Freezer In Un-Heated Garage

[jims-terrano]

Hi guys, quick question about freezers in garages. I know that a fridge freezer in a garage will defrost when the weather gets cold, maybe just cheaper devices with only one thermostat or something.
What about chest freezers? Can they cope with being in a garage in cold weather.

Cheers

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

Hi guys, quick question about freezers in garages. I know that a fridge freezer in a garage will defrost when the weather gets cold, maybe just cheaper devices with only one thermostat or something.
What about chest freezers? Can they cope with being in a garage in cold weather.

Cheers

Like you, I think freezers are OK, it's fridge freezers with only one compressor that can't go where the ambient temp will get too low.

We have had a small chest freezer out in the back of the ferret court (basically a posh shed) for several years now, and it has been fine, only problem is, if it does get below freezing for a few days, it ices up round the compressor area, and when the temp rises again, the ice melts and makes the floor wet for a few days.

 

[macabethiel]

Freezers in out houses a tale of several appliances!

For the last 14 years we have had a Frigidaire upright seperate Fridge & Freezer in our Garage, they both worked fine even in that cold winter about 7/8 years ago.

In November 2017 when we moved into temporary accommodation we took the Fridge with us putting it in an outbuilding as the kitchen was quite small - it worked fine.

When we moved back into our home last summer we left the fridge behind as it was cosmetically showing its age, by coincidence we were given a newish Samsung combined Fridge-Freezer unit.

After 14 years of faultless service the Frigidaire Upright freezer started to thaw out of its own accord so we replaced it (not worth repairing) with a Chest Freezer in October 2018. Although Beco seem to be specified as the main brand suitable for use in an outhouse we found that the Currys website has filters for such options so we bought the larger Indesit model as it was listed as suitable for out buildings, it has worked just fine this winter.

The Samsung Fridge-Freezer that we put in the garage however started to play up as we entered December, the Freezer would start to thaw out even though I had turned it up to the coldest setting. When I moved the Samsung Unit into my heated Office/Man Shed it worked fine again.

I was always sceptical about Freezers not working in out buildings but I have experienced this failure first hand with the Samsung Unit. I suspect that for a combined unit to work in an out building you would need a unit with dual compressors and fully independent controls.

Several firms list options for out buildings e.g.

https://markselectrical.co.uk/fridg...9YT6ThPx1t1DWAttZS_n8IiMVDR31a8hoCVxkQAvD_BwE

 

[solarman216]

There is no easy answer to this problem, it is all to do with how the machine is designed ie type of gas etc, some will cope with cold ambient, others will not, Rick

 

[panelbeater]

i have had a 20cf chest freezer outside under an open sided leanto for 20 years without any problems,got it from iceland when there was a sale on,its the one i use as a bench and used to put my qbes in to dewater,much abused but still going although the lid seel is poor and ices up,a quick deice with a blunt axe soon removes the ice around top.

 

[Banshee]

Pretty sure Uncle Rustic had a chest freezer in his garage but that was heated :nenau

 

[jims-terrano]

Pretty sure Uncle Rustic had a chest freezer in his garage but that was heated :nenau

And don’t forget the dehumidifier too :thumbs

The Mav is still enjoying that luxury too with an occasional jaunt out. His son will be using it this summer too so the truck is still being used and loved by uncles family.


Thanks for all the replies regarding freezer, looks like a chest freezer it is.

 

[Banshee]

And don’t forget the dehumidifier too :thumbs

The Mav is still enjoying that luxury too with an occasional jaunt out. His son will be using it this summer too so the truck is still being used and loved by uncles family.


Thanks for all the replies regarding freezer, looks like a chest freezer it is.

That's awesome news Jim, I hope he doesn't damage it!!! :nono

 

[macabethiel]

They made better Freezers back then.

i have had a 20cf chest freezer outside under an open sided leanto for 20 years without any problems,got it from iceland when there was a sale on,its the one i use as a bench and used to put my qbes in to dewater,much abused but still going although the lid seel is poor and ices up,a quick deice with a blunt axe soon removes the ice around top.

We had a second hand chest freezer that was originally from Iceland that we had when we were first married. We gave it away over 15 years ago and it was used as an overspill freezer at a small hotel. It is probably still working! As I recall it was quite heavy to lift, top used as a bench when we had it !