Garage Refrigerator

[Quickstep192]

I know this isn’t about wrenches or cars, but it is clearly garage related!

I put an old refrigerator in the garage some years ago for bait. At some point, my wife began to use it for food.

It didn’t work well in the winter; I said it got “confused” by the temperature outside the fridge being colder than the set point inside the fridge; drinks would freeze and burst.

I looks like it’s time for a new one. Any recommendations? I see there are now “garage ready” refrigerators.

Suggestions of specific brands or models are appreciated.

 

[kaehlin]

Our Samsung was a disaster, so I'd recommend against that brand.

 

[bmwrd0]

I would start with basic maintenance on the fridge you have. Is the evaporator clean, door seal, etc. Other than that, something cheap on Craigslist or Marketplace that has the same footprint would work and keep funds intact.

 

[amgent57]

I can't imagine being surprised by drinks freezing and bursting in a fridge in winter.

Ummm, there's no heat source.

I have an attached garage and my garage fridge is against the "shared" wall.
So those two things help, but I still do not keep drinks
or anything else I don't want to freeze in the fridge
during the 3 stupid cold months here in SE Wisconsin.

Garage ready refrigerators are a great marketing idea,
but they're just extra insulated for hot garages,
they're still subject to super cold temps.
Again, no heat source.

 

[finn]

Not sure what it means, but we just bought a new refrigerator, and when looking online at the “specifications” sheet published by retailers there was a line titled “Garage Ready” of something to that extent.

I don’t recall the exact wording, and the extent of the listing information was a simple “yes”, or “no”. I assume it’s got something to do with the ice maker or filtered water dispens, but that’s just a guess.

For what it’s worth, I was limiting my search to Bosch, GE, and Kitchen Aid.

We ended up with a Kitchen Aid.

Ends up that the fan on the old Samsung we previously had in the kitchen was blocked by ice build up. It works fine now in the shop after being unplugged for 48 hours. There’s $47 aftermarket kit to ”fix” the ice cube maker and refrigerator fan icing up problem the old Samsungs had. I stumbled on the kit while searching for a replacement fan, which I ordered but apparently didn’t need.

Frankly, the Samsung was a nice machine except for those icing issues, so maybe I’ll look further into the aftermarket kits.

 

[BillK]

It didn’t work well in the winter; I said it got “confused” by the temperature outside the fridge being colder than the set point inside the fridge; drinks would freeze and burst.

You must be in a very cold climate ? My Garage fridge was made in 1951 and works just fine in my attached garage. I will say that it rarely gets to freezing in the garage even when outside temps are at 10 deg.

 

[Copymutt]

Find another from the 70’s. Most all new appliances are ****.

 

[amgent57]

Well, looks like I was wrong about "Garage Ready" refrigerators,
there is a heat source next to the thermostat...

"What "Garage-Ready" Actually Means

• Extra Controls: True garage-ready units often include a small, built-in heater kit or a dual-sensing thermostat system.
• Forced Operation: The added heater warms the main thermostat during cold snaps, forcing the compressor to turn on when needed so the freezer stays frozen without letting the fridge compartment freeze everything else."

"It is a clever workaround. The heater isn't meant to warm your food—it is just there to trick the appliance's brain so your freezer doesn't thaw out.

How the Small Heater Works

• Location: It is a tiny, low-wattage heating element placed directly next to the internal thermostat control.
• The Trick: When garage temperatures drop below 50°F, the heater turns on to fake a "warm" environment right at the sensor.
• The Result: The thermostat detects this fake heat and kicks the compressor on, which keeps the freezer running so your frozen meats and meals stay at 0°F."

 

[mrb1]

Do you still have the old? Have run an 80's era Frigidaire in the garage for 20 years. Beer, water, and bait, very little food below. Darlin' does not approve. Freezer packed with meat though. You can get a heating element (pad) for your model, or universal kit to make it "garage proof". Keep's the compressor kicking on. Or use the old light bulb trick. Attached, unheated garage here with plenty of freezing days. Even in a hard Ohio winter, is only needed a handful of times. Set it on a timer to turn on/off a couple times a day is all they need. Works great.

 

[amgent57]

You can get a heating element (pad) for your model, or universal kit to make it "garage proof". Keep's the compressor kicking on.

I learned something today.

Thank you.

 

[Shootinok]

Our Samsung was a disaster, so I'd recommend against that brand.

We swore off Samsung also - won’t buy agai.

 

[djbmw]

Well, looks like I was wrong about "Garage Ready" refrigerators,
there is a heat source next to the thermostat...

"What "Garage-Ready" Actually Means

• Extra Controls: True garage-ready units often include a small, built-in heater kit or a dual-sensing thermostat system.
• Forced Operation: The added heater warms the main thermostat during cold snaps, forcing the compressor to turn on when needed so the freezer stays frozen without letting the fridge compartment freeze everything else."

"It is a clever workaround. The heater isn't meant to warm your food—it is just there to trick the appliance's brain so your freezer doesn't thaw out.

How the Small Heater Works

• Location: It is a tiny, low-wattage heating element placed directly next to the internal thermostat control.
• The Trick: When garage temperatures drop below 50°F, the heater turns on to fake a "warm" environment right at the sensor.
• The Result: The thermostat detects this fake heat and kicks the compressor on, which keeps the freezer running so your frozen meats and meals stay at 0°F."

I understand how that helps those with a thawing issue... but it doesnt help those who live in cold climates where the temperature in the shop is well below the fridge and freezer temperature.

For me... my garage fridge does fine until its the dead of winter and if im not using the shop (ie. Im not heating it while not in use). Its a 1500 sq ft detatched shop, fully insulated, on a concrete slab. With frequent winter use, the minimum temperature in the shop is -5 C (23 F).

However, if i dont go in there for a week or so in late Jan or Feb, it can easily drop to -20 C (-4 F). The insulation of the fridge door eventually lets the cold in, and drinks freeze and explode if left inside.

I guess those "garage ready" fridges are only meant for moderate climates....

 

[Recoveryman]

We have a twenty five year old Frigidaire in an unheated garage, no problems. The freezer works good, as well. For what its worth, we also have a Frigidaire freeze seperately, also about 30 years old. Good luck.
Recoveryman

 

[bob smith1]

I know exactly what is happening.

 

[Stuart in MN]

If it's cold enough long enough, stuff in a fridge in an unheated garage is going to freeze unless it has some sort of heating element to keep the interior above 32F.

If you're storing drinks only, you could look for a used soda vending machine that's designed for outdoor use. They do have heating elements built in.

 

[firebirdparts]

'garage ready' solves the wrong problem. It doesn't stop things from freezing, it makes them freeze. On purpose. This is not a joke. Don't spend your money.

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, older less efficient"bare bones" refrigerators with fewer "bells and whistles" tend to last for years, probably because there are fewer points of failure.