Can a Freezer Be Kept in an Unheated Garage?


Is it okay to keep your freezer in your garage if it is unheated? Keeping a freezer in the garage is common in many households. It is a convenient place to store extra food and also saves space in your kitchen fridge. On the other hand, a lot of people are hesitant of keeping their freezer in an unheated garage. Let us learn more about this topic below.

Can a freezer be kept in an unheated garage? A freezer can be kept in an unheated garage but there are risks. If the temperature inside the garage drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the freezer will stop working efficiently and can get damaged when exposed to cold temperatures in the long run. When exposed to extreme cold, the compressor of the freezer will stop and the food inside will thaw and spoil.

There are a lot of things that you need to consider if you decide to keep a freezer in your garage and temperature is one of them. The temperature inside your garage will determine if it is a suitable location for the freezer or not. Below, we will discuss the different issues that can result from keeping a freezer in an unheated garage. Read the rest of the article below to learn more.

Can a freezer be kept in an unheated garage
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What are the Common Issues that a Freezer Encounter in an Unheated Garage?

Not working compressor and damaged insulation are some of the issues that a freezer can encounter when kept in an unheated garage. The freezer is not built to withstand the temperature changes of an unheated garage and can get damaged. Let us learn more about this below.

The Compressor Will Stop Working

One of the common issues that a freezer encounters in an unheated garage is that the compressor can stop working. The compressor is an important part of the freezer because it is the one that maintains its low temperature by increasing the internal pressure. If the temperature in the garage is lower as compared to that of the freezer, the compressor will stop working.

The cold temperature in an unheated garage prevents the compressor from properly operating. When this happens, the food inside the freezer will thaw because it will not get the required temperature for freezing. Not only you will need to replace the compressor, but the food will also spoil and you will end up throwing them away which is a waste of money.

The Insulation Can Get Damage

Another issue that a freezer encounters in an unheated garage is that the insulation can get damaged. The fluctuating temperature inside an unheated garage can lead to the build-up of frost in the insulation part of the freezer. This damage can be expensive to repair. With continuous exposure to the cold temperature, more frost can build up which lessens the ability of the insulation to keep out cold external temperatures. You need to watch out for this type of issue because it cannot be easily detected and often, it is discovered when the damage is already irreversible.

✅ Video – How to Reinsulate Fridge and Freezer Doors

ColdEh Marine shared the video below on YouTube. It discusses how to re-insulate fridge and freezer doors. If your freezer has damaged insulation, you must have it fixed immediately. You can always hire the services of a professional to handle the job for you. On the other hand, if you want to do some DIY fix, you can watch the video below for some tips and ideas.

What is the Ideal Temperature for a Freezer?

The ideal temperature for a freezer is below eighteen ° Celsius. This is an ideal temperature for the freezer because the food inside can stay fresh and will not deteriorate. When keeping the freezer in your garage, make sure that you have this temperature.

What are the Things to Consider When Keeping a Freezer in an Unheated Garage?

The things that should be considered when keeping a freezer in an unheated garage include temperature and humidity. These things will affect the function and efficiency of the freezer. Find out more about these things below.

Is it Humid?

One of the things that you need to consider when keeping a freezer in an unheated garage is humidity. When storing food, humidity is an issue. A humid garage can affect the parts of the freezer. Make sure that the garage is dry to avoid damage to the freezer.

What is the Temperature?

Another thing that you need to consider when keeping a freezer in an unheated garage is the temperature. The change in temperature that comes with the changing of the seasons and the climate can also affect the freezer. During the winter seasons when the temperature can get too low, the freezer will think that it reached the ideal temperature and will switch off which results in the food thawing up and getting spoiled.

Is it Okay to Keep the Freezer in an Unheated Garage During Winter?

It is not okay to keep a freezer in an unheated garage during winter. Take note that freezing temperatures are bad for the freezer because of the cold weather. The reason for this is that it can trick the freezer into thinking that it is already cold enough for the food and will stop working. If the outside temperature is below freezing, the thermostat of the freezer can shut off often or it can completely stop working.

Can an Extremely Hot Garage Temperature Damage the Freezer?

The freezer can get damaged when exposed to the extremely hot temperatures in the garage. The hotter the temperature inside the garage, the more the freezer has to work so that it can maintain an ideal temperature for the food inside. When the compressor works harder, it also consumes more energy and can raise your electric bill.

Bear in that mind that the garage freezer can consume up to 50% more electricity depending on where you live as well as the climate in your area. The good thing is that you can lower energy usage by insulating your garage. Nowadays, new models of freezers are more energy efficient. Make sure that you choose a freezer that uses less energy when you shop for one especially if you plan to keep it in your garage. You can also read this article that discusses if freezing temperatures will damage a refrigerator. We have shared helpful information that you can refer to.

Is it Ideal to Place a Deep Freezer in a Hot Garage?

It is not ideal to place a deep freezer in a hot garage because the high temperature can damage it. As long as your garage is insulated, you can keep a deep freezer because it will be protected from extreme temperatures. On the other hand, if you do not have an insulated garage, the temperature can spike up during summer and can affect the efficiency of the freezer, and makes it valuable to heat infiltration.

The hot temperature can raise the temperature inside the deep freezer and will cause stress on the cooling system of the unit. After long exposure to the hot temperature, the cooling system, as well as the other components of the deep freezer, can get damaged. We have also shared this article titled, can you keep a mini-fridge in the garage? You can check out the article for more tips and information.

Where is the Ideal Place to Keep a Chest Freezer?

The ideal place to keep a chest freezer is in the kitchen. It can also be placed in the garage, basement, and laundry rooms, as well as the rooms that are properly insulated. Bear in mind that the area where you place the chest freezer can affect how it works. The two factors that you need to consider when deciding where to place the freezer are heat and accessibility.

Can Freezers Stop Working When Exposed to Extreme Cold?

Freezers can stop working when exposed to extreme cold. This is a common issue that is encountered when the temperature drops below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. If the freezer is located in an area that experiences extreme cold, it is recommended that you move the freezer or you can cover it. If you are keeping the freezer in the garage, make sure that it is insulated. You can also check out this article that discusses if you can run a fridge with nothing in it. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed if a freezer can be kept in an unheated garage. We have found out that it is okay to keep a freezer in an unheated garage but there are risks that you need to be aware of. Temperature changes can affect the efficiency of the freezer. Moreover, when exposed to too extreme hot or cold temperatures, the freezer can get damaged and you will end up with an expensive repair, or worse, you need to replace it. Thank you for reading!

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