How do I make my garage fridge work in the winter?

Fridge Heaters 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 in a cold garage?

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. The thermostat is within the fridge compartment, rather than the freezer.

Can you keep a freezer in an unheated garage in the winter?

Changes in temperature in an unheated garage can be a problem. “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.

Can you run a refrigerator 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 put a fridge freezer in a 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.

What is a garage ready freezer?

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.

Can a freezer be outside in winter?

While some freezers are designed strictly for use indoors, many are engineered to withstand the temperature fluctuations and more extreme conditions found outdoors. Those living near the coast should avoid leaving a chest freezer outside due to the likelihood of corrosion from the salty air.

Will refrigerator work in 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.

Why is my garage refrigerator freezing up?

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 the best temperature for a freezer in the garage?

The recommended temperature for food storage is zero degrees Fahrenheit. This is important to know before discussing how well freezers work in the garage. When the ambient temperature in the garage drops along with the colder weather outside, it may seem reasonable to think it is helping the freezer out. But it is not.

How do I keep my garage refrigerator running in the winter?

Here are a few ways to keep your garage refrigerator running this winter. 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.

How to keep a refrigerator from freezing up?

Put a lamp in the lower part of the refrigerator. The thermostat is in there and controls the compressor. Cold air is diverted at a constant volume to the freezer so you must make the unit run based on refrigerator section temperature. If all works well, the lamp will both prevent the refrigerator section from freezing and keep the freezer cold.