Garage Fridge / Freezer - need more freezer than fridge, does it exist?

[Colin Len]

After our last fridge went out we traded up to a nicer, but slightly smaller model that fit our small kitchen better. We've now started freezing more foods and are more than out of space. Although I swore I'd never put a fridge in the garage (it's small enough already and I didn't want to lose another 4-6sf of space) I've come to the realization that it's probably the best approach. I figure that when I re-do the garage I can hopefully re-organize everything to accommodate one without it hurting too bad.

But here's the rub. We could get by with just a freezer but I'd love to have a spot to keep beer cold and in general we're finding other things we'd like to keep cool. But we need more freezer space than fridge. Ideally, I'd love to have a 60/40 or 50/50 freezer/fridge rather than what is typical. It seems 50/50 units are fairly common in Europe but I can't find any here in the states - at least none that aren't custom/high end type units.

Does anyone know of any units that are equal or have more freezer space than fridge space? At this point the best solution I've come up with is to just get a mini-fridge that I can stack on top of a min-freezer. Functionally that should work but it'd look bad and I would think it'd be bad for efficiency as well.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Your plan was my thought also.

Why would it look bad ? Get the same color or maybe do a vinyl wrap ?

 

[Colin Len]

Your plan was my thought also.

Why would it look bad ? Get the same color or maybe do a vinyl wrap ?

Because it'd be two units stacked on each other. I just think it'll look out of place - it definitely wouldn't be a "good" look. Yes I'd get the same brand/color so they'd match.

My plan when I re-do the garage is to have things look nice, tidy, clean lines... our style is mid-century / modern. I'd like the garage to be a place that's equally at home as a hangout/entertaining area as it is as my workshop (and even currently my home office). I don't want it to look haphazardly thrown together. And two mini-fridges stacked on each other I think would give that look exactly. We also live in earthquake country so if I go that route I'll want to be sure it was very stable. If it falls, it'd be falling onto my car...

Either way, that's only one reason why I don't like the stacking idea. Either way, it's not a 100% deal breaker just far from ideal. Although, may be my only solution unless I compromise and just get a regular style fridge. I'm hoping someone here can shed light on another product or solution.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I get it man and don't blame you. My microwave sits atop the mini fridge in my garage, one white, the other black. It is what it is in my garage.

If you fix the place up, you could build something like a cabinet face so that the only thing you see is the doors of the units.

 

[Colin Len]

I get it man and don't blame you. My microwave sits atop the mini fridge in my garage, one white, the other black. It is what it is in my garage.

If you fix the place up, you could build something like a cabinet face so that the only thing you see is the doors of the units.

Yeah, some sort of cabinet is on the table. I haven't gotten a design plan yet for the garage layout but I have some ideas and integrating the fridge/freezer into some kind of built-in in the corner was one of them. It'd basically be the corner closest to the house and would have the stuff we access often from the house rather than while working in the garage (broom, dust pan, ladders, step stools, fridge, some other misc cleaners and products. But even then, I'd rather not run two units. I may have to put lipstick on a pig but before I do that I want to see if I can avoid the pig altogether.

 

[CarsonConcepts]

Samsung has their FlexZone series of refrigerators. You can set the temp for the mid drawer separate from the fridge/freezer. Don't remember if it can be full frezer temp though. Might be one to look into.

 

[nadogail]

As long as the appliances are white, they should match “close enough”

 

[kj_mustang]

Freezer will run a lot if you pull a hot car in that garage every day in the summer months unless the garage has a/c. I just moved my att. garage freezer to the basement for this reason. A frige will go in its place so maybe it will not run as much.

 

[Voi]

Whirlpool used to make a product that looked like an old school top freezer fridge but the layout was actually reversed. The bottom was a large upright freezer and the top was a convertible fridge/freezer. Convertible meaning you could flick a switch and turn the top to a freezer as well.

They made a standard looking one as well as one for Gladiator that had a diamond plate front and large casters.

I suspect both products have been discontinued as it was probably ten years ago my wife and I were looking at them. We instead purchased a Frigidaire convertible upright fridge. The entire thing is either fridge or freezer. That has been a great product for us. Now operating in fridge mode at our cabin. But doesn't sound like the right product for you.

 

[GeddyT]

If you really need freezer space without sacrificing a lot of garage storage space, how about a chest freezer? The idea would be to buy a relatively small chest freezer, put it in a place that works, then build a full-depth shelf above the freezer, just high enough that you can open the freezer all the way. Then anything that would have been stored where the freezer sits is now in the same space only four feet higher or so = no loss of storage. If you're really worried about looks, you could even build a plywood cabinet around the freezer that matches what you use for the shelf.

I have a mini-fridge in the shop, but only because it was given to me for free, as the fridge in the house is plenty adequate. The shop fridge is empty as often as it's not. Freezer, though? I hear you. The freezer that comes above the fridge is worthlessly small, so we have both a chest freezer and a standup freezer down in the basement. I find that I can get far better/healthier meat at a lower price if I buy by the animal/side, so we need a lot of freezer space. We put a half cow in the chest freezer and a whole pig plus poultry and vegetables in the standup freezer about every other year. Freezers are both scratch-and-dent cheapos because nobody sees them.

 

[Colin Len]

Samsung has their FlexZone series of refrigerators. You can set the temp for the mid drawer separate from the fridge/freezer. Don't remember if it can be full frezer temp though. Might be one to look into.

Hmm, that could definitely be something to look into. Sounds like something that may only be on the high end models but worth looking into. Thank you.

As long as the appliances are white, they should match “close enough”

It's not so much about them matching, that's easy, and yes of course I'd make sure they are the same color. It's the fact that it would be two units stacked that will look odd even if they do match.

Freezer will run a lot if you pull a hot car in that garage every day in the summer months unless the garage has a/c. I just moved my att. garage freezer to the basement for this reason. A frige will go in its place so maybe it will not run as much.

We don't have any other options. The house is very small and already full so the only options are outside in the yard or in the garage. We don't use the garage for our daily drivers, I only store my track car in the garage and it only sees use once or twice a month at most. Insulation and possibly AC are part of the planned remodel/reorg.

Whirlpool used to make a product that looked like an old school top freezer fridge but the layout was actually reversed. The bottom was a large upright freezer and the top was a convertible fridge/freezer. Convertible meaning you could flick a switch and turn the top to a freezer as well.

They made a standard looking one as well as one for Gladiator that had a diamond plate front and large casters.

I suspect both products have been discontinued as it was probably ten years ago my wife and I were looking at them. We instead purchased a Frigidaire convertible upright fridge. The entire thing is either fridge or freezer. That has been a great product for us. Now operating in fridge mode at our cabin. But doesn't sound like the right product for you.

That's exactly what I've been looking for! It seems like such an obvious solution for so many of our garages. I'll have to do some searches to see if maybe they have anything like this still. Thank you!

If you really need freezer space without sacrificing a lot of garage storage space, how about a chest freezer? The idea would be to buy a relatively small chest freezer, put it in a place that works, then build a full-depth shelf above the freezer, just high enough that you can open the freezer all the way. Then anything that would have been stored where the freezer sits is now in the same space only four feet higher or so = no loss of storage. If you're really worried about looks, you could even build a plywood cabinet around the freezer that matches what you use for the shelf.

I have a mini-fridge in the shop, but only because it was given to me for free, as the fridge in the house is plenty adequate. The shop fridge is empty as often as it's not. Freezer, though? I hear you. The freezer that comes above the fridge is worthlessly small, so we have both a chest freezer and a standup freezer down in the basement. I find that I can get far better/healthier meat at a lower price if I buy by the animal/side, so we need a lot of freezer space. We put a half cow in the chest freezer and a whole pig plus poultry and vegetables in the standup freezer about every other year. Freezers are both scratch-and-dent cheapos because nobody sees them.

A chest freezer is the least practical for us because it is accessed from the top. This means nothing can be stored above it. if I get a front door unit it should take up less floor space and I could have storage above it.

 

[1320stang]

We have a smaller upright freezer with a dorm fridge on top. Gatorade and water in the fridge, both are white but I'm not concerned with how well it looks. My recyclable bins are on a wire bakers rack to the right as you go into the house and to the left are my ladders and my 44" stacked toolbox. The ladders and toolbox are in front of the A/C and water heater closet.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

This whole post makes me cringe.

Both at my mom's house and my mother-in-law's house there is a refrigerator running in the garage.

They both are widows and live alone.

They both have big full size refrigerators in their fully stocked kitchens.

My mom even has a full size chest deep freeze in a closet in her house along with the other 2 refrigerators.

Did I mention they both have household sizes of "ONE PERSON".

I've asked both of them, why are you paying an extra $30 or $40 per month on your power bill to run that old fridge out in the garage. "Because I don't have room in the fridge inside. I have to have 2 refrigerators."

Meanwhile, up until quite recently, we had a family of 5 living in our house and somehow managed to feed everyone out of only one refrigerator.

At my MIL's is the worst. There are like 3 cans of ensure and a 12 pack of tepid water in the garage fridge. I say tepid because the poor old beast is running its compressor off and still can't keep up since it's 90 degrees in the garage.

Phil

 

[aggie113]

You might try looking at local for sale postings of used restaurant equipment. Tons of them that closed over the last year and they might have something odd that is more freezer than fridge.

 

[greenskeeper]

As long as the appliances are white, they should match “close enough”

A bride wears white..... Why?

So the new dishwasher matches the other appliances.

 

[Colin Len]

This whole post makes me cringe.

Both at my mom's house and my mother-in-law's house there is a refrigerator running in the garage.

They both are widows and live alone.

They both have big full size refrigerators in their fully stocked kitchens.

My mom even has a full size chest deep freeze in a closet in her house along with the other 2 refrigerators.

Did I mention they both have household sizes of "ONE PERSON".

I've asked both of them, why are you paying an extra $30 or $40 per month on your power bill to run that old fridge out in the garage. "Because I don't have room in the fridge inside. I have to have 2 refrigerators."

Meanwhile, up until quite recently, we had a family of 5 living in our house and somehow managed to feed everyone out of only one refrigerator.

At my MIL's is the worst. There are like 3 cans of ensure and a 12 pack of tepid water in the garage fridge. I say tepid because the poor old beast is running its compressor off and still can't keep up since it's 90 degrees in the garage.

Phil

While I appreciate the sentiment, you have no idea what my situation is. We are very frugal and very focused on not being wasteful people. We collect rainwater and our electricity use is minimal (~$50/mon), we use reusable products insted of plastic bags and paper towels. We eat primarily vegetarian. Our footprint is WAY below average and this has been done on purpose and with intention.

We also love food, love gardening, love cooking, love beer/wine/cocktails. I'd like to be able to keep more craft beer cold as it should not be stored warm. We've also amassed a collection of aperitifs and other liqueurs that should be kept cool (or at least not in our house which can get to 80+ degrees inside because it was built in 1942 with no insulation and we don't run the AC all day). We've also gotten big into preserving food from the garden and making lots of frozen meals ahead that we can use instead of eating out on nights we're too busy to cook. And, we'd like to start making more of our own dog food as well, which needs to be kept frozen.

I know the type of people you're referring to and it's almost insulting to me that one would assume I'm one of them. Especially when it's clear that I'm looking for an efficient solution to my situation.

 

[yatg]

FWIW, I learned you shouldn't store meat long term in a frost free fridge because of the defrost cycles. We've got a small chest freezer and a small separate standard fridge. It takes up floor space, but they are tucked under some shelving so there's plenty of space above. The lowest shelf is set at about 6' and the freezer is 4' wide, so not much wasted space. I just need to train the wife from using the freezer lid for storage.

 

[tez929rr]

This whole post makes me cringe.

Both at my mom's house and my mother-in-law's house there is a refrigerator running in the garage.

They both are widows and live alone.

They both have big full size refrigerators in their fully stocked kitchens.

My mom even has a full size chest deep freeze in a closet in her house along with the other 2 refrigerators.

Did I mention they both have household sizes of "ONE PERSON".

I've asked both of them, why are you paying an extra $30 or $40 per month on your power bill to run that old fridge out in the garage. "Because I don't have room in the fridge inside. I have to have 2 refrigerators."

Meanwhile, up until quite recently, we had a family of 5 living in our house and somehow managed to feed everyone out of only one refrigerator.

At my MIL's is the worst. There are like 3 cans of ensure and a 12 pack of tepid water in the garage fridge. I say tepid because the poor old beast is running its compressor off and still can't keep up since it's 90 degrees in the garage.

Phil

Who cares? There are two of us and we have one fridge/freezer in the house kitchen, a separate upright freezer and and upright fridge in our laundry room, a full size side by side in my shop (given to us) and a small fridge/freezer in the guest apartment in out other shop. Three of them are in non climate controlled areas and none have a problem keeping cold in the summer. When COVID first hit we had probably six solid weeks of food available; likewise plenty of stored food when the big freeze hit this year. The truth is it’s none of your business. BTW, the side by side is 16+ years old now and costs $20 per month to operate, in the summer, in Texas in an uncooled steel building.

While I appreciate the sentiment, you have no idea what my situation is. We are very frugal and very focused on not being wasteful people. We collect rainwater and our electricity use is minimal (~$50/mon), we use reusable products insted of plastic bags and paper towels. We eat primarily vegetarian. Our footprint is WAY below average and this has been done on purpose and with intention.

We also love food, love gardening, love cooking, love beer/wine/cocktails. I'd like to be able to keep more craft beer cold as it should not be stored warm. We've also amassed a collection of aperitifs and other liqueurs that should be kept cool (or at least not in our house which can get to 80+ degrees inside because it was built in 1942 with no insulation and we don't run the AC all day). We've also gotten big into preserving food from the garden and making lots of frozen meals ahead that we can use instead of eating out on nights we're too busy to cook. And, we'd like to start making more of our own dog food as well, which needs to be kept frozen.

I know the type of people you're referring to and it's almost insulting to me that one would assume I'm one of them. Especially when it's clear that I'm looking for an efficient solution to my situation.

Unbunch your *******. The comment was typical GJ “how dare someone not live as I do” BS. Taking offense is even dumber.

 

[Walkers]

Freezer will run a lot if you pull a hot car in that garage every day in the summer months unless the garage has a/c. I just moved my att. garage freezer to the basement for this reason. A frige will go in its place so maybe it will not run as much.

He is in Long Beach Ca. They think 90 for 3 hours in the afternoon is hot there until the afternoon ocean breeze cools it back down.

 

[Crabman]

I learned you shouldn't store meat long term in a frost free fridge

Using a vacuum sealer helps a lot with this. I almost always repackage meat before freezing.

 

[Charlie51]

Whatever you do, stay away from any freezer manufactured by Electrolux. I had two re-branded (a Frigidaire and a GE) freezers made by them that failed within two years--just out of warranty.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

Who cares? There are two of us and we have one fridge/freezer in the house kitchen, a separate upright freezer and and upright fridge in our laundry room, a full size side by side in my shop (given to us) and a small fridge/freezer in the guest apartment in out other shop. Three of them are in non climate controlled areas and none have a problem keeping cold in the summer. When COVID first hit we had probably six solid weeks of food available; likewise plenty of stored food when the big freeze hit this year. The truth is it’s none of your business. BTW, the side by side is 16+ years old now and costs $20 per month to operate, in the summer, in Texas in an uncooled steel building.

Unbunch your *******. The comment was typical GJ “how dare someone not live as I do” BS. Taking offense is even dumber.

The multi-quote is a little confusing based...but based on context, I assume you are replying to me?

The truth actually is that my mother and my mother-in-law have both "become my business" as I am stuck right exactly in the middle of the "sandwich generation".…not trying to say at all that this applies to the OP or every situation.

 

[83VillageRepair]

We live in the country and at times are really stocked up on frozen food like right after a full beef and hog come home from the locker plant. I looked for just what you are looking for, Large freezer with little fridge and couldn't find anything that wasn't hugely expensive. Our solution was 2 small chests and a dorm fridge in a line down the wall. When we are full both are running as we eat down we consolidate into one and unplug the other. You can build full size shelving above and just slide the chest type freezer out for access like pallet racking or similar. They should slide really easy or you can place them on those furniture moving pucks (as seen on TV)

 

[Copymutt]

Similar , but different needs here. I home brew & dispense in 5 gallon soda kegs. I picked up a garage sale fridge, pulled all the shelves as well as the door shelves. Covered the inside of the door w/ 26 gauge steel. It still has the small top freezer compartment which I use. I fit 3 kegs plus other canned/ bottled drinks, no problem.
My other needs were temp. Controlled brewing and apple storage. Both were accomplished by building 2x2 and a 30”x 56” coolers out of 2nd hand 4” styrofoam. Two synthetic ice packs every other day keep the just great. I do the same w/ the 2x2 to keep lager temps.

 

[duneslider]

Freezer will run a lot if you pull a hot car in that garage every day in the summer months unless the garage has a/c. I just moved my att. garage freezer to the basement for this reason.

I was told by a service guy once this probably isn't true in most locations of the country. It will run more in the hottest summer months but spring, fall, winter it won't. Although, some appliances don't run well when it is too cold. He even said I might see lower costs than if it were in the house at a constant 70ish degrees. Either way, I have had them inside and in the garage and don't see any difference.

Anyway, I have a fridge/freezer combo and a freezer.

 

[egdede]

I used to tell guys not to 'get their *******' in a bunch. Over the years, as happens when new little girls enter ones life, I mellowed, and realized it isn't nice to reinforce gendered stereotypes in my discourses. So I started saying 'Don't get your underwear in a bunch'.

Flash forward 10 years, now my wife buys me some new miracle fiber underwear that is 100% cotton, but super soft and silky...like *******. So now when I say 'don't get your underwear in a bunch', I'm kinda' telling myself not to get my man -******* in a bunch. They are comfortable as ****. I'm going to keep wearing them : )

 

[Engineer61]

This may be out of you price range, but have you checked into the "Drawer" freezers and refrigerators? You could put in two freezer drawers and one refrigerator drawer, put them in some insulated cabinetry for extra efficiency. Problem is that the drawers start at expensive and go up to outrageous.