You might be wondering if you can keep your garage fridge running in the winter. Having an extra fridge in the garage is a convenient addition because you can store bulk food for the winter season. Stocking up is important especially if you live far away from the grocery store. On the other hand, many people are curious if they can keep the garage fridge running in a cold environment. Will the cold temperature damage the fridge? Read the rest of the article below to find out more about the topic.
How do I keep my garage fridge running in the winter? You can keep your fridge running in the winter by making sure that it is at the right temperature. Learning about how your refrigerator operates is important when it comes to safely and successfully keep one in the garage. It is also recommended that you choose a garage-ready refrigerator that is specifically made to handle the extreme garage temperature.
How can you keep the garage fridge running during the winter or cold season? Will a refrigerator work in a cold garage? Why does your fridge stop working in the winter? Can you keep a fridge in the garage during the winter? These are some of the questions that we will discuss. To learn more about how to keep the garage fridge running in the winter, read the rest of the article below.
on PexelsWill My Fridge Work Efficiently in a Cold Garage?
Your fridge may not work efficiently in a cold garage. Extreme cold temperatures can affect the thermostat of the fridge. When the temperature in your garage drops to a certain level, the thermostat of the fridge will sense the temperature change and will think that the fridge is cold enough and stop working. Because of this, the food inside the fridge will defrost and spoil.
Moreover, if the garage temperature gets reaches a below-freezing point, the contents of the fridge can freeze. To solve this issue, you can use place a heating coil over the thermostat of the fridge. Nowadays, you can find a wide array of heating coils that are made to fit the fridge thermostat.
Tips on How to Keep Your Garage Fridge Efficiently Running in the Winter Season
Adding insulation, inspecting the fridge for signs of thawing and frost build-up, checking the heater and temperature range, and making sure that the door seals are properly working are some of the things that you can do to make sure that your garage fridge efficiently runs during the winter season.
Take note that fridges have an optimal operating temperature range of between 68 and 71 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping the fridge in a cold or unheated garage can expose it to temperatures that are outside of its normal operating range. Below are some tips on how to keep your garage fridge running in the winter.
Adding Insulation
One of the most effective ways to keep your garage fridge running in the winter is to add insulation. Insulating your garage helps regulate the temperature inside the room. Aside from making sure that the fridge runs efficiently, adding insulation to your garage will also improve the energy efficiency of your home.
Check for Any Signs of Thawing
You also need to check the fridge for any signs of thawing. The fridge will start to cool if the temperature inside the room rises above a set point which is usually around 36 degrees. It will continue running until the temperature returns to normal. Hence, if the garage temperature drops and stays below the set temperature, the fridge will shut off. As a result, the food will thaw and start to spoil.
Watch Out for Frost Build Up
Another thing that you need to do to make sure that your fridge runs efficiently in the winter is to watch out for frost build-up. See to it that you regularly defrost the fridge. Bear in mind that the more ice the freezer section has, the more energy it will consume. Check if the ice inside the freezer is more than 1 cm thick and defrost it.
Look for a Heater
For the fridge to run even if it is exposed to cold temperature, it needs to have an internal heater that will keep it at a controlled temperature. You can purchase one for your garage fridge so that they can efficiently operate even if you placed them in an unheated garage. On the other hand, you can also look into heater-coil kits that you can add to the fridge. An internal heating element is important for the fridge to properly run in cold temperatures.
Check the temperature Range
You also need to check the temperature range of the fridge. Most fridges have only one thermometer that is found in the fresh-food section. The thermometer is responsible for making the temperature and also tells the fridge to start cooling. However, some fridges feature two thermometers with one in the fresh-food section and another in the freezer section. For your garage, it is best to choose a fridge with two thermometers. This is because they have a wider temperature range which allows them to handle fluctuating temperatures.
Inspect the Door Seals
The door seals of the fridge should work properly. If you see any condensation on the outside of the fridge, then it is a sign that the seals are not properly working. Take note that if the door seals are not properly working, it can lead to energy loss. This is because cold air escapes and the fridge need to work harder. You can do a paper test to see if the door seals are working properly. To do this, close the fridge door with a piece of paper. If the door is well-sealed, the paper will not fall off and it will not slide around.
Choose a Garage-Ready Fridge
If you are looking for a fridge that you can place in the garage, then you should choose a garage-ready refrigerator. These fridges come with a wide operating temperature range. Hence, they can work much better even if the temperatures inside the garage drop below freezing. Moreover, garage-ready refrigerators feature an internal heater that ensures that the fridge is always working at a controlled temperature. You can also read this article that discusses what kind of freezer is best for the garage. We have shared helpful information that you can refer to.
Why Does the Fridge in the Garage Shut Off in the Winter?
The fridge in the garage shuts off in the winter because they are designed to work at room temperature and the cold garage keeps them from working. If the fridge’s thermostat is set to 36 degrees and the temperature in the garage drops down to 30 degrees, the fridge will think that it has already reached the proper level of refrigeration and will shut off.
✅ Video – Refrigerator Not Working in Your Garage? Here’s Why
Bill Newberry shared the video below on YouTube. It discusses why the refrigerator in the garage is not working during the winter. There are many issues that you might encounter when keeping a fridge in a cold garage. Learn more about this by watching the video below.
Can You Place a Regular Fridge in the Garage?
It is not recommended that you place a regular fridge in the garage because they are not built to withstand the temperature changes. Unless you live in an area that has a consistent temperature all year, and if the temperature falls within the recommended range that is recommended by the manufacturer, keeping a regular fridge in the garage should be avoided. We have also shared this article titled, what temperature is too warm for a refrigerator? You can check out the article for more tips and information.
Can A Weatherproofed Fridge be Kept in the Garage?
A weatherproofed fridge can be kept in the garage. Any type of fridge that is weatherproof or outdoor rated can withstand winter conditions. On the other hand, you need to bear in mind that the compressor will still work hard especially when the temperatures drop to extreme degrees and stays there for some time.
Moreover, to be considered weatherproof, the fridge should be 304 food-grade stainless steel or higher. The material is rust and corrosion-resistant. Outdoor fridges are also designed with additional weatherproofing features that protect them against snow, rain, and heat.
Is it OK to Put a Fridge in an Unheated Garage during the Winter?
It is not OK to put a fridge in the garage during winter. You need to learn how your fridge functions so that you can decide if it is suitable for the garage or not. If the garage temperature drops below freezing, the food can spoil. You can also check out this article that discusses how to winterize your outdoor refrigerator. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
Conclusion
You have reached the end of this article that discusses how to keep the garage fridge running in the winter. We have shared above some tips on how to make sure that the garage fridge runs efficiently during the winter season. It is also recommended that you use a garage-friendly refrigerator for the garage. This type of fridge is built to withstand various temperatures so you can rest assured that it will not stop working in the winter and the food stays fresh. Thank you for reading!