Can you keep a refrigerator outside in the winter?

Can you keep a refrigerator outside in the winter?

When in Doubt, Don’t Run the Risk Unless a fridge is kept in the stable conditions of your garage, winter weather runs the risk of damaging its compressor. You can keep your outdoor refrigerator or beverage cooler safely stored in your backyard patio or outdoor kitchen—despite living in rainy and snowy locations.

Why do refrigerators not work in the cold?

Refrigerators work by starting to cool whenever the room temperature rises above a set point – typically around 36 degrees – and stays running until the temperature returns to normal. This means that if the temperature in your garage drops and stays below this set temp, your refrigerator stops working.

Why shouldn’t you put food outside in the winter?

The USDA says that outside temperatures are inconsistent, causing chilled food to enter the “danger zone” of warmer than 40°F, allowing bacteria to grow, and frozen food could begin thawing. Food kept outside also could be exposed to animals and unsanitary conditions.

How cold weather affects outdoor refrigeration units?

Refrigeration compressor units that are installed outdoors must have cold weather controls to operate properly and maintain proper temperature in the cooler or freezer during the cold winter season. When it gets cold out the refrigerant pressures will drop too low due to the cold air passing through the condenser coil.

Can you leave a freezer outside in the winter unplugged?

During periods of extreme cold unplug the unit; the weather will keep your items frozen without risk of damage to the freezer. Install a “freeze stat” which is designed to turn off the power to the unit at pre-determined temperatures.

Is it bad to leave a fridge outside?

Below freezing, your refrigerator may even seize and stop working completely! So, like I said above: yes, you can move your fridge outside. However, there’s a reason why patio and garage refrigerators are typically relegated to beverages. You’ll likely experience some problems in the hotter and colder months.

Will a freezer work outside in the winter?

While some freezers are designed strictly for use indoors, many are engineered to withstand the temperature fluctuations and more extreme conditions found outdoors. Those living near the coast should avoid leaving a chest freezer outside due to the likelihood of corrosion from the salty air.

Why does my freezer not work in cold weather?

When the temperature there gets too high, air is sucked out of the freezer section bring it down. Then, the compressor (the noisy motor in the fridge) turns on to keep the freezer frozen. In freezing cold temperatures below 32ºF, the problem flips. It’s cold enough to keep everything frozen in the freezer.

How cold does it have to be outside to keep food frozen?

So in order for foods to freeze – and to stay frozen – they need to be at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if there’s sunlight then that needs to be accounted for, too. Because if there is sunlight, snow can still melt to some degree – even if it’s below 32 degrees outside.

Can you leave groceries in the car in winter?

We suggest not leaving your food in your vehicle for more than a few hours. The temperature can fluctuate quite a bit during the day, which can end up ruining your food.

Does outside temperature affect refrigerator?

As the ambient temperature rises, the refrigerator`s compressor runs more, to maintain the storage temperature in the fresh-food and frozen-food compartments. The lower the temperature goes, the worse the problem becomes. At about 38-to-42 degrees Fahrenheit, the compressor will not run at all.