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NFT: Putting an extra fridge in the garage

Matt in SGS : 4/27/2016 10:49 am
taking a break from the NFL draft prep, I have been spending the past few weeks clearing crap out of my garage. Part of my goal is to set it up in such a way that, now we are in the spring, have it so the kids and their friends, who will be outside playing, not have to come in the house to get drinks or anything. So I'm looking at a small fridge to stick in the garage and fill with water/gatorade, etc. I've read some concerns that newer fridges don't do well in the temperature changes of a very hot summer and then cold winter. Any experiences from the crew here on what works, or recommendations, etc?
I bought a $100 dollar Haier Mini-Fridge 2 years ago  
guitarguybs12 : 4/27/2016 10:56 am : link
and stuck it in my garage for the same purpose, keeping water, beer and drinks for grabbing in the summer while working outside.

I can only speak from my experience, but it's been through 2 Upstate NY summers and 2 winters now and I've had no issues with it temp wise in hot summers. I also keep beer in it over winter, and haven't had any issues with beer freezing so it's maintaining the set ~38-40 deg F even when it's freezing outside.
Yes  
WideRight : 4/27/2016 10:56 am : link
They breakdown pretty quickly.

Buy the cheapest one you can - its a garage! - and its won't be a big deal to replace.
depending on the age and size of the fridge in your kitchen...  
Mike in St. Louis : 4/27/2016 11:11 am : link
put that one in your garage and buy a new one for the house...I have always done that...St. Louis has very hot/humid summers and cold winters and I've never had a problem with a fridge in the garage...I wouldn't buy a mini one for the garage, that may be why people have problems...
Just don't run it in the winter  
jcn56 : 4/27/2016 11:14 am : link
and you'll be fine. The lifespan will be somewhat reduced given the fact that they'll be running in higher ambient temps, but it's not as bad as reported online. During the winter, if you're not using it, there's no point in running it.
Have had the same fridge in the garage for over 10 years...  
tony stg : 4/27/2016 11:18 am : link
It's in Florida so we don't have the big temp swings like up north but a decade later the fridge is still going strong.

Most fridges only have one thermostat (in the fridge)  
Scyber : 4/27/2016 11:18 am : link
and compressor. Which means it basically makes sure it cools down the fridge to a certain temp and ensures the freezer is a certain amount below that. The problem is when the garage temp is something like 40 degrees. Since this is cold enough for the fridge thermostat, it will shut off the compressor and the freezer will slow raise in temp to 40 degrees. Which is obviously a bad thing.

You can search online and find "garage kits" for a specific fridge model. These are basically heaters that sit around the fridge thermostat to make it think it is warmer then it really is. This ensures that the compressor stays on till the temp really gets low (like below freezing) and the freezer won't thaw. It makes the fridge less energy efficient, but thats better then everything in the freezer thawing.
Have a full sized one for over  
Sec 103 : 4/27/2016 11:49 am : link
two years now after kitchen upgrade. Love it and runs like a deer!!!
^^^^  
Sec 103 : 4/27/2016 11:49 am : link
BTW- runs year round
RE: I bought a $100 dollar Haier Mini-Fridge 2 years ago  
dune69 : 4/27/2016 11:58 am : link
In comment 12923898 guitarguybs12 said:
Quote:
and stuck it in my garage for the same purpose, keeping water, beer and drinks for grabbing in the summer while working outside.

I can only speak from my experience, but it's been through 2 Upstate NY summers and 2 winters now and I've had no issues with it temp wise in hot summers. I also keep beer in it over winter, and haven't had any issues with beer freezing so it's maintaining the set ~38-40 deg F even when it's freezing outside.


I've had one of these for 4 years in the Florida heat. No problems with extreme heat. Can't speak to cold. It is full of cold beer and being on the 9th fairway, comes in handy for the back nine.
I had a $400 kenmore fridge/freezer combo  
Taggart : 4/27/2016 12:08 pm : link
For my garage in NJ. Ran it year round, but would find that the freezer wouldn't keep stuff frozen in the winter. Really pissed me off. Wish i had this thread (and Scyber's knowledge years ago). Never had a problem with the fridge part.
The winter will be the worst  
jlukes : 4/27/2016 12:13 pm : link
if you must do it, make sure it is NOT against an outside wall or it will absolutely stop functioning correctly after a good cold stretch
If it is just a refrigerator  
pjcas18 : 4/27/2016 12:15 pm : link
no freezer that is what I have and in the winter, once the temperature is consistently below 40 at night and pretty much during the day I unplug the refrigerator.

it's mostly my beer fridge (and drinks for the kids) and it works out perfectly. the beer stays perfectly cold as do the drinks. We occasionally add some overflow food, and that stays fine too. One year it did get so cold I wound up with some exploded beer cans, but that is the only inconvenience so far.

My garage is not insulated.

I have a chest freezer in my basement for freezer stuff (and it would be good for s body if I ever needed to stash one, no one ever looks in the chest freezer in the basement).

RE: Have a full sized one for over  
Scyber : 4/27/2016 12:24 pm : link
In comment 12924114 Sec 103 said:
Quote:
Love it and runs like a deer!!!


So it jumps in front of your car when you pull into the garage?
RE: depending on the age and size of the fridge in your kitchen...  
gidiefor : Mod : 4/27/2016 7:05 pm : link
In comment 12923955 Mike in St. Louis said:
Quote:
put that one in your garage and buy a new one for the house...I have always done that...St. Louis has very hot/humid summers and cold winters and I've never had a problem with a fridge in the garage...I wouldn't buy a mini one for the garage, that may be why people have problems...


yeah this is exactly what we did
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