Using an indoor fridge outside

[LewisA]

Hello All,

I wanted to check in to see what the collective thoughts are on using an indoor fridge outside so long as it remains dry? I’m aware that the manufacturer's instructions suggest for indoor use only and that you can buy outdoor fridges for 4 x the price.

I’m guessing wear and tear is likely to be increased, as will electricity costs.

As for temperature variations, my indoor fridge regularly has to deal with 27c indoor temp during summer, and for low temps I will use a small electric greenhouse heater (regulated by something like an inkbird). I will also source the fridge second hand from LeBonCoin / facebook marketplace etc so not so worried about wear and tear?

Any thoughts?

 

[An Ankoù]

If it's fully sheltered from the rain like on a verandah or something like that, I should imagine it would be fine. The back should be up against a wall and that's the only side to really worry about. If it's open to the elements then the electrics are going to get wet. I would hope the heat insulation of the walls and door would be good enough to cope with anything but direct sunshine.
How are you going to get a power supply to it? This needs to be weatherproof, obviously.
How big a fridge do you need? I've got a small one to get rid of if you're anywhere near 56.

 

[Agentgonzo]

I wonder if larger temperature swings outdoors and damper conditions in the rain (even if covered) will result in dew/dampness collecting on the fridge and it causing either problems with the electronics or rusting of the structure.

 

[Buffers brewery]

Depends how you define "outdoors". I have 3 outdoor fridges. One fridge freezer in my garage. It's been there for +5 years with no issues. It's not exposed to rain but the garage has no heating and is well draughty. The other two are in my shed that has double skinned insulated walls. If you want to use a fridge safely "outdoors" I'd recommend building a weatherproof enclosure like a hut or shed.

 

[Cwrw666]

Depends what you mean by outdoors as others have said though you're even supposed to have special appliances if they're in an unheated shed.
Having said that our freezer is in an unheated shed and has been for 30 years and still works OK. My daughter on the other hand has her freezer on her back patio with a rough corrugated roof slung over it. Otherwise exposed to the elements but it still works OK.

 

[jof]

I have know people to have outdoor fridges under a car port too.
Don't expect them to last as long as in a garage or shed though.

Theirs was the kitchen cast off following a refit, but only lasted a few years outside before it went rusty on the bottom.

 

[The Baron]

My freezer in the garage is rated to -15c as they can stop working when it gets really cold.
Last winter one of my work colleagues said to me her fridge freezer in the porch had stopped working and was going to buy a new one until I said to warm the thermostat up first with a hairdryer as it probably was not used to low temps.
It is still going after warming up the thermostat it kicked in again and that is why you buy fridge freezers that can operate at lower temps such as a garage

 

[LewisA]

Thanks all for the responses. Yes when I say outside it will be under a veranda but the damp and rust issues will probably be unavoidable. There's an outside weatherproof plug so no problems there.

I live just outside of Paris (92) so won't hopefully need to worry about too extreme cold (thanks for the offer An Ankoù if I were closer I would have definitely taken you up on that).

Will see if I can pick up a reasonably priced or free unit and give it a go.

 

[Brew_DD2]

Thanks all for the responses. Yes when I say outside it will be under a veranda but the damp and rust issues will probably be unavoidable. There's an outside weatherproof plug so no problems there.

I live just outside of Paris (92) so won't hopefully need to worry about too extreme cold (thanks for the offer An Ankoù if I were closer I would have definitely taken you up on that).

Will see if I can pick up a reasonably priced or free unit and give it a go.

It'll likely not last as long as if it was indoors, but if you can get it pretty cheap/freezing then go for it. They're not as fragile as you might think. I have one in my garage, but it's gone through winters with the occasional -10c overnight.

 

[jof]

Make sure it's up out of wet & splash.
Would be ok on raised wooden decking, but might need to be raised if it's on a tiled floor so the base isn't sat on wet surface.

 

[LewisA]

Make sure it's up out of wet & splash.
Would be ok on raised wooden decking, but might need to be raised if it's on a tiled floor so the base isn't sat on wet surface.

It's a good point. I hadn't thought about this until you mentioned it. The concrete in the place where I was planning to store it is quite porous so it would have inevitably ended up getting damp and rotting out underneath.

 

[An Ankoù]

It'll be fine
Stop worrying. It's outside. There'll be a good flow of air under the unit and if it lasts you 2 or 3 years, you're quids in.
I've seen damper kitchens than I imagine your veranda to be.
I'd me more concerned about putting a padlock on the door to keep the thirsty locals from guzzling your homebrew.

 

[.Peter.]

No problem at all - I have large fridge/freezer outside under a tin roof and the ambient temperature can vary from 16 to 42C + at times humidity up to 90%

 

[The Baron]

It will be well usable for when you want it if it does stop working because of extreme cold weather I guess you will not be using it plus it will start up again once the temp rise within its operating temperature.
Just make sure it has plenty of air flow and it will be fine.
If it starts to show some rust get some smooth hammerite on it especially at the bottom underneath.
Buy a second hand one it will still lasts years. Granted mine is in the outside bar which is like a wooden building I gave £30 for that must be nearly 10 years ago and still going

 

[MashBag]

It's a good point. I hadn't thought about this until you mentioned it. The concrete in the place where I was planning to store it is quite porous so it would have inevitably ended up getting damp and rotting out underneath.

4 engineering bricks would do it.

 

[Kit-brewer]

Not the same, but in a similar vein. I have used a washing machine and tumble dryer stored outside for over 15 yrs in a gkeyer garden store. They are plumbed in and wired to an outdoor electric box installed by an electrician on their own circuit.
They do seem to last a little shorted than if kept indoors, more signs of rust, bells wearing out quicker. But overall given me loads more kitchen space in an already cramped room.
We also used to keep a freezer in a keter store outside too, again no issues other than excess ice build up.

 

[LewisA]

Thanks all for the feedback, spotted a fridge on LeBonCoin for the best price (free) so going to give it a go.

 

[MashBag]

Thanks all for the feedback, spotted a fridge on LeBonCoin for the best price (free) so going to give it a go.

It will be fine!

 

[MashBag]

Not the same, but in a similar vein. I have used a washing machine and tumble dryer stored outside for over 15 yrs in a gkeyer garden store. They are plumbed in and wired to an outdoor electric box installed by an electrician on their own circuit.
They do seem to last a little shorted than if kept indoors, more signs of rust, bells wearing out quicker. But overall given me loads more kitchen space in an already cramped room.
We also used to keep a freezer in a keter store outside too, again no issues other than excess ice build up.

Yeah... We did this is in static caravan. Worked like a charm.