Fridge/freezer for garage?

mrs_motivated

I am looking for a fridge freezer, which is designed to be used in the garage. I don't mind what it looks like as it will be a spare, for extra freezer space and weekend fridge overspill.

I know that most fridge freezers will breakdown quickly outside, but surely there must be a model suitable for this?

tlh858

It's not the fact that they will break, but that the majority of them are not designed for use in low temperatures such as those found in a garage and simply won't work.

Most require an ambient temperature of at least 10C, this is often specified in the instructions.

The reason being that if the ambient temperature is too low, the fridge part will always be cold enough, as it's basically the same temperature as the outside air. Hence the compressor never turns on, the freezer section defrosts and everything inside it is ruined.

A possible solution is a separate fridge and freezer, or one with separate compressors, but plenty of those are also unsuitable for use in low temperatures.

A far better solution which will also save money is not to have one - easily achieved by buying less food for the fridge, or buying alternatives to frozen stuff.

McKneff

~When I was looking for one it was recommended to me that Beko products are suitable for the garage.

Google it.

meer53

I can't use my fridge freezer in my shed in the winter. When it gets really cold, the freezer cuts out and everything defrosts. No problems in summer at all. Chest freezers are ok in sheds/garages but i wouldn't risk a fridge/freezer unless it specifies it can be used in outbuildings. Most are designed for indoor use only.

mrs_motivated

tlh858 wrote: »

It's not the fact that they will break, but that the majority of them are not designed for use in low temperatures such as those found in a garage and simply won't work.

Most require an ambient temperature of at least 10C, this is often specified in the instructions.

The reason being that if the ambient temperature is too low, the fridge part will always be cold enough, as it's basically the same temperature as the outside air. Hence the compressor never turns on, the freezer section defrosts and everything inside it is ruined.

A possible solution is a separate fridge and freezer, or one with separate compressors, but plenty of those are also unsuitable for use in low temperatures.

A far better solution which will also save money is not to have one - easily achieved by buying less food for the fridge, or buying alternatives to frozen stuff.

Thanks, but I really do need one. I am downsizing following divorce, and losing a larger American fridge freezer, plus a garage chest freezer. My new house only has a built in undercounter fridge and freezer. I have two hungry teenagers at home, an older daughter who often stays with her boyfriend and lots of friends who regularly drop by for the weekend or dinner, so I could really do with the space.

I also work full time, so prefer to do a weekly shop and batch cook, freezing things to prepare quickly in the week.

I guess separate fridge and freezer would be a solution but would prefer a combined one, if there is a model

mrs_motivated

McKneff wrote: »

~When I was looking for one it was recommended to me that Beko products are suitable for the garage.

Google it.

Thank you. I have looked on the website and you are right, Biko do a model, cheap too:T

snowdrop1967

It is worth looking at John Lewis website as they do a guarantee with their own chest freezers for a garage. We previously had a Beko upright freezer which was suitable for the garage but it only lasted just over a year. We decided it was worth spending a bit more for a better guarantee. Hope this helps.

mrs_motivated

Yes I will look at John Lewis too. Beko don't seem to have a good reputation, just don't want to pay a fortune for the garage.

Was your beko just a freezer or a fridge freezer?

kwatt

If you look at the climate rating on the Beko's you'll see that they fall into the ones outlined here, none of which currently sold will work in low temperatures.

I don't know whether they will or won't work but I'd be wary as they may well work a few degrees lower but, from a technical standpoint, it's at best difficult.

Some of the Bosch ones even had heaters in them IIRC to try to fool the fridge freezer into working at one point. Didn't work either when the temperature got really low.

Essentially, no appliances are designed to work in less than about 10˚C as you get all sorts of issues with dampness etc.

K.

iharding

It's worth searching local gumtree or ebay (limit the search to a 10 mile radius from your postcode) for second hand fridges and freezers. Some will be old and grotty, but it only took me about a month of being patient to find a spotlessly clean A-rated under counter freezer for the garage. The seller was about a mile away. Total cost £30 plus small amount of petrol. It's been quite happily humming away in all weathers since late last winter.

I'd agree with what the others have said about separate fridge and freezer to avoid unwanted defrosting.

Ian