Sub Zero fridge in the garage??

[FstEdde]

Hi all. I’m contemplating another garage fridge. I’ve had one before (the old kitchen cast-off), but it was inefficient and noisy and stuck out from the wall quite a ways. It made parking pretty tight. Debris also accumulates underneath, and it can be a breeding ground for rodents. But frankly, it ***** not having one with a household of five now. I was checking out garage-ready fridges but they’re just residential fridges with more insulation.

So then I thought a Sub Zero could be the way to go. They are very high-quality and insulated very well. They are countertop depth (about 26 inches) so that would clear up space. Plus their cooling coil and compressor are on top so I can push it up against the wall and the mechanicals will be off the floor. I’ve seen refurbished 20-year-old units selling for a few hundred dollars more than a new garage fridge. The doors accommodate slide-in panels so I could do whatever I want on the front.

Anyone use one in a garage with any issues? Garage is currently unheated but will be after one more winter. (Pic for interest)

 

[mike93lx]

Sure, why not?

I'd be curious on power draw compared to a new one.

I run a full size fridge (no freezer) and love it. Tons of 12 packs of drinks, full size pizza boxes and more. It's sitting next to a full size freezer.

 

[larry4406]

Where are you located? Profile not listed.

I have a regular fridge and freezer in my garage. When it gets down to 15-20 F outside and garage falls to high 30’s I kick on the garage resistance heater and units work fine.

Since you plan on heating your garage you could likely do the same.

 

[wssix99]

I would just put the 2nd refrigerator inside the house (maybe inside an interior closet) and just have the butler bring you a beverage when you are thirsty.

 

[acer66]

I would just put the 2nd refrigerator inside the house (maybe inside an interior closet) and just have the butler bring you a beverage when you are thirsty.

Not sure if I would care if my butler would have to make the trip to my garage fridge.

But I for certain would make sure that he matches the in house fridge delivery time.

 

[FstEdde]

Where are you located? Profile not listed.

I have a regular fridge and freezer in my garage. When it gets down to 15-20 F outside and garage falls to high 30’s I kick on the garage resistance heater and units work fine.

Since you plan on heating your garage you could likely do the same.

Detroit. Sorry, I fixed my profile. Is that the heater kits I see for sale? Is that a heated mat that goes inside?

 

[FstEdde]

I would just put the 2nd refrigerator inside the house (maybe inside an interior closet) and just have the butler bring you a beverage when you are thirsty.

Yeah I wish…

My house is about 1800 sqft total. No room for a 2nd fridge inside the house.

 

[Magna86]

I just have the cheapest fridge possible in the garage. Old style with the small top freezer. They seem to be smaller depth wise that the newer fridge and not paying extra for counter depth. But really depends on what are planning to put in it and what you are willing to spend. There should be no issue using a subzero fridge in the garage.

 

[e015475]

I had that SubZero in my kitchen before the last remodel. Had it for about 25 years and it was reliable. I replaced the freezer seals about twice IIRC. If anything spills in the freezer, you have to pull the freezer drawer out and defrost it because it starts to interfere with the freezer drawer closing. Most of my problems came with the ice-maker or the kids leaving the door ajar and moisture getting into the freezer

Since it is designed to fit flush to a cabinet, it isn't very deep or have much for cubic feet. A cheap conventional refrigerator that isn't counter depth has a lot more room,

The SubZero has two compressors - one for the refrigerator and another for the freezer and it isn't the most energy efficient, I had to remove that grill about once a year and clean out the coils. I don't know how good it would do in a garage environment where there'd be a lot more dust, but it isn't hard to remove the grill - you just have to remember to do it.

The SubZero is designed to take a panel insert in the doors. Initially I had raised panel wood doors and changed them to stainless sheet metal in a mid-life kitchen update. The stainless ones are very expensive from SubZero but pretty reasonable from a stainless fabricator. (The stainless shows a lot of fingerprints - I kept them oiled down with WD-40)

 

[kwb]

I have one a lot like the one pictured at the start of the thread but it is all fridge.

Works great. Way bigger than I need for soda and beer but the price was right (free) and it fits under my stairs to the loft nicely.

 

[Iron Horse]

As someone who in my former life as a new kitchen installer and has installed many sub zeros I would absolutely stick one in my garage complete with polished diamond plate insert panels, and then a brass plaque that reads "I am ozymandias, Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair." " I am the Colossus of Rhodes, look to the sky as you sail and glimpse my gigantic nads."

 

[larry4406]

Detroit. Sorry, I fixed my profile. Is that the heater kits I see for sale? Is that a heated mat that goes inside?

When I said heater, I meant the actual heater which heats my entire garage space where my fridge and freezer are located.

 

[FstEdde]

I had that SubZero in my kitchen before the last remodel. Had it for about 25 years and it was reliable. I replaced the freezer seals about twice IIRC. If anything spills in the freezer, you have to pull the freezer drawer out and defrost it because it starts to interfere with the freezer drawer closing. Most of my problems came with the ice-maker or the kids leaving the door ajar and moisture getting into the freezer

Since it is designed to fit flush to a cabinet, it isn't very deep or have much for cubic feet. A cheap conventional refrigerator that isn't counter depth has a lot more room,

The SubZero has two compressors - one for the refrigerator and another for the freezer and it isn't the most energy efficient, I had to remove that grill about once a year and clean out the coils. I don't know how good it would do in a garage environment where there'd be a lot more dust, but it isn't hard to remove the grill - you just have to remember to do it.

The SubZero is designed to take a panel insert in the doors. Initially I had raised panel wood doors and changed them to stainless sheet metal in a mid-life kitchen update. The stainless ones are very expensive from SubZero but pretty reasonable from a stainless fabricator. (The stainless shows a lot of fingerprints - I kept them oiled down with WD-40)

Thank you for that insight. I just want to make sure I’m not buying into a problem. Now that I’ve done some homework it seems the old ones are pretty reliable still as long as some regular maintenance has been done. The one in the picture is from the 90s, but it’s only $1000 and the seller is a 32 year experienced appliance repairman who has refurbished the whole unit.

 

[MOS3522]

My personal (as well as Consumer Reports') experience with Sub-Zero is that they break much more than they should. Try and find a used commercial grade restaurant fridge instead.

 

[BillK]

Hi all. I’m contemplating another garage fridge.

Anyone use one in a garage with any issues? Garage is currently unheated but will be after one more winter. (Pic for interest)

Is this a detached garage or attached ? Does it really get that cold in there ? I am not as far north as you but I don't think my attached garage has ever gotten down to freezing. I have an ancient Fridge in there and it works just fine year round. I dont know how much room you need in a garage fridge but I know thee is no way on this earth I would pay $1000 for one Maybe $100 for a good used one.

 

[nadogail]

My Workshop refrigerator is a Dormitory Sized unit left behind by a Former Tenant. I keep bottled water, Cherry Flavored Coke Zero and Root Beer.
The Solar panels have eliminated all concerns about efficiency.

 

[FstEdde]

Is this a detached garage or attached ? Does it really get that cold in there ? I am not as far north as you but I don't think my attached garage has ever gotten down to freezing. I have an ancient Fridge in there and it works just fine year round. I dont know how much room you need in a garage fridge but I know thee is no way on this earth I would pay $1000 for one Maybe $100 for a good used one.

Below zero temps are common in Detroit. I’ve had the $100 junk fridge before. No thanks!

 

[FstEdde]

My personal (as well as Consumer Reports') experience with Sub-Zero is that they break much more than they should. Try and find a used commercial grade restaurant fridge instead.

That was my concern. Kinda like buying an older luxury car-more grief than what it’s worth. I priced out some used commercial fridges and they are waaaay to much $$$.

 

[mrb1]

Below zero temps are common in Detroit. I’ve had the $100 junk fridge before. No thanks!

Couple hours from ya. Plenty of freezing here also. Stick a light bulb under the thermostat when it gets way down below 0* to keep it cycling. Or use one of the heating element kits available. This $100 junk Frigidaire has spent 25 years in the garage, and probably 10 in the house before that.

 

[FstEdde]

Couple hours from ya. Plenty of freezing here also. Stick a light bulb under the thermostat when it gets way down below 0* to keep it cycling. Or use one of the heating element kits available. This $100 junk Frigidaire has spent 25 years in the garage, and probably 10 in the house before that.

Rolling Rock was my jam back in my drinkin’ days

 

[ludakris04]

You can also peruse the local gov websites for used ones. I know on govdeals the commercial ones pop up all the time..

 

[ATC]

We have our old Maytag in our garage. The kind where the whole left side is the freezer and the whole right side is the fridge. It's been out there 10+ years after coming out of our kitchen. We've had to unfreeze it a couple times, but she's still kickin'

 

[Yellerdog]

We had two sub zeros, size up from the one pictured. Both were put in service around 199-2000. They are still going strong and one is at the family beach house. If you can get 25 years out of any appliance, you’re ahead of the game. The older sub zeros are well made reliable machines.

 

[smackey05]

I have a subzero in our kitchen, 600 series older model but it has been extremely reliable. I’d say go for it. Definitely well made and reliable as others said.

 

[Mike65]

Yeah I wish…

My house is about 1800 sqft total. No room for a 2nd fridge inside the house.

What about in the basement? Our ranch house is 1450sq ft & we have a spare freezer, & a spare refrigerator in the basement at the base of the stairs, so it is still convenient.

 

[FstEdde]

What about in the basement? Our ranch house is 1450sq ft & we have a spare freezer, & a spare refrigerator in the basement at the base of the stairs, so it is still convenient.

I thought about that, but the only spot would be the laundry room, which is at the far end of the basement. Plus in the summer it’s a lot more convenient when the kids have access to drinks right in the garage.