What makes a refrigerator outdoor rated?

An outdoor fridge requires 304-grade stainless steel to be considered weatherproof. This high-grade material resists rust and corrosion caused by inclement weather.

Can a regular refrigerator be used 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.

What makes a fridge outdoor fridge?

An outdoor fridge needs to be 304 food grade stainless-steel or higher in order to resist rust in wet weather conditions or environments. Anything below a 304-food grade will be more susceptible to rain, snow, heat, or debris.

What is the difference between an indoor and outdoor fridge?

There are differences An outdoor refrigerator is designed to better deal with the constant fluctuations in temperature due to the weather, while an indoor refrigerator does not have to work as hard to deal with temperature changes as indoor temperatures tend to stay relatively the same.

What kind of refrigerator can be used outside?

Typical indoor refrigerators aren't designed to withstand the elements and be rust-proof, so they're not safe outside. So ensure the fridge you buy is UL certified for outdoor use and is made of 304-grade stainless steel, so it can deal with rain and large fluctuations in outside temperature.

Refrigerators For Outdoor Kitchens Done cheaply

Can a refrigerator stay outside in the winter?

When in Doubt, Don't Run the Risk. Unless a fridge is kept in the stable conditions of your garage, winter weather runs the risk of damaging its compressor. You can keep your outdoor refrigerator or beverage cooler safely stored in your backyard patio or outdoor kitchen—despite living in rainy and snowy locations.

Can you leave a refrigerator outside in the rain?

Generally, a bit of water on the outside of your appliance shouldn't destroy it; too much water can. So if you notice the weather calls for rain, you should bring your refrigerator inside.

Can you leave a refrigerator outside in the summer?

The fridge is one of the hardest working appliances in your home. Move the refrigerator outside in the summer, and it has to work even harder. That's why you should select a model designed specifically to work in a harsh, hot environment. Outdoor refrigerators are more compact than full-size indoor kitchen units.

Can you put a fridge freezer outside?

Some deep freezers can be placed outside. Specialty freezers designed for outdoor use, such as under-counter outdoor freezers, can be used in many climate conditions outside. Regular deep freezers and chest freezers designed for indoor use, though, should be kept indoors in a conditioned space.

What is the difference between and indoor and outdoor freezer?

Differences. An outdoor refrigerator is designed to better deal with the constant fluctuations in temperature due to the weather; whereas an indoor refrigerator does not have to work as hard to deal with temperature changes, as indoor temperatures tend to stay relatively the same.

Can a fridge be in direct sunlight?

The issue with placing a fridge in a sunlit area though, still remains one of excess power consumption and the increased workload on the unit and all of its parts, which can then cause the unit to fail. This can often render your warranty void, so always keep your fridge away from any direct sunlight.

What does a garage ready refrigerator mean?

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.

Does it hurt a freezer to be outside?

No, chest freezers should not be kept on a porch or patio. Leaving a chest (top) freezer outside can cause problems over time if moisture seeps into the unit or temperature fluctuations occur that could cause damage to the compressor or other parts inside of the appliance.

How long will a fridge last outside?

The average refrigerator will last between four and six hours if left in direct sunlight. If your fridge is in the shade, it can last up to 12 hours. If the temperature outside is over 95 degrees Fahrenheit, your fridge won't last more than one hour.

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.

Why won't my fridge work in the garage?

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.

Will a refrigerator work if it gets wet?

Refrigerators and Freezers

If your refrigerator or freezer was submerged in flood water, it should be replaced. Refrigerators and freezers contain insulation that could be wet if the units were under water. This insulation is difficult to reach without destroying the cabinet of the unit.

Will a refrigerator work in a cold garage?

Refrigerators work by starting to cool whenever the room temperature rises above a set point – typically around 36 degrees – and stays running until the temperature returns to normal. This means that if the temperature in your garage drops and stays below this set temp, your refrigerator stops working.

Can you put a refrigerator in a shed?

A shed or basement that's never colder than 10°C is most likely insulated. In that case, you choose a fridge with a minimum ambient temperature of 10°C. This is a model with the climate class SN, SN-T, or SN-ST.

How do I protect my freezer from outside?

Is it OK to run a freezer 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.

Why are some freezers not suitable for outbuildings?

In a nutshell, freezers work by transferring heat inside the compartment outside. In cold room temperatures, this heat-transfer process can cause condensation on the outside of the freezer.

What is the difference between a garage refrigerator and a regular refrigerator?

A loose marketing term but generally, it is intended to operate at lower and higher ambient temperatures. Normal freezers and refrigerators are usually in a house where the temperatures are fairly stable. Garages can get much hotter and colder. “Garage ready” freezers can operate from maybe 0–100 F.

Will a refrigerator work 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.

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.