How to Keep a Garage Fridge From Freezing

Keep your refrigerator in the garage only if temperatures in your region remain within the range suggested by manufacturers for storing the appliance. Manufacturers typically include a warning in their user manuals, installation instructions or use and care guides that advises against placing refrigerators in a location where temperatures will fall below a certain point, often around 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Place the refrigerator against an interior wall shared by the house. If you have an attached garage, your appliance will benefit from the radiant warmth coming through the wall; however, if you live in an extremely cold area, this step alone is not sufficient to provide adequate protection for your refrigerator against freezing.

Heat your garage to provide an environment better suited to refrigerator use and storage. You can save money by heating the garage to just above the minimum recommended temperature, rather than to the same degree you heat the interior of your home. You may only need to heat the garage during nighttime temperature dips or unusually cold periods.

Upgrade to a refrigerator made for garage storage. Such models contain a built-in heater that warms the refrigerator compartment, causing the compressor to kick on to properly maintain temperatures in both the refrigerator and freezer compartments. This prevents the refrigerator compartment from freezing during extreme cold conditions. Check the manufacturer’s guidelines to determine the temperature range rating for the model in which you’re interested.