Thermal switch for fridge?

[vlpronj]

I will start by saying I am a DIYer, and have wired/rewired outlets, light switches, etc., but for safety's sake don't usually work with anything more than that.

My wife's family always had an electric fridge in the garage when she was growing up. Of course, it always had problems through the winter because it wouldn't operate properly when the temp in the unheated, uninsulated garage got too low.

We may put a fridge back out there, and I thought it might increase the life of the fridge, and possibly even the food stored there, if I could plug it into a device that would only let it run when the ambient temperature is at or above a certain level.

I was wondering if I could wire that up with something like this, or if someone had a better idea.

Also, any advice on the temperature to set it to? I live along the coast of NJ, so we can get nights below 40 even when daytime temps are 65 or higher.

If it's best set to 50, then I would just use it as a beverage fridge, nothing that could spoil. If I could set it lower, so it won't shut off til temps get to 40, then I'd feel better about having perishables in there.

I know my brother could set something up with a $5 wall thermostat, but I'm not the electrical/electronics guy in the family.

 

[kbs2244]

I live at the IL/WI line.
I have had a fridge in an unheated garage for over 30 years.
Use it for pop, beer, milk, and frozen food.
Just stuff that won't fit in the kitchen one.
It is set at the same temp and ignored.
It turns itself on when it is hot and doesn’t when it is cold.

 

[Gary S]

I unplug my garage fridge in the Fall when the temperature drops below 35 and plug in a thermostatic controlled 100w light bulb instead. That heats the fridge to 35 all winter. In the spring, I unplug the light thermostat and take it out of the refrigerator and plug the compressor back in.
That way my fridge contents are always around 35 degrees.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I would not worry about it. Many will say it causes problems with the fridge to be operated in extreme cold, but I really don't think with modern fridges, you will have any problems.

Charles

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

Amazon has plenty of switches to fit this need. But realistically I think it's not worth the effort.