Freezerator (Garage refridgerator/freezer)

[Darren M.]

I ran a few searches and am a bit suprised you guys haven't discussed this thing yet. Granted it's price is a bit much, MSRP $999.99. Or, perhaps my searching skills ****.
Here's a link to the Gladiator works site discussing it.
Here's quip from the site:

The Freezerator® convertible refrigerator/freezer - the ultimate second refrigerator with ideal proportions providing the latest and greatest in innovation, space savings, and an upscale look that really stands out in the garage. It appeals to busy families who buy in bulk from warehouse clubs, who need space for chilling surplus beverages like that extra gallon of milk that will eventually end up in the main refrigerator, who need extra refrigerator or freezer space around the holidays, and who want chilled beverages to be consumed outside without having to enter the house. The convertible upper compartment allows you to decide if the compartment operates as a refrigerator or freezer. Need more refrigerator space? Check out our Chillerator™ Garage Refrigerator.

Is anyone using this? With the advent of a new member to our household (12/19/05) we're looking to get an upright freezer anyway and I figured I might as well get something for the garage too. (Can always use beer storage. )

Here's a picture of it. Looks like a regular refer but the freezer holds the freezer and the upper is the fridge.
(Click the pics for a larger view.)



Comments, concerns?? More importantly, does anyone know who the manufacturer is? I'd love to get one of these things below a grand!

(Note: I have NO affiliation with Gladiator works or their site.)

 

[gerry]

I looked at something similar when buying appliences for my new house/shop. The ones I saw had a slide out basket for the freezer on bottom. I did not like the idea of ice/water dropping on the floor every time the freezer was opened and the basket slid out. I have an regular ref/frzr in my shop and like it as it is. Had a neighbor who had a reg fridg set up to hold a keg years ago. Frozen mugs in the top freezer compartment, and the keg inside the ref. The tap went through the door so we never had to open anything but the freezer to get a mug of ice cold beer

 

[Darren M.]

Now THAT is a good idea!!

 

[jpkemp]

I looked at one about a year ago but did not buy it due to having a full upright freezer already. My dad did buy one for his garage and he loves it. Granted that is is bit pricey, but it looks great with all the matching Whirlpool Gladiator furniture/cabinets. Kind of wish I purchased one but the the upright is still kickin it. Here is the link to the Whirlpool Gladiator home page:

Gladiator GarageWorks

There are two kinds, the Freezerator and the Chillerator - by Whirlpool

 

[bmwpower]

For that price, you can get a really nice commercial stainless undercounter fridge or fridge/freezer. I believe that price is even close to SubZero territory, too.

 

[69lkmno]

I used to have a white freezer in the garage. When I upgraded my garage, I painted the freezer black and added the aluminum diamond plate on the freezer door.

 

[Darren M.]

For that price, you can get a really nice commercial stainless undercounter fridge or fridge/freezer. I believe that price is even close to SubZero territory, too.

That's a VERY good point. I hadn't even thought of that. (Can't believe it either, I've paid my dues in various kitchens during college. )

Good call. I'll look into that as I'd like to use the space as a counter top also and an industrial top can REALLY take the "heat".

<-- BMWCCA member as well. (They have fast courses. )

 

[Weekend_warrior]

I think the manufacture is Whirlpool.

 

[stimpy]

69lkmno ,I like the coldbox , at the shop we used to have one painted up like a toolbox right down to the pull handles , then it died when lightning hit the building . the new one is a plain jane except where the boss uses it to test out spray patterns for his spraygun .

 

[bmwpower]

That's a VERY good point. I hadn't even thought of that. (Can't believe it either, I've paid my dues in various kitchens during college. )

Good call. I'll look into that as I'd like to use the space as a counter top also and an industrial top can REALLY take the "heat".

<-- BMWCCA member as well. (They have fast courses. )

I'm going to install a commercial undercounter stainless in my garage. I think the model I priced out was around $600 delivered. Another good thing with the commercial units is that some can be ordered with a lock. Important if you have some curious teenagers or some wandering neighbors.

Off topic, but what do you drive?

 

[Uncle Buck]

69lkmno: The route you chose would be closer to my price range and inclination if I ever get the room in my garage for a fridge!

 

[Darren M.]

Off topic, but what do you drive?

'00 Mustang (GT). However, it runs w/ M3's. (Ok, SOME M3's ) However, I became a BMWCCA (Lone Star Chapter) in order to run their local Autocross (3rd gear AX!) and OT events. In the beginning I was quite ignorant of BMW's. Now I'm more than impressed. After being allowed to drive a few race prepped M3's (cages, stickies, etc) I'm more than just impressed. I'm honestly waivering on my BUY AMERICAN CARS motto. Great vehicles, nice folks, etc.

On a side note: It's still great to pass one of them and get the "WTF??!?" look due to my lowly GT. (I don't pass many but I enjoy the ones I do pass.)

 

[comp]

I think the manufacture is Whirlpool.

it is made here in Evansville In'.

 

[Roadster J]

What about doing up a plain frig with one of these kits? It looks like what Stimpy described.

Toolbox Kit

 

[Darren M.]

Yeah http://toocoolkit.com/ pioneered that, I think. The thing is I want the storage capacity of an upright freezer with a little fridge room for <ahem> Adult Beverages. Yes a FREEZER and dorm fridge would suffice and would look cool pimped out.

Still leaning towards the commercial/restraunt style that's also useable as a bench top.

BMW do you have a supplier link??

 

[bmwpower]

Yeah http://toocoolkit.com/ pioneered that, I think. The thing is I want the storage capacity of an upright freezer with a little fridge room for <ahem> Adult Beverages. Yes a FREEZER and dorm fridge would suffice and would look cool pimped out.

Still leaning towards the commercial/restraunt style that's also useable as a bench top.

BMW do you have a supplier link??

This is the one I was looking at:

http://www.summitappliance.com/detail/r10bs

You can buy them online, but the price I rec'd was from a local appliance store.
I looked at SubZero (really nice), Marvel (nice) and others. The Summit was not too pricey and fit my space requirements. I wasn't concerned with a completely stainless model (sides, top, etc), which you can get, since mine was going to have a countertop on top and tool cabinets on either side.

 

[RedRacer74]

Gladiator freezer fridge.

I have the Gladiator unit, bought it at Sear's. I got really lucky and bought it for $550 or so. They had a Fire Marshal inspection and were told to clean out the isle's or they would be fined.
They were loaded up with appliances and had a huge unadvertised sale because of this . I wasn't even in the market for one yet as the barn wasn't done. They had two at that time for this price. I couldn't believe my eye's when my wife dragged me out of the tool dept. Loaded it right up on the spot into the dually in case it was a mistake and took it home.
That was last years Xmas present from the wife.

It work awesome and holds plenty of beer. It gets really cold up in Northwest Ct. and nothing inside freezes.

 

[Truck Guy]

Another good thing with the commercial units is that some can be ordered with a lock. Important if you have some curious teenagers or some wandering neighbors.

Funny you should mention this....

I have a Coke machine in the garage (circa 1960's) that vends a can of soda when you push the button, no money needed.

I couldn't believe how much soda we were going through until I found out my kids had told the neighbor kids that "It's free!" and they would just walk up the driveway and in the garage to help themselves

We had a little talk with the kids at that point......

 

[Roadster]

I looked into the Freezerator a while back. If I recall correctly, one of the benefits of this unit is that the contents in the refrigerator portion will not freeze if the unit is installed in an unheated garage which sees below-freezing temperatures in the winter.

For those of you considering installing standard residential or commercial-grade refrigerators, are you putting them in heated or unheated garages?

 

[bmwpower]

I looked into the Freezerator a while back. If I recall correctly, one of the benefits of this unit is that the contents in the refrigerator portion will not freeze if the unit is installed in an unheated garage which sees below-freezing temperatures in the winter.

For those of you considering installing standard residential or commercial-grade refrigerators, are you putting them in heated or unheated garages?

I'm putting mine in a heated garage.

 

[Learo2000GT]

Hey 69klmno that is a great idea... what did you use to fix the diamond plating to the freezer door????? I am putting in a total gladiator system at this time and was woundering what to do about my old fridge and freezer. Did not want to spend the 1K on the gladiator freezer. You just nailed it for me... thanks Doug

 

[69lkmno]

Hey 69klmno that is a great idea... what did you use to fix the diamond plating to the freezer door????? I am putting in a total gladiator system at this time and was woundering what to do about my old fridge and freezer. Did not want to spend the 1K on the gladiator freezer. You just nailed it for me... thanks Doug

I got the aluminum diamond plate from this guy and used liquid nail to hold it.

http://www.cutsmetal.com/

I bought the .024 aluminum diamond plate. Email him the measurement that you need and he will give you a quote. DO NOT TAKE his first quote even if it is within your budget. Give him a lower price that is reasonable shipped to your door and most likely he will say "Deal of the Day". Good luck!

 

[Learo2000GT]

Thanks much... one last question... what kind of paint did you use on your fridge and did you do any prep work to get the paint to stick... IE light sanding or anyhting of that nature... thanks again for the help.... Doug

 

[69lkmno]

I bought the epoxy spray can from Lowe's that's specifically made for refrigerators and freezers. I used two cans and did not do any kind of sanding other than wiping the surface clean.

 

[djjack]

This is a little off the point but don't forget that refrigerators typically cost $5 to $10 a month to operate. Some old models may take a a lot more.

 

[767Jockey]

I looked into the Freezerator a while back. If I recall correctly, one of the benefits of this unit is that the contents in the refrigerator portion will not freeze if the unit is installed in an unheated garage which sees below-freezing temperatures in the winter.

For those of you considering installing standard residential or commercial-grade refrigerators, are you putting them in heated or unheated garages?

This is the problem I have with my garage refigerator. I'm in NY with an unheated garage. When the garage temp drops to about 38, which it is at or below for most of the winter, the refrigerator / freezer stops working and everything in the freezer thaws and spoils. We have taken to unplugging it and leaving the door open for the winter. Any ideas on how this can be stopped, other than the obvious solution of keeping the garage heated all the time which is cost prohibitive? If it helps, the unit is about 4 years old and is a GE standard top freezer, bottom fridge. Thanks.

 

[M-Funf]

I'm going to install a commercial undercounter stainless in my garage. I think the model I priced out was around $600 delivered. Another good thing with the commercial units is that some can be ordered with a lock. Important if you have some curious teenagers or some wandering neighbors.

Off topic, but what do you drive?

Great thread. Good idea on adding diamond plate to the front of the unit! Seems like a cheap alternative. I have a full size freezer in the garage, as well as a mini-fridge for keeping the beer cold. You can see them on the right hand side of this picture (the mini-fridge is stacked on top of the freezer).

Oh, and I'm a BMWCCA member as well...can you tell?

 

[ellsworb]

Had a neighbor who had a reg fridg set up to hold a keg years ago. Frozen mugs in the top freezer compartment, and the keg inside the ref. The tap went through the door so we never had to open anything but the freezer to get a mug of ice cold beer

My roomate and I built one of these for our Sr. year of college. . kept it in the KITCHEN. Found a fridge for $10 that someone "just needed to get rid of", bought the tubing and regulator off ebay for a discount, and another buddy of ours worked in the Biology dept. and hooked us up with a FULL size (read 5') bottle of CO2. . what a good year that was. Beer is cheap when you buy in BULK!

 

[Rat407]

I know this is an old thread but my search didn't bring much up. At least from what I tried to search.

Has anyone put their fridge on bigger casters than what nomally comes on them. It would make moving and cleaning under so much easier. We are moving to a new place and I was wanting to put larger casters on ours. We keep an extra fridge and up right deep freeze in the garage.

 

[kbs2244]

No reason not to use bigger wheels.
I put mine, that came w/o casters, on a HF dolly.