Can I Keep A Refrigerator In An Unheated Garage?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can I keep a refrigerator in an unheated garage?

Most refrigerators stop working at some point during the winter months in an unheated garage

, depending on climate and how well the garage is insulated. Most manufacturers do not recommend placing a refrigerator in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Does it hurt a refrigerator to be in a cold garage?


No, appliances left outside in extreme cold temperatures (below freezing) can create serious problems such as cracking pipes, water pumps, valves and drain lines

.

How do I keep my fridge from freezing in my garage?

Fridge Heaters

If your garage temperature dips below freezing, the thermostat inside the garage refrigerator’s freezer may think it’s cold enough and shut off. To work around this issue, you need to

heat the air around the thermostat

. One way is to install a heating coil around the thermostat.

Can you keep a refrigerator in the garage in winter?

Having a refrigerator in your garage is a great way to store extra and bulk food. While this can be beneficial,

most garage refrigerators stop working at some point during the winter if left unmanaged

.

Can you store a refrigerator in the garage?


Placing your refrigerator or freezer in the garage can help save on space, time and energy

. A freezer can also save you the extra money and time needed to make frequent trips to a grocery store. Your appliance will stay in good shape with maintenance scheduled with a qualified refrigerator repair service technician.

Do I need a special refrigerator for my garage?

To prevent problems,

buy a garage-ready fridge that can function efficiently when it gets bitterly cold and also stiflingly hot in your garage

. A refrigerator designed to run in a garage has better insulation and components that can handle temperature changes. This special design does make them a little more expensive.

Can you put a fridge in an uninsulated garage?


You can put a fridge in an uninsulated garage

, but temperature fluctuations in the garage can affect the fridge’s performance and ability to preserve the items inside it. Drastic temperature changes in the garage can also accelerate wear and tear for the fridge’s components.

Does cold weather affect refrigerator?

Winter weather can trick the compressor into thinking it doesn’t need to activate in order to cool (or heat) the contents of the fridge. This confusion

doesn’t cause damage to your fridge; however, it does result in spoiled food and beverages

.

Does cold weather affect fridge freezers?


Refrigerators do not work as well in the cold

, as they were designed to work in room temperature. Most of the time, the freezer stops working before the fridge section does. The thermostat is within the fridge compartment, rather than the freezer. Let’s say your fridge is set at 40 degrees.

Can you keep a freezer in an unheated garage in the winter?

Changes in temperature in an unheated garage can be hard on these appliances. “

You need to make sure that the unit is not exposed to temperatures above 110° F or below 0° F, because that may damage the freezer

,” says Larry Ciufo, who oversees the ratings for Consumer Reports’ freezer tests.

Can you leave a refrigerator unplugged for a year?

To Wrap It All Up

From what we found, you can typically leave a fridge unplugged for up to four hours with food inside.

If there isn’t food present, you are safe to unplug your fridge for months, even years

.

How do you winterize a refrigerator?

  1. Water supply. Turn off the water supply to your home.
  2. Turn Icemaker OFF. Turn all temperature settings and ice maker to the “OFF” setting.
  3. Clean the refrigerator. …
  4. Remove remaining water. …
  5. Disconnect power Cord. …
  6. Disconnect water line. …
  7. Pull unit away from the wall. …
  8. Unplug Unit.

What is the difference between a garage refrigerator and a regular refrigerator?

A loose marketing term but generally, it is intended to operate at lower and higher ambient temperatures. Normal freezers and refrigerators are usually in a house where the temperatures are fairly stable.

Garages can get much hotter and colder

. “Garage ready” freezers can operate from maybe 0–100 F.

What is a garage ready refrigerator mean?


The ability to handle hot or cold temperatures outside while maintaining an optimal temperature inside

makes a freezer garage ready. That means you can store your freezer in a cold or hot garage without worrying about the change in temperatures from 0°F to 110°F.

How do you make a refrigerator garage ready?

You may be able to solve your problem by

installing a “Frigidaire garage ready refrigerator kit,” a heating coil to warm the air around the thermostat

. The warmer air makes the compressor run longer and keeps frozen food, well, frozen. Check with the manufacturer to see if it makes one for your model.

What temperature is too cold for a refrigerator?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that you keep your refrigerator temperature at or

below 40°F

and your freezer temperature at or below 0°F. However, the ideal refrigerator temperature is actually lower. Aim to stay between 35° and 38°F (or 1.7 to 3.3°C).

What outside temperature is too cold for a refrigerator?

Extreme Temperatures Can Damage Fridge

Extreme temperatures can damage the compressor or sealed system.

Below 32 degrees Fahrenheit

, the oil could become thick and not circulate properly. Above 110 degrees Fahrenheit, the oil could overheat and break down.

Can we switch off refrigerator for 3 months?


Yes You Can

! Make sure you clean the refrigerator before leaving it alone to produce fungus and bacteria from leftovers. Wipe out water from it. Make sure your Refregiretor dosent have something that can decompose, because you are planning to turn it off for a month.

Is it OK to leave refrigerator unplugged for a month?

If you are going to be away for a month or less, we recommend the following:

Leave the refrigerator running

. Leave the temperature controls at the normal settings. If all the food is removed and you want to save energy, the temperature control may be set to a warmer temperature setting during the absence.

When should I unplug my fridge in my garage?

By unplugging the appliances for

the winter

not only will you reduce your risk of fire in the garage but you’re likely to save a couple bucks while you’re at it.

Do you need to winterize outdoor refrigerator?

Whether you own vacation property or simply have a patio or deck that features an outdoor refrigerator,

it is important to winterize this appliance to prevent severe mold and mildew growth from engulfing the fridge’s interior

.

How do you winterize a Frigidaire refrigerator?

  1. Turn off the water supply to the refrigerator at least 24 hours before winterizing the unit.
  2. Remove all food and beverages from the refrigerator.
  3. Engage the ice maker to purge all of the cubes. …
  4. Turn all temperature setting controls to “OFF.”

Do you have to winterize RV fridge?

Before storing your RV for the winter, you should perform maintenance on the refrigerator.

Every fall, defrost and clean the refrigerator and winterize the icemaker

; here’s how: After you turn off your fridge, remove everything inside and give it time to defrost. Then, eliminate any water that accumulates.

Does cold weather affect fridge freezers?


Refrigerators do not work as well in the cold

, as they were designed to work in room temperature. Most of the time, the freezer stops working before the fridge section does. The thermostat is within the fridge compartment, rather than the freezer. Let’s say your fridge is set at 40 degrees.

Does outside temperature affect refrigerator?

If you’re wondering whether room temperature affects your refrigerator, the answer is yes. You probably don’t have it in a space where the extreme temperatures will cause a breakdown, but you should be aware that

its efficiency will be affected by the ambient temperature

.

Do fridges work in the cold?

Can a fridge be damaged during the winter when the cottage heat is turned off? Yes, people run fridges in unheated spaces—such as garages—but those who get away with it are lucky.

A fridge isn’t meant to function when the outside air is colder than the air inside it

. Fridges cool food by moving heat outside.

How do you make a refrigerator garage ready?

You may be able to solve your problem by

installing a “Frigidaire garage ready refrigerator kit,” a heating coil to warm the air around the thermostat

. The warmer air makes the compressor run longer and keeps frozen food, well, frozen. Check with the manufacturer to see if it makes one for your model.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.