a refrigerator for garage
- Thread starter PopPops
- Start date
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
Regular home use refrigerators don't do well in cold or hot areas, but since you're only running it in warm months it shouldn't be a big issue other than the extra electricity it will use in hot weather.
The t-stat won't work correctly in freezing temps, so the compressor will short cycle. This can mess up the defrost timer cycle, but what happens most often is the refrigerated foods freeze. The refrigerant oil can gel and could lead to compressor failure, but it's rare. After your winter shutdown , don't plug it in until the temp has been steadily above 50° for a day or two.
Tommy
The t-stat won't work correctly in freezing temps, so the compressor will short cycle. This can mess up the defrost timer cycle, but what happens most often is the refrigerated foods freeze. The refrigerant oil can gel and could lead to compressor failure, but it's rare. After your winter shutdown , don't plug it in until the temp has been steadily above 50° for a day or two.
Tommy
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Thanks Tommy, I'll have to think about this. I don't like the idea of the electric bill going way up just to have something cold to drink in the garage. The house is that far away if you know what I mean.
At least I can store it in the garage during the winter.
At least I can store it in the garage during the winter.
You're looking at it all wrong....fridge, radio, tv, microwave, snack cupboard, bathroom and a few other items are worth the money not to have to go into the house at times.
bob15
Well-known member
You will be fine. I used one for many years (spring/summer use) in an unheated barn.
Worsedog
Well-known member
While my garage does have heat, I think I've turned it on twice in 20 years. There are few rooms finished like an apartment, but not occupied. It is insulated and in central FL but I run it year round. It is nice not having to worry about tracking **** into the house or having to clean up to not track **** into the house.
Augus7us
Well-known member
I had a cheap dorm type fridge in my old shop and left it out there three winters. Anything in it during the cold days would freeze but the fridge still works just fine.
-Clint
-Clint
Lassen Forge
Well-known member
My old dorm fridge lived in my shop, it now lives on the back porch, has for years, not a hitch. The worst part was having soda pop freeze and burst in the winter, than having to clean it out... but popping a cold beer with the little flecks of ice in it? Priceless!
bob15
Well-known member
I had the frozen beer issue when I was in college. Problem was it broke at the neck and it was nothing but a beer slurpy with a lot of glass mixed into it. Not fun.....
zhaddock
Well-known member
My folks moved their double door fridge out by the pool when they got a new one in the kitchen. It's outside under a roof but very much exposed to the outdoor temps. They're in Kansas so it's either HOT or COLD. It's on all the time and has held up for the last 5 years.
firebirdparts
Well-known member
Cold won't hurt the refrigerator. It just hurts the contents. If a coke explodes in it you just have a little cleanup to do.
Crazyjake8493
Well-known member
You shouldn't have any issues. I run the fridge in my garage from April to November and leave it unplugged for the winter months.