Will a fridge work in an unheated area like a garage?

[soupfiend]

I need a tall larder fridge to be kept in a side return which is not insulated but has doors either end and a roof. It can get warm in the summer.

I know with a freezer you have to have a particular operating range or get a freezer to be ok in a garage (we currently have a fridge freezer in the space that I want to change to a fridge)

But a fridge on its own, will it cause problems if the room becomes really cold?

We have problems at the moment with things freezing at the back of the fridge but I dont know if that is because its old or not maintained well or because its a fridge freezer

I need a fridge out there now, not a fridge freezer so I dont want it fixed, Im just mindful I dont want to pay hundreds of pounds for my lovely new fridge (that I will now be using, I dont use it at the moment) for all my food to spoil because its frozen and ruined.

Yes... It is an unheated conservatory/ utility. We live in an area where there are a significant number of days that it dips below 0 Deg in each year. It has been really reliable. Previously we went through a fridge every 2 years.

We have a tall fridge freezer in a shed outside . We put insulation board behind it and it seems to be ok so far

I've had to chuck away a whole fridge freezer full of food in winter as I didn't know normal ones don't work in cold temps. We just use ours in the summer now for beer and bbq food. It stops working at 5° and below

I have a fairly old larder fridge in my garage. I keep a fridge thermometer in it at all times and check it regularly. I've never had any issues with it.

We've always had a fridge and a deep freeze in the outside garage. For like 30 years ! Never occurred to me that we couldn't tbf

Can ou give me the model number, thanks

I have a fridge freezer in my garage that copes nicely. Though I did pick one that says it works in garages, and my boiler is also out there, so helps keep it less cold.

I have a spare under counter fridge I keep in my garage and I just use it as a drinks fridge to keep cans and wine in. I don't use it for most of the year just at Xmas and if I'm hosting a BBQ in the summer.

@soupfiend Sure I can .. it will be tomorrow because I am tucked up in bed now.

Fabulous, thank you, Im googling like mad but cant find one so that would be great

We have a freezer in the garage that works just fine there.

Wouldn’t have a fridge in the garage though as certain food would get too cold like salads.

Something in one of your posts struck me as a little odd. You say you're turning the dial up in the fridge to get it warmer in order to stop veg freezing.
Doesn't turning the dial UP make the fridge colder?
If things are freezing,don't you need to turn the dial down?

Being in an outbuilding is not what is causing the freezing of your food. As @Unescorted said, the issue is if it's too cold in your outbuilding the fridge will struggle to keep your food cool.

My parents had this problem. A lot will depend on when you use the fridge, what you use it for and where you live. If you're in the north of Scotland you'll have problems year round because the ambient temperature never gets very high, if you're in Cornwall you'll probably only have problems in the depths of winter.

We've had a fridge and/or freezer in our garage for 20 years no problem! It's an integrated garage, so possibly a bit warmer than a standalone garage.

I don’t think we can compare Britain to Australia in these circumstances. One problem will be that the fridge will cost more to run as it will need to work harder. This will also lead to it wearing out sooner. You will have to make sure the room is well insulated as well as well ventilated. Any damp will cause damage. So much depends on how cold it gets. You may need a small heater to make it work efficiently. This of course does not make economic sense. If money is no object it will work.

Im turning which ever way it is to get it warmer, the higher numbers are to get it colder arent they?

So Im turning it lower to get it warmer, ie turning it up.

Well in the winter we use a dehumidifier in there because of getting the washing dry, the washing dries out there most of the year but when its cold and damp outside we use a dehumidifier

Not sure if that would make any difference

And to answer a PP we have never had a problem with the fridge part being too warm at all, its always too cold.

Higher numbers make it warmer I think?

No the higher numbers are to turn it down (make it colder)

Ours works all year except in winter. We stop using the fridge section (the freezer is fine); it keeps food far too cold. This isn't bad for quickly cooling drinks, but if they are in there too long, they freeze and explode.

obviously would be best to contact the actual manufacturer to confirm the claim it is suitable for use in an outbuilding, but comparison sites do list such larder fridges even without including the much more expensive "outdoor" fridges/
Here is a random google search result (larder fridge suitable for use in outbuildings uk):
Our 10 Best Fridges Suitable For Outbuildings - Christmas 2024 | BestProductsReviews.co.uk

this website also give a basic explanation of what makes them suitable and lists a few options, although I have no idea if their price is "reasonable"
When can you put your fridge in the shed? - Coolblue - anything for a smile

Thanks I found that site last night but half of them are fridge freezers and Im looking for a fridge and the 2 first ones dont say they are suitable for outbuildings but Im still researching as the information is scant

This is the one time to look at Beko. They work at -15 degrees, or at least they did a few years back.

so "half" of them are larder fridges and as I said you need to check the technical spec, not just take that site's word they are listing only outbuilding ones

as for the second site the same applies again, they include both larder and "American" fridges