large bottom refrigerator compartment and a smaller top freezer compartment, rank as the most common. Some models function solely as a refrigerator with no freezer compartment.
Can you keep a refrigerator in the garage in winter?
Having a refrigerator in your garage is a great way to store extra and bulk food. While this can be beneficial, most garage refrigerators stop working at some point during the winter if left unmanaged.
How can I keep my refrigerator working in my garage?
Stock your garage refrigerator with enough items that it isn't just cooling empty air. Every time you open and close the fridge door, the air is sucked out and replaced. The items in the fridge act as natural ice cubes, helping to cool the new air and preventing the fridge from working too hard.
What does garage ready mean when buying a refrigerator?
The ability to handle hot or cold temperatures outside while maintaining an optimal temperature inside makes a freezer garage ready. That means you can store your freezer in a cold or hot garage without worrying about the change in temperatures from 0°F to 110°F.
Can I keep a fridge freezer in the garage?
If your garage is insulated and has climate control, it is absolutely fine to put your freezer in there. You just want to make sure the garage space is dry.
Can you leave a fridge in the garage unplugged?
If your garage gets colder than 35 degrees, it's a good idea to unplug your refrigerator. Doing this can help keep your appliance's water lines from freezing/bursting, which can be expensive to repair.
Does it hurt a refrigerator to freeze?
No, appliances left outside in extreme cold temperatures (below freezing) can create serious problems such as cracking pipes, water pumps, valves and drain lines.
Will refrigerators work in cold weather?
Refrigerators do not work as well in the cold, as they were designed to work in room temperature. Most of the time, the freezer stops working before the fridge section does.
Can you keep a fridge in a hot garage?
If the temperature inside your garage regularly exceeds 110ºF, it is not an ideal location for a refrigerator. Sweltering conditions can cause a refrigerator to burn out from overuse. The appliance will be continually fighting to compensate for the ambient temperature, so it will be working harder for longer.
Does a refrigerator in the garage use more electricity?
A refrigerator in an uninsulated garage will require a lot more energy to run during the hot summer months and may not operate correctly if the temperature gets too cold. 90 degree environment will use 45-50% more energy than one in a 70 degree environment.
Can You Put a Refrigerator in a Hot Garage?
As with excessive cold, high temperatures can also damage a refrigerator. You can keep a refrigerator in a hot garage, but only up to a certain point.
What Are the Ideal Conditions for a Refrigerator in a Garage?
While specifics will vary by brand, most standard refrigerators work best in an area with an ambient temperature between 68° and 71°. It’s a range that allows the fridge to run at maximum efficiency.
Garage Refrigerators vs. Outdoor Refrigerators
The terms “garage refrigerator” and “outdoor refrigerator” each have a specific meaning.
How Much Does it Cost to Run a Refrigerator in the Garage?
The average refrigerator in the garage costs $95 a year to operate, while the average refrigerator in the kitchen costs $84 a year.
Things to Consider When Keeping a Refrigerator in Your Garage
Do refrigerators work well in a garage? They can, but you’ll need to make a few preparations beforehand to ensure efficient and safe operation.
Why is my refrigerator so hard to work?
If you live in an area where the temperatures get close to these upper and lower limits or surpass them, your refrigerator’s components will find it difficult to work efficiently. If, like most households, your garage is always hotter or colder than your living areas,
What to do if your refrigerator is full?
If your refrigerator is full, it won’t have to work so hard to maintain the temperature inside the compartment as there’d be no room for warm air (or chilly air in the winter) to disrupt things . A few gallons of water can do the job if you don’t have enough pantry goods to fill the refrigerator.
Why does my refrigerator compressor cycle on and off?
In winter conditions, the compressor will cycle on and off a lot more frequently as it tries to balance the effect of the chilly ambient weather against the temperature inside the refrigerator. In this scenario, you might find frozen food thawing faster than you’d like.
How to protect refrigerator from dust?
This is why you should ensure that your refrigerator is protected from debris and dust. Clean the area around the refrigerator properly and ensure clean airflow around it. Doing your carpentry work in the garage, for example, can cause sawdust to lodge inside your refrigerator’s exterior components. Additionally, you need to ensure that there are ...
What are the features of an outdoor refrigerator?
Other features of an outdoor refrigerator include anti-corrosion, weatherproofing, and UV protection. The first two features are important if you are keeping your refrigerator in a garage where water can seep in.
Why does my refrigerator compressor run continuously?
In hot weather, the compressor will run continuously as it attempts to keep the compartment at freezing temperatures. This will lead to higher energy consumption and will wear down the refrigerator’s parts quickly. You may also notice that items in the freezer take longer to get frozen, if ever. In winter conditions, the compressor will cycle on ...
Do refrigerators work in garages?
The mechanism in modern refrigerators means that they are very sensitive to temperature changes. A refrigerator in a garage, therefore, will have to work harder than one in the kitchen, for example, if the ambient temperature in the garage starts to veer towards extremes. Generally, most manufacturers will recommend using a refrigerator only in ...
Why do we need an extra refrigerator?
Many “extra” refrigerators are regulated to the basement or garage.
What does it mean when your refrigerator is cold?
Colder temperatures mean that the compressor on your refrigerator will not work as it should . You may find that your freezer will not keep things frozen in the extreme cold of winter. You may also discover that fresh items in the refrigerated section may freeze.
What to do if you only have soda in the freezer?
If you only have soda or a few items in the refrigerated section and a few items in the freezer, it’s probably in your best interest to just empty and unplug it.
Is a second refrigerator an older model?
Typically, a second refrigerator is an older model. These models may not be as energy efficient as newer ones. You may be using more energy then you want to use. The next consideration is placement of the “spare” refrigerator. Basements are great if you do not mind running up and down stairs.
Is it safe to leave a refrigerator unplugged?
Remember though, if you have it unplugged and empty, you need to make it safe for any children that are around you. An empty, unplugged refrigerator can be dangerous to a young child. Your spare refrigerator can be of great benefit to you and your family.
Can I keep my refrigerator running in the garage?
The temperature is stable and typically you can keep your refrigerator running with no issues. Many, many people, myself included, have a refrigerator in the garage. This works well most of the time, although, I would suggest that if your refrigerator is in the garage, you place it on an interior wall if possible.
Does a second refrigerator use more energy?
It provides enough heat to make the freezer run properly and keep things frozen. The bad side to this is that you are using more energy. If your second refrigerator is an older model (as most are) you are already using a higher than recommended amount of energy.
Summer or winter, it takes extra energy
Keeping an old refrigerator running in an uninsulated garage can cost more than it's worth. First, you'll have to heat it in the winter to make the freezer work; then it needs more power in the summer heat. If you have to have it, here's how to make it work.
Required Materials for this Project
Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.
Can You Put a Fridge in the Garage?
You can keep a fridge in the garage, but you should first consider the temperature inside your garage. Understanding how modern refrigerators function can help you decide if your setup is suitable for a garage refrigerator.
What Kind of Fridge Works Best in the Garage?
Some fridges are more suitable to use in garages than others. The primary issue with keeping a fridge in the garage is that the thermostat can become confused if the temperature inside the garage falls outside its acceptable operating temperature range.
Will a Fridge Work in a Cold or Unheated Garage?
Very cold temperatures can interfere with your garage fridge's thermostat. If the temperature in your garage dips below a certain level, the thermostat senses the drop in temperature and may register that the fridge is already cold enough, even if it isn’t.
Should You Unplug a Garage Fridge for the Winter?
If you don't have any food in the fridge, unplugging it during icy weather will save you the trouble of heating the thermostat. However, if you still want to use your fridge for food storage, it's best to leave it plugged in.
Can a Fridge Stay in the Garage During the Summer?
If summers are hot where you live, a fridge in the garage will have to work harder to maintain a cool internal temperature. Humid weather can also cause the fridge coils to rust due to increased moisture.
Do Garage Fridges Last as Long as Indoor Fridges?
A fridge in the garage won't generally last as long as an indoor fridge because it will have to work harder to maintain suitable internal temperatures. However, this is less likely to be an issue if you live in a mild climate without extreme temperature fluctuations. Garage fridges are also at increased risk of problems like rust. YouTube
What temperature should a refrigerator be in the garage?
Refrigerators work best between freezing and 100F. Their optimal operating temperature range is room temperature between 68 and 71F degrees. Putting one in your garage can expose it to temperatures well outside of its normal operating range.
What to do with a garage refrigerator that won't spoil?
Save your garage refrigerator for items that won’t spoil if they go warm like beer or pop/soda. Keep items that spoil quickly in your indoor fridge. If your main goal is more freezer capacity then you might want to consider a chest freezer or upright freezer instead of a spare refrigerator freezer combo.
How does a refrigerator freezer work?
Most refrigerators work by cooling the refrigerator section with air from the freezer compartment.
What to know before putting a second refrigerator out?
Table Of Contents. Keeping a refrigerator in the garage tips. 1 – A refrigerator with a single thermostat won’t work at near freezing temperatures. 2 – Most refrigerators aren’t designed to operate above 100F. 3 – Use a heater in your refrigerator to keep it going in ...
Why do refrigerators need heating coils?
A heating coil can be installed inside the refrigerator to heat the thermostat so it doesn’t shut off in near freezing temperature. A refrigerator designed to operate in very cold temperatures will need to heat the refrigerator section to keep it at ideal refrigeration temperature.
How many thermostats does a refrigerator have?
A refrigerator with 2 thermostats (1 in the refrigerator section and 1 in freezer section) will handle cold outside temperatures better by keeping the freezer running if the freezer air warms above it’s setting. A refrigerator only unit like a mini fridge will only have one thermostat. It will shutoff when it goes below it’s operating temperature ...
Why is it important to keep ice in the freezer?
Ice and water are good at storing heat or cold. Keeping ice in your freezer will allow it to stay cold when it’s really hot in your garage or if your refrigerator turns off which can save your frozen food.
What is a garage ready refrigerator?
Here’s the bottom line: a garage ready refrigerator is just a fridge that has more than one temperature sensor, a wider range of acceptable operating temperatures, or some other feature that will make it popular with garage enthusiasts. That’s it.
How cold is a garage fridge?
The outside temperatures are going to play a big role in how your garage refrigerator works. If they drop to around 20 degrees, the temperature inside your garage is going to be cold enough that the fridge may start to freeze over. To be fair, a combination unit will have these exact same issues.
What is a garage kit?
The garage kit is a small heating element that wraps around the temperature sensor in the fridge and tricks it into thinking the air is warmer than it really is. Thankfully both Frigidaire and Whirlpool sell heating kits for their standalone refrigerators. If you have a Samsung or LG, unfortunately you’re out of luck.
What happens if the temperature is below freezing?
If the outside temperature is cold enough that the fridge isn’t cooling, but it’s above freezing, then anything you have in your freezer is going to spoil. On the flip side, if the temperature falls below freezing and stays there long enough, the food inside your fridge will eventually freeze.
How cold can a refrigerator get?
Most refrigerators are designed to work in a pretty narrow temperature band. Your house never really gets hotter than 80 degrees or colder than 60 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, your garage can go from below freezing to above 100 degrees. We needed a fridge that could work in those extreme temperatures.
How much does a 7 cubic foot freezer cost?
Prices range from $300 for small 7 cubic foot freezers to around $800 for the larger 20 cubic foot varieties. To give you a frame of reference, if you’ve got a side-by-side fridgefreezer in your kitchen, the freezer section is likely around 6 cubic feet in total storage.
Where is the Gladiator refrigerator made?
The Gladiator refrigerator is expensive, no doubt about it. No doubt part of that is because it’s made in the USA (Ohio) and designed to take the abuse of being in your garage. That’s why I called this my ‘splurge’ garage refrigerator.
Bring extra food and drink storage to the garage or workshop with garage-ready refrigerators that protect their contents even in extreme temperatures
BobVila.com and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Garage Refrigerator
While capacity matters when it comes to garage refrigerators, other factors must also figure into this decision, including temperature range, storage options, and energy efficiency. Ahead, learn more about these and other attributes of garage refrigerators.
Our Top Picks
The list below includes some of the best refrigerators for a garage. Each rated for garage use, they range from small 4-cubic-foot mini fridges to full-size 21.9-cubic-foot refrigerator freezers.
Our Verdict
For its ample space, ability to endure extreme temperatures, and versatile storage design, the GE 19.1 Cu. Ft. Top-Freezer Refrigerator is well suited to endure life in a garage. If you’re in the market for something smaller and don’t need the added freezer space, consider the Danby 11.0 Cu. Ft. All Refrigerator.
How We Chose the Best Garage Refrigerators
Several important criteria figured into our list of the best garage refrigerators. First, we only chose “garage-ready” refrigerators that can endure hotter and colder ambient temperatures than a standard refrigerator to ensure they would operate properly year-round. We also considered storage flexibility.
FAQs
If you’re considering adding a refrigerator kit to a standard refrigerator for garage use, or if you’re wondering if it’s OK to put your refrigerator in the garage, then read on for answers.
