Is a garage fridge better than a regular fridge?

Author: Mr. Ike Heathcote  |  Last update: Tuesday, March 18, 2025

It's really efficient. Energy-efficient fridges are also typically designed with even better insulation than traditional refrigerators, and that's ideal in a garage environment.

Is it worth buying a garage ready refrigerator?

Yes, you want a garage ready fridge, primarily because your freezer will not run in the winter, and your frozen foods will melt/thaw. Now, you can simply plan around this and not use the freezer in the winter, or monitor it closely.

What's the difference between a house refrigerator and a garage refrigerator?

Designed for Temperature Fluctuations

Where a standard fridge might struggle with the highs of summer and the lows of winter in an uninsulated space, a garage refrigerator is equipped to handle such fluctuations.

Why do people keep fridges 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.

Does a garage fridge use much electricity?

Garage fridge energy consumption

An indoor refrigerator costs less annually to power than one in a garage. The average kitchen refrigerator costs $84, while the one in the garage costs $95 a year to operate. Energy consumption varies but tends to increase with: Larger-sized refrigerators.

Tips concerning garage refrigerators

Can I use a regular refrigerator in my garage?

Unless you live in a climate with consistent year-round temperatures and they fall within the manufacturer-recommended range of temperatures for running the appliance, using a regular fridge in the garage is a bad idea.

What is the most energy efficient refrigerator?

Models with the freezer on top tend to use the least energy (versus bottom freezers or side-by-sides). Consider buying a refrigerator with fewer doors. Fewer doors reduce the air leakage. To maximize your savings, minimize the number of doors and pay attention to cool air you can feel when you shut the doors.

Will a garage fridge work in the winter?

Refrigerators do not work as well in the cold as they were designed to work at room temperature. Most of the time, the freezer stops working before the fridge section does. One of the primary culprits behind a malfunctioning garage fridge in winter is the extreme cold temperatures that characterize the season.

How to keep a garage refrigerator cool in summer?

Keep it Filled

A fully stocked refrigerator has less room for warm air, so it helps the unit to maintain a cool temperature when it is opened on a hot day. If you don't need the full capacity of your refrigerator, consider putting gallon bottles of water inside to fill up the space.

Why can't you put a fridge in a garage?

If the garage space is uninsulated or too cold, the freezing temperatures will trick the freezer into thinking it has reached the desired level of refrigeration and it may fail to turn on, which could result in damage to the unit and food spoilage.

Who makes the best garage ready refrigerator?

The Whirlpool Garage Ready Bottom Freezer Refrigerator has it all, and it's our Best Overall for its durability, space optimization, and Energy Star ratings.

What do you store in a garage fridge?

If you tend to buy lots of fruits and vegetables, you may struggle to find space in your indoor refrigerator. You can store these bulk items in your garage fridge and keep your indoor appliance free for only what you'll need in the next day. This can also apply to other perishable items such as milk and juice.

Should I buy a high end refrigerator?

While standard refrigerators serve their purpose of keeping food cold, high-end refrigerators elevate this experience with superior materials, elegant styles, enhanced technology, and a longer lifespans. The question is, are they truly worth the investment? Here's why we say yes.

What makes a refrigerator a garage 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.

Is a Frigidaire a good refrigerator?

Frigidaire has built a solid reputation as a household name in the kitchen appliance industry. With a strong focus on energy efficiency and reliability, Frigidaire refrigerators offer exceptional quality and value for your money.

Does a garage ready refrigerator have more insulation?

There really isn't a right or wrong way to go here. If you bought a garage-ready fridge, it should be able to handle the extreme swings in temperature, from below freezing to hot, humid days. These fridges should have better insulation so the compressor doesn't burn out prematurely, especially in the hotter months.

Can I use a garage ready refrigerator in the house?

Designed to function within a broad range of ambient temperatures, this type of fridge can be kept in a garage, basement, guest house, vacation home, or even your primary kitchen. Most garage-ready models are also ideal starter fridges, since they're priced about the same as traditional top-freezer models.

Why is my garage fridge freezing everything?

If your fridge is kept in an unheated area like a garage, cold air could be coming into the fridge and causing everything to freeze.

What temperature should a garage fridge be set at?

The majority of refrigerators are only designed to work in environments that are between 50 degrees Fahrenheit and 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Some manufacturers will offer a garage kit, but that'll still only let your fridge work down to ambient temperatures of 35 degrees Fahrenheit.

Why is my garage fridge not cold?

If the refrigerator is running but not cooling at all or is not cold enough, several factors may influence the temperature. Check the following: Confirm surrounding air temperatures have been within 38-110°F. Extreme temperatures outside this temperature range will affect cooling, causing the unit to be less efficient.

Does it cost more to run a refrigerator in the garage?

The study found the average refrigerator in the kitchen today costs $84 a year while the average appliance in the garage costs $95 a year to operate.

Should you unplug an outdoor refrigerator in winter?

To winterize the outdoor refrigerator, turn off the appliance and unplug it.

What is the best refrigerator with the least problems?

Which refrigerator brand is most reliable? All three of the appliance experts we spoke to for this roundup said Whirlpool and LG were the most reliable refrigerator brands due to their durability, reliability and ease of repairs. Samsung and GE were also mentioned by our experts as high-quality fridges.

Is a top or bottom freezer better?

Bottom Freezer refrigerators generally offer more storage and organization options compared to Top Mount models. The pull-out drawer design of Bottom Freezers makes it easier to see and access stored items without having to reach over or dig through a single shelf.

Are bigger fridges more efficient?

“There's a tendency in our culture to see bigger as being better but that's not necessarily the case,” he says, adding that a larger fridge will not only cost more to buy but use more energy to run.

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