Because the compressor is on the exterior of the unit, exceptionally cold temperatures may cause a build-up of ice or reduce the viscosity of the oils used to lubricate moving parts. Any of these may result in compressor failure or malfunction resulting in a costly repair.
And if your garage is insulated and climate-controlled, it's fine to put a freezer there. You just want to make sure the space is dry. Keep the freezer away from windows and out of direct sunlight, because that makes it work harder to maintain the right interior temperature.
A garage ready chest freezer is built to handle extreme external temperatures while maintaining an optimized internal temperature. These freezers will usually include “garage ready” in the product name or will list it as a specification.
A shed is classed as an outbuilding. Very few (if any) domestic appliances are rated for use in outbuildings (and that includes garages). That said, short term, a decent fridge of freezer will work OK in a shed. Just don't keep it out there for years on end.
Internal components of garage ready chest freezers are properly designed for and tested to help ensure that they can handle the higher and lower temperatures of the outdoor environment.
Extreme heat and humidity can cause the freezer to work even harder to keep your food cool, resulting in premature wear and tear on system components and excessive energy bills. Enhance the performance and lifespan of your outside chest freezer with these tips: Provide shade and cover from rain and snow.
For a freezer to function correctly in an unheated area such as a garage or outbuilding depends on a couple of things: The climate class rating for that freezer. Whether it has any special technology that allow it to keep working in low ambient air temperatures.
A chest freezer should also be kept away from heat sources such as direct sunlight, ovens and radiators. These will raise the atmospheric temperature adjacent to the chest freezer forcing it to work harder to maintain its temperature. This will lead to higher energy consumption which can be considerable over time.
Chest freezers are not designed or built to hold water. If you read through enough appliance forums, you will find that rust is a very common problem when chest freezers are being used for their intended purpose-food storage.
Keeping a refrigerator outside in the heat is not recommended, as it is unlikely to perform as well as it would in cooler conditions. Even if you have an outdoor refrigerator or freezer, it is still not advisable to keep it in the heat for extended periods.
Freezer Technology Suitable For Garage Storage
Designed to work in lower temperatures, some freezer models from Beko, Blomberg, and Fridgemaster are guaranteed to keep functioning efficiently in an environment as chilly as -15°C.
Do not install the freezer near an oven, radiator, or other heat source, nor in a location where the temperature will fall below 40°F or exceed 110°F. Allow at least 3" (7.5 cm) of air space at the top and on both sides of the freezer and 2" (2.5 cm) between the back of the freezer and the wall.
The outside of the freezer may feel warm; this is normal. The freezer's design and main function is to remove heat from the contents and air inside the freezer. The heat is transferred to the room air, making the outside of the freezer feel warm.
The fridge-freezer should not be in a conservatory or otherwise in direct sunlight. Such locations are likely to exceed 40°C on warm sunny days.
Power Outages: During and After
The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.
Refrigerators and Freezers
If your refrigerator or freezer was submerged in flood water, it should be replaced. Refrigerators and freezers contain insulation that could be wet if the units were under water. This insulation is difficult to reach without destroying the cabinet of the unit.
If you suspect your freezer is too cold, check the temperature. Most newer freezers have a built-in thermometer, or you can buy one and place it in the freezer. The ideal temperature for your freezer is 0 degrees Fahrenheit, but -10 to -20 degrees Fahrenheit should be fine.
The ideal freezer temperature
The ideal temperature for most household freezers is 0°F (-18°C) or lower. At this temperature, food can be safely stored for an extended period without compromising its quality.
For non-insulated spaces, we recommend a model with a maximum ambient temperature of 38°C or higher. That way, your freezer will still work if the sun shines on your shed or garage all day long during a hot summer day.
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.
So it completely depends on what you cover. But: A rubberised cover is pretty weak compared to the insulation already in the freezer. Add to that the chance of accidentally blocking a heat-dissipating part, potentially making the freezer less efficient, I'd say leave it be.
No, appliances left outside in extreme cold temperatures (below freezing) can create serious problems such as cracking pipes, water pumps, valves and drain lines.
Make sure to find a place at home that has little to no humidity. A space with more humidity will require more energy to cool since the water molecules in the air also require cooling. It will also work in your favour to find a cool room so that you don't need to set the temperature of your deep freezer too low.
Once the unit is in the house you should: Leave the appliance to sit for 3 hours. Then plug it in and switch it on. It should then be left overnight to stabilize before putting any fresh food into it.