FridgeFreezer in unheated room

Corncrake2

I must be the only person on the planet by now that was unaware that modern fridge/freezers were (usually) unsuitable for use in outhouses !
We have always kept our fridges and freezers etc. in outhouse or sheds, the one that we have just replaced must be about 25years or more old, so it didn't owe us anything.

So what, I am wondering, can I do about our new one that requires an ambient of at least 16C according to the manual but 10C according to "Customer Services" who advise to turn on the fast freeze function but that is going to cost a fortune to run all winter and in any case the manual says to switch off the ff after 24hrs.
Even if I bring it into the small unheated kitchen (the only place it can reasonably fit) there will be a problem come wintertime.
Heck, it is only 14.5C now in there and it's midsummer !!!

I've been reading threads all over the place about this problem and came across this post http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=3009250&postcount=20
in which it is suggested to turn on the interior light all the time to provide a little warmth in the fridge to keep the thermostat active.

Has anyone tried this ?
Does it work ?
Probably be more economic than the fast freeze option ?

yangptangkipperbang

http://www.whitegoodshelp.co.uk/freezer-defrosted-can-you-put-a-fridge-feezer-in-a-garage/

I have kept freezers in my garage for donkeys years - no problem.

meer53

I have a fridge freezer in my shed. I can't use it in the winter as the freezer knocks off once it gets too cold. I use it in the summer for beer, wine etc and anything that i can't get in my fridge freezer in my kitchen but it's absolutely no good in winter. Chest freezers are more suited to sheds/garages.

jhe

i have a whirlpool chest freezer bought a few year back, its not supposed to be used in outbuilding but i keep it in a sectional garage, have had some severe coldweather since we bought it but its still going strong. i was advised to stand it on carpet.

Corncrake2

Thanks guys, the problem is with fridgefreezers, not freezers, sorry although I put that in the title I was not clear about it in the text. And now it is too late for a chest freezer unless I scrap the new fridgefreezer !

meer53 wrote: »

I have a fridge freezer in my shed. I can't use it in the winter as the freezer knocks off once it gets too cold.

Thanks, does not bode well for mine then
When you say "too cold" have you noted what that temperature is that it fails at, ie. very close to freezing , or 5C or 10C, I have seen varying reports on the web.

Innys

If you get the right model, a fridge/freezer can work well below zero.

Here's one, for starters:

http://www.beko.co.uk/Item/CDA543F#features

Corncrake2

Innys wrote: »

If you get the right model, a fridge/freezer can work well below zero.
Here's one, for starters:
http://www.beko.co.uk/Item/CDA543F#features

Yer, if I had known that 2 weeks ago all would be different ,,,,

when the wx gets colder I think I will try some experiments with a small light inside the fridge section ( perhaps on an interval timer so as not to set the thermostat on all the time) if I cant find anyone with experience.

Innys

I suggest you go back to your supplier and ask them if they will exchange the ff for one that can be used in the cold - especially as the one you have is pretty much brand new.

They are under no obligation to do so and may well charge you for the privilege but it's worth a try.

If they refuse, perhaps flog it in the small ads and buy a model like the one I posted. If you stick with the one you have and try to make do you'll always be wondering if it is still running or not.

Marmiter

Yikes!
I didn't know this either, we have a Hotpoint FF in a small outside shed (think it used to be an outside loo?) which is attached to the kitchen.
It's on it's last legs anyway, so we were looking to replace, so I will bear this in mind when shopping for a new one.

Corncrake2

Innys wrote: »

try to make do you'll always be wondering if it is still running or not.

Yes I agree that is a problem. The temporary work around for that is that I have a (ex-laboratory) max-min thermometer in it. I plan to look at that each day or even twice a day if I get paranoid ! That will avoid the problem of unnoticed multiple thaw-freeze cycles.
I plan to add a freezer alarm gizmo, cant decide between a cheap wired one or a more expensive wireless one.
[How do they do wireless through the metal of the walls I wonder ?]

Come winter time :
I will remove it from the cold/freezable outhouse into the kitchen (which doesnt reach freezing ! but does get below 16C)
If it does not work there and if a fool-the-thermostat fix is too much trouble then, yes, it will be disposed of.

I still need to find someone who has tried the fool-the-thermostat mlarky

zax47

You need a model with twin thermostats, one for fridge and one for freezer. The cold ambient temp problem happens when the ambient temp in your outhouse/garage drops below the fridge temp (typically around 4 degrees C), the fridge decides it doesn't need to work and turns off. If you have just one thermostat this turns off EVERYTHING, freezer as well, until the ambient temp increases. If you have a twin thermostat model then the freezer will stay on and freezing despite the fridge being "off".

Most specifications will say if it is a twin thermostat model.