Can you put a fridge 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 do I keep my garage fridge working in the winter?

If your garage temperature dips below freezing, the thermostat inside the garage refrigerator's freezer may think it's cold enough and shut off. To work around this issue, you need to heat the air around the thermostat. One way is to install a heating coil around the thermostat.

Is it hard on a refrigerator to be in the 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.

Can regular refrigerators be used in garage?

Unless you live in a climate with consistent year-round temperatures and they fall within the manufacturer-recommended range of temperatures for running the appliance, using a regular fridge in the garage is a bad idea.

What kind of refrigerator can I put in my garage?

How to Make a Freezer Work in an Unheated Garage Refrigerator

Should I unplug my garage refrigerator in the winter?

By unplugging the appliances for the winter not only will you reduce your risk of fire in the garage but you're likely to save a couple bucks while you're at it.

Will a fridge freezer work in a cold garage?

Whilst ever the thermostat for the fridge remains off the compressor will stop running and the freezer will eventually start to warm up, at least to roughly the ambient temperature of the garage, which although cold, is not cold enough for frozen food.

Does cold weather affect refrigerator?

Winter weather can trick the compressor into thinking it doesn't need to activate in order to cool (or heat) the contents of the fridge. This confusion doesn't cause damage to your fridge; however, it does result in spoiled food and beverages.

How do I know if my refrigerator is garage ready?

Not every make and model is the same, so don't simply trust the manufacturer's marketing that says its refrigerator is suitable for garage use (they all say that anyway). Instead, check the “installation” section inside the owner's manual to find out the recommended room temperature for the fridge to work properly.

Can a freezer be kept in an unheated garage?

Changes in temperature in an unheated garage can be hard on these appliances. "You need to make sure that the unit is not exposed to temperatures above 110° F or below 0° F, because that may damage the freezer," says Larry Ciufo, who oversees the ratings for Consumer Reports' freezer tests.

What is garage ready refrigerator mean?

A refrigerator that is "Garage Ready" essentially has a small heater that tricks the thermostat in the fridge into running your compressor so that your freezer keeps your freezer items frozen. Hope this helps! Jennifer.

Will a freezer work outside in the winter?

In areas where there is extreme heat, ensure the freezer will have adequate protection from the sun. Moderate climates are ideal for outdoor placement, although you will likely pay more in energy costs during the summer months and less in the winter.

Is it OK to store appliances in garage?

Firstly, we do not recommend that you store your appliances in your garage (or the garage of a friend or family member). The appliances can easily be damaged in a garage (by moving / parking cars, kids, tools falling, etc.), and most garages are not climate controlled.

How do I winterize my outdoor refrigerator?

To winterize the outdoor refrigerator, turn off the appliance and unplug it. Clean the inside thoroughly with soap and water. You might want to avoid using an outside refrigerator cover, which could only allow moisture to accumulate and damage the appliance.

How cold can a refrigerator get outside?

Construction – A typical refrigerator is engineered to operate in conditions ranging from 55 to 80 degrees and loses its effectiveness outside these parameters.

Can you store an unplugged fridge in an unheated garage?

Yes! You can certainly store a mini-fridge in an unheated garage.

Can you leave a refrigerator unplugged for a year?

To Wrap It All Up

From what we found, you can typically leave a fridge unplugged for up to four hours with food inside. If there isn't food present, you are safe to unplug your fridge for months, even years.

Does it harm a refrigerator to leave it unplugged?

Therefore, you should wait for at least 5 to 15 minutes before turning on the refrigerator again. However, leaving your refrigerator unplugged for a longer time will not cause any damage.

What shouldn't you store in garage?

What should you not put in your garage?

Can refrigerators be kept outside?

The answer is yes, you can put your refrigerator outside. Technically speaking, all refrigerators are air conditioners. They use a compressor to turn the heat in the inside of the fridge into the cold air and push it out through vents on the back and front of the unit.

How do I protect my freezer in my garage?

Keep those cooling coils cool by setting up a fan. Either a standalone fan or ceiling fan should help a bit—just ensure the back and sides of the freezer are getting air from the fan. Too cold? You may need to warm up the air around your freezer's thermostat when the garage temperature gets too cold.

Do you need a special freezer for the garage?

You should get a garage ready freezer if you want an extra place to store frozen food without worrying about fluctuating temperatures. The common industry range for garage ready freezers is 0-110°F, meaning that it can handle the varying temperatures typically found in a garage without malfunctioning.

What kind of freezer is best for garage?

If you have room in the garage or laundry room, an upright freezer or chest freezer is ideal.

Are garage rated freezers worth it?

If you want to store fresh food for a long time, then yes! A garage-ready freezer is right for you. Having the ability to store a ton of food for the future is always a good thing. A garage freezer is great for your home because it can keep your goods frozen even if the temperature of your garage changes.