Do you spend all your free time in the garage? Is your idea of a quiet evening working on a project? If you find that your company tends to gravitate to your newly remodeled garage space, then it might be time to think about adding a refrigerator.
With a cooler in the outdoor space, there is less dirt, mud, and water to get on the floors of your house. When you are done working or partying, then you can simply use the shop broom and sweep up any mess in the garage without tracking it all inside.
Best Refrigerator For Garage: Comparison Table & Main Features
No matter what you use your garage for, the chances are that if you are spending time in it, a refrigerator is a convenient thing to have nearby. We think that you will find a favorite pick from our Top Eight Refrigerator for Garage List. This Buyer’s Guide may answer some questions you might have about choosing a refrigerator for your needs.
[amazon table=”649″]Best Refrigerator for Garage: Buyer’s Guide
Function
Selecting a cooler might be easiest when thinking about what you want to use it for the most.
- Do you plan to store drinks only, or is your refrigerator the place everyone will gather when coming to visit?
- Do you intend to party and serve tons of food or have events several times each year?
- Do you have a big garden and like to can or freeze your produce, or do you find deals so often that you need somewhere else to store your booty?
Someone that tinkers around in the garage might find that the Cooluli Concord Cooler is a fantastic help to cut down the running in and out of the house all the time.
Having a refrigerator in the garage is especially useful when you have young children or someone sleeping on another shift when you are awake and working on a project. One of the larger refrigerators like the Midea model might work best for people that buy food in large quantities or have big families. We like that the biggest models hold enough food to host an event without running inside the house a million times to get everything when you would rather spend time catching up with your guests.
Size
When you only have a small space to put a refrigeration unit, then you may like that the Classic Ford Cooler will fit well on a stand or table. You may want to make sure your stand is sturdy enough to hold the weight of your unit before you decide where to put it. Should you have space for a larger refrigerator in your garage. Then you might like that the Black and Decker, Cooluli, Midea, and Nostalgia models all have reversible doors letting you fit them into any garage space. The Coca-Cola refrigerator has a freezer and the largest cooling space on our list. The RFR329 and RCA models each have the largest interior space too.
Best Refrigerator For Garage: Additional Features
| 1. Temperature control | Do you plan to store a variety of items in your refrigeration unit? Is your garage the source of the best parties on this side of the railroad tracks? If you plan to store numerous things in your refrigerator, then you might want to choose a cooler with a thermostat otherwise you may find that your fruit freezes before you get a chance to peel it, and the fish for tonight is hard as a brick before noon. |
| 2. Mobility | Do you like to wheel your drinks with you when you have to stand attention at the grill? Is a cold beer all you want to think about after a long week at work? We understand, so we suggest that you select the RFR329 refrigerator when you want to take the party with you. All you might need is a long extension cord to reach your grill. You can even use the top of the cooler to set your plate and utensils. A cold drink is beside you any time you need to cool off. |
| 3. Adjustable door and shelves | The main shelves and door shelves on a garage fridge tend to be adjustable, so that the user can customize the inside to suit their needs, for example by adding additional compartments. Special dispensing systems and racks that hold cans and bottles of various sizes or door shelves with space to store tall wine bottles are available. |
| 4. Design | Is your garage about to undergo a transformation? Are you looking for a refrigerator to complete your garage renovation? If you are the laid-back person that loves vintage styles, then you might like the Nostalgia Coca-Cola or Ford Classic cooler. The Nostalgia model is the largest, and it has a freezer. The Ford cooler is a smaller unit with room for drinks and small items. |
| 5. Ease of cleaning | If you think you might use your garage refrigerator often, then you might want to consider products that come clean fast, and easy. We like that the RCA and Black and Decker refrigerators have glass shelves that you are quick to disinfect after a spill. The Nostalgia Coca-Cola is one of the largest picks, and it has glass shelves. Our favorite option for easy to clean is the Cooluli Concord Cooler because it is ultra-versatile and functional. The super compact size makes wiping up a snap. |
With the variety of cooler choices in our Top Eight List of Best Refrigerator for Garage List, we feel that you might find something that fits right into your style and space. We recommend choosing a refrigerator with temperature control if you plan to store anything besides drinks in it. This way you can prevent freezing things that you want to keep cool. We like that this Top Eight List has a variety of refrigerators so that you can choose something that fits into your design and function.
Refrigerator Freezer Is Not Working in Your Garage: Why?
Every year when the temperature gets down below 40 for a period of time, all customer Services getting thousands of phone calls a week on your freezer not working, but the refrigerator section working in a refrigerator similar to this that’s in your garage. So let’s explain why.
What we have here is the back section of the refrigerator and they’re all basically the same. You have your freezer control, which there’s not actually a thermostat attached to that. That basically controls the amount of air that goes from the freezer compartment down to the refrigerator section, and that’s through that little channel right there. As you turn the knob, it opens and closes the channel. Real quick, basically how that works is an ideal situation, your refrigerator is in a 70-degree environment. On average, this machine’s going to run 50% of the time. Now the thermostat’s located in a refrigerator compartment, so 50% of the time this machine is going to the freezer’s going to kick on. That’s where the cold air is basically made. A small portion of that air goes down to the refrigerator to make that thermostat happy. By running 50% of the time in a 70-degree environment, the freezer temperature usually stays around zero degrees.
Let’s say you turn this to just cold, which is the warmer end of the dial instead of colder. We’re over here on the cold. What that does, allows more air to go from the freezer down to the refrigerator. Technically the machine is going to run a little bit less because that thermostat down in a refrigerator compartment is getting more air. Maybe it’ll run 45% of the time, but because of that, your freezer temperature is going to be maybe five, maybe 10 degrees. There’s nothing in the freezer that can detect temperature when almost every top freezer refrigerator.
If you flip this over to colder, that restricts the amount of air that goes from the freezer down to the refrigerator compartment. In a 70 degree environment, normally the machine’s going to run 50% of the time. Now it’s going to run 55, 60% of the time because not as much air is going down to the refrigerator. So now your freezer temperature’s actually going to be a little bit colder than zero. Maybe -5, -10 degrees. That’s basically how that works.
Video: Refrigerator Not Working in your Garage? Here’s Why
What Happens If It’s In an Old Garage?
Let’s say you put your refrigerator out in a 40-degree environment. Because there’s nothing in the freezer to tell that it’s above zero, above 30, whatever, now if your refrigerator’s in a 40-degree environment, that thermostat’s basically where it needs to be, so this machine is not going to kick on and run. It might run 5% of the time. If it’s only running 5% of the time, you basically have a big refrigerator.
If it’s 40 degrees outside for a week, your whole machine’s going to be about 40 degrees. Now this will always stay where it needs to be unless it gets colder, but the freezer is not going to run as much as it needs to, to send the air down below, because it doesn’t have to. It’s outside in the cold environment.
You might find that your energy bills are a little lower when you have refreshments outside for the kids to grab while playing.
Instead of running in and out of the door constantly, you know that your little ones have plenty of bottled water, fruit juice, and healthy snacks within reach.
Perhaps your garage is now your zen oasis. In this case, you can stock up on heavenly treats for yourself or your friends that like to do yoga or meditate with you.
We give you our Top Eight Refrigerators for the Garage in this blog post. We were careful to choose items that offer more than one use, have functions that you might love, and fit in many garages. Our buyer’s guide will answer the most pressing questions about using a refrigerator in your garage. Whether you want one to make your building transformation complete or functionality is your goal, we have several options that you might like for your property.
Best Refrigerator For Garage: FAQs
Can any fridge be used in a garage?
Most refrigerators stop working at some point during the winter months in an unheated garage, depending on climate and how well the garage is insulated. Most manufacturers do not recommend placing a refrigerator in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
What is a garage ready refrigerator?
Garage-ready fridges are simply refrigerators with more than one temperature sensor, a wider range of acceptable operating temperatures or some other feature that will make them popular among enthusiasts. There’s no special sauce here!
Are all fridges suitable for garages?
Freezing temperatures can damage your gas fridge. With an uninsulated garage, the freezing weather will trick it into thinking that refrigerant levels have dropped and may fail to turn on- which could result in food spoilage or worse!
Will a fridge work in a hot garage?
It is important to choose the right location for your fridge, and 110°F in a garage isn’t it. The appliance will have trouble staying cool due its constant battle against overheating; this could lead not only do early failure but also potential safety hazards like Metabolic EquilibriumBeing unable-to break down food efficiently because there’s no chance at allfor them being able topauseover+.
Is it necessary to unplug a garage refrigerator in the winter?
While this can be beneficial, most garage refrigerators stop working at some point during the winter if left unmanaged. … Putting a refrigerator in the garage without prepping can cause the freezer part to thaw food or the refrigerator part to freeze food.
1. RCA RFR321-FR320/8 IGLOO Mini Refrigerator – Editor’s Choice
[amazon box=”B0116QNKXU” tracking_id=”frozen00-20″]Igloo Garage Fridge SPECIFICATIONS
| Item Weight | 48 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 18.5 x 32.5 x 21.75 inches |
| Capacity | 3.2 Cu Ft |
| Installation Type | Free Standing |
| Form Factor | Stand Alone |
| Color | Blue |
| Voltage | 120 Volts |
| Compressor Type | A powerful compressor with low energy consumption |
| Included Components | Built-in can dispenser, Drip tray and Freezer compartment, Crisper, 4 x Caster Wheels for ultimate mobility, 2 removable wire shelves |
Do you like to mix function and style? Is your garage full of toolboxes and cabinets? When you need a place to keep some refreshing drinks while you wrench away on your latest project, then you may find the Igloo Fridge in a fun and convenient item because it is inside a toolbox. Your cooler will fit right into the middle of your garage without standing out.
With more than three cubic feet of cold storage space, you can put drinks, cold snacks, extra meat, and pre-made dinner items in your refrigerator. A can dispenser in the door gives you room to put six cans. You might find the fact that the Igloo refrigerator sits on four casters extremely convenient since you can move your cooler anywhere you want it. You can also lock the wheels when you do not want your cooler to roll around or move with use.
Pros
- Drip tray
- Crisper
- Two wire shelves are easy to remove when cleaning
Cons
- No freezer
When you want functional objects that blend into the design of the room, then this Igloo refrigerator might work great for your needs. With this cooler being portable, you can move it around the garage as often as you wish. You might even find yourself pulling it outside to be within quick reach while grilling (check on walmart.com).
2. Midea WHD-113FSB1 – Amazon’s Choice
[amazon box=”B00MVVIMFG” tracking_id=”frozen00-20″]Midea WHD-113FSB1 (official website) SPECIFICATIONS
| Item Weight | 52.2 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 18.5 x 19.37 x 32.95 inches |
| Capacity | 3.1 Cubic Feet |
| Freezer Capacity | 0.92 Cubic Feet |
| Installation Type | Free Standing |
| Form Factor | Stand Alone |
| Color | Black |
| Voltage | 115 Volts |
| Connector Type | Water Line |
| Defrost Type | Partial Automatic |
| Control Type | Mechanical |
| Adjustable Temperature Ranges | Refrigerator Compartment 32′ to 50′ F / Freezer Compartment -11.2′ to 5’F |
| Door Type | Reversible, that can open from left or right, Door handle design: recessed |
| Included Components | Interior light, Separate fruit and vegetable drawer, 2 crispers, 2-Liter bottle storage, Adjustable legs, Never clean condenser |
| Certification | Energy Star Rated |
| Warranty Information | Full 1-Year Warranty |
Do you like to go hunting? Are you an avid fisherman and want a separate space to store your catch? We think that the Midea refrigerator is an excellent choice for any garage because it is so versatile and easy to use. Two doors give you space for freezer and cooler items without the need to constantly open the door to access both areas.
Inside this model is a separate drawer for produce to keep it crisp and fresh. The refrigerator is slightly tilted to the back allowing any moisture to move away from fruits and vegetables. Adjustable legs help you keep the cooler level at all times. You can switch the door handle and reverse the side that the refrigerator and freezer open from to suit your garage design.
Pros
- Interior light
- Adjustable temperature control for each area
- Energy-star model
Cons
- Partial defrost only
When you need extra room for your big catch or a holiday party, the MIDEA refrigerator is our Editor’s Choice model. This refrigerator is an excellent size for the garage with room for a stand-alone unit. With two storage areas, you may find that you have ample space for stocking up for the winter to minimize grocery trips, or a spot to put leftover casseroles when your house refrigerator is too full (check on walmart.com).
3. Classic Ford Beverage Cooler – Best Refrigerator for Auto Fanatics
[amazon box=”B00G3FUAV0″ tracking_id=”frozen00-20″]Classic Ford Beverage Cooler SPECIFICATIONS
| Item Weight | Approximately 40 lbs. |
| Product Dimensions | 22in.L x 24in.W x 12in.H |
| Capacity | 1.8 cu. ft. |
| Ford graphics | On both side panels |
| Installation Type | Countertop |
| Form Factor | Stand Alone |
| Color | Blue |
| Cooling Type | Adjustable cooling level |
| Lighting Type | Interior light |
| Material Type | Metal |
| Included Components | Adjustable shelf |
Are you or someone you know a huge fan of Ford cars or trucks? Do you love vintage auto styles? If you like to deck out your garage in your auto gear and car parts, then the Classic Ford Beverage Cooler might be what you want to put in your outdoor space. The traditional blue color and industrial design are sleek and modern while the curvy logo might remind you of your first kiss.
The classic Ford logo is on both sides and the front. The glass door is a dual-pane design to ensure a good seal and an efficient unit. An interior shelf lets you move things around when you are filling the cooler. The light inside the refrigerator provides a way to show off the contents when you have something special to share during celebrations.
Pros
- Small size at 12 inches tall
- Holds up to a case of soda, beer, or iced tea
- Adjustable temperature, lighting, and shelf
Cons
- May only fit beverages and small snacks
- No freezer section
We like that this cooler is compact and will fit into a tight space like the counter or work table in your garage. You might even store it on top of your toolbox for convenience. You may find that you want to redecorate your garage around this antique design because the etching on the door glass is appealing and fun.
4. Frigidaire Retro Bar Fridge Refrigerator with Side Bottle Opener – Best Vintage Refrigerator
[amazon box=”B019RF0FV2″ tracking_id=”frozen00-20″]Frigidaire Retro Bar Fridge SPECIFICATIONS
| Item Weight | 50.4 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 18.5 x 21.5 x 32.5 inches |
| Capacity | 3.2 Cubic Feet |
| Freezer Capacity | 0.25 cu. ft. |
| Installation Type | Free Standing |
| Form Factor | Mini Fridges |
| Color | Red |
| Compressor Type | Compressor Cooled for Ultimate Cooling Performance |
| Adjustable Thermostat | Dial control |
| Door Type | Reversible, Recessed door handle, Convenient bottle opener on door, Interior door includes two shelves, can dispenser & 2 liter bottle storage |
| Included Components | Freezer compartment, Two slide-out glass shelves, Ice cube tray, Two slide-out glass shelves, Two leveling legs |
| Warranty Information | 1 year on parts and 1 year on labor |
Do you have a thing for retro decor? Are you using your garage as a chill space or somewhere that you and some friends can work out? The Frigidaire Retro Bar Fridge might fit right into your theme or design. The bright, red cooler features vivid white text in several fonts making it appealing and fun.
Two glass shelves that span the whole width of the inside of the fridge come out for quick cleaning. You might like that the door is reversible meaning that you can put the hinges on either side and open it from the right or the left. The front legs are adjustable should you need to put it on an uneven surface. The door has a compartment that will hold a two-liter of Coca-Cola.
Pros
- Bottle opener on the front
- Adjustable temperature
- Can dispenser in the door for quick access
Cons
- No light inside
You might find that luau night becomes a regular thing with three-plus feet of refrigerator space. The Frigidaire Retro Bar Fridge has wire door racks to hold small bottles, yogurt, fruit, and other little items. The freezer has enough room to hold an ice tray and a few other things like a box of Popsicles or a couple of quarts of frozen cocktails you have leftover from the last barbecue (check on homedepot.com).
5. Black and Decker BCRK43B – Best Compact Refrigerator
[amazon box=”B01DZQIA34″ tracking_id=”frozen00-20″]Black and Decker BCRK43B SPECIFICATIONS
| Item Weight | 63.9 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 20.94 x 20.63 x 32.72 inches |
| Freezer Dimensions | 17.1 inches wide x 4.3 inches tall |
| Capacity | 4.3 Cubic Feet |
| Installation Type | Free Standing |
| Form Factor | Compact |
| Color | Black |
| Adjustable Temperature Control | 32 degrees Fahrenheit at the lowest setting |
| Ultra Quiet | Low sound operation (45dB) |
| Door Type | Reversible, Door storage fits six 12 oz. cans (like soda and beer), 1 full-width and 2 half-width storage shelves, and 2 liter door storage for taller bottles |
| Included Components | 1 Vegetable drawer + glass cover, 2 Full-width slide-out glass shelves, Ice cube tray, Adjustable leveling legs |
| Defrost Type | Manual |
| Eco-Friendly | Compliant to DOE 2014 Standards & R600a Refrigerant, No Ozone Depletion |
| Warranty Information | 1 year for parts and labor, and 2 years for compressor part |
| Certification | Energy Star Rated |
Review
Do you wish you had a place to keep a few bottles of water, some soda, or maybe beer? Is your idea of a garage refrigerator a small cooler where you can keep a tray of ice and some drinks while you escape the day? The Black and Decker fridge may be an excellent choice when all you want is to grab a cold one while you finish watching the race.
There are two glass shelves in this model, and both go across the entire width of the unit. There is also a can dispenser that holds five cans of soda or beer. Another rack in the door will accommodate a two-liter bottle providing ample room for wine bottles or juice containers.
Pros
- Reversible door so that you can open it from either side
- Compact model that will fit under a table without getting in the way
- Energy-star model
Cons
- Only one door to access the freezer and cooler
- Manual defrosting
Check out: Best Compact Refrigerators TOP
Black and Decker Garage Mini Fridge Video Review
When you just want a place to keep drinks cold so that you have something refreshing after you lift weights, do yoga, or have some alone time, then the Black and Decker Compact model might be what you want for your garage. The glass shelves make clean-up quick in case of spills. The door also has a separate shelf for yogurt, cottage cheese, bags of veggies, or cheese cubes (check on walmart.com).
6. Cooluli Concord 20-liter Compact Cooler/Warmer Mini Fridge – Best for Cars & Road Trips
[amazon box=”B07JBZ5ZDD” tracking_id=”frozen00-20″]Cooluli Concord 20-liter Cooler/Warmer (official website) SPECIFICATIONS
| Item Weight | 18.26 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 11.4 x 13.8 x 16 inches |
| Capacity | 20 Liters |
| Installation Type | Countertop |
| Form Factor | Mini Fridges |
| AC/DC adapters included | AC 100-Volt to 240-Volt/0.8 Amp; DC 12-Volt/7 Amp; 80-Watt Max |
| Earth-Friendly | Free of refrigerants and Freon |
| Easy Temperature Adjustment | Digital thermostat and easy-to-read display |
| Features | Convenient, lightweight, compact and perfectly portable, built to North American electrical standards |
| Multi-Purpose | For cooling/warming anything from beer, wine, food, snacks, drinks, breast milk, insulin, beauty/skincare products, medications, and more |
| Warranty | 1-year limited warranty |
Do you or someone in your family live, eat, and breathe fishing? If you are constantly at the lake, then you might want a convenient and separate place to keep your fishing bait. We find that the size of the Cooluli Concord cooler is very convenient for keeping a stock of mealworms, nightcrawlers, and some frozen shrimp.
The Cooluli Concord mini-fridge has a five-can beer holder in the door. A large storage shelf gives you room for two tallboys. When the cooler is empty, you can fill it with 20 cans of soda, tea, or Bud Light.
Pros
- Room for a two-liter in the door
- Reversible door
- Energy-efficient
- 100% eco-friendly
Cons
- No freezer
When you want something small that will fit into a tight space or sit on your table and keep drinks cool, then the Cooluli Concord mini-fridge might work the best for you. The shelf pulls out easily for you to put tall items in the box to chill. We think the big beer can on the front of the cooler will be all the invitation your friends need to help themselves to a cold one (check on walmart.com).
7. RCA 3.2 Cubc Foot 2 Door Fridge and Freezer – Best Two Door Refrigerator For Garage
[amazon box=”B00Q478EEC” tracking_id=”frozen00-20″]RCA Two-Door Refrigerator/Freezer SPECIFICATIONS
| Item Weight | 57 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 22 x 20 x 34 inches |
| Capacity | 3.2 Cubic Feet |
| Installation Type | Freestanding |
| Form Factor | Stand Alone |
| Color | Stainless Steel |
| Finish Type | Glossy |
| 2 Door Configuration | Top Door for Freezer and bottom Door for Fridge |
| Defrost Type | Manual Defrost |
| Door Type | Reversible, accommodates right- or left-handed use |
| Environmentally-Friendly | Very quiet and CFC free |
| Features | Cans Organizer, LED Lighting, Ice Maker, Humidity Controlled Crisper, Bottle Storage, Beverage Compartment |
| Adjustable Thermostat and Compressor Cooling | For ultimate performance even in hot weather |
| Back Design | Space saving flush back design |
| Warranty | 1-year limited warranty |
| Certification | Energy Star Rated |
Do you have kids that are constantly outdoors playing? Do you wish it was easier to encourage healthy snacks without little ones asking for something else they see in the refrigerator? With the RCA dual door model, you can put fruit pops and frozen yogurt snacks in the freezer while keeping the crisper drawer in the cooler section full of fruits and veggies.
The door has a can dispenser that holds six cans, and there is space for large bottles. Pull out glass shelves and crisper drawers may make cleaning easier. The cooler door is large enough to hold two-liter bottles. An adjustable thermostat lets you program the temperature for any contents to ensure cooling without freezing.
Pros
- Adjustable thermostat and compressor cooling
- Reversible door
- Space Saving Flush Back Design
Cons
- No auto defrost
When you want to keep healthy foods that fit your dietary regimen around, then you might like this RCA refrigerator for your garage. Anyone can step in from the pool, a baseball game, or while kicking around the soccer ball to get a refreshing drink or perhaps an apple or an orange instead of junk food (check on walmart.com).
8. SPT RF-314SS Double Door Refrigerator – Best Garage Refrigerator with Sliding Shelf
[amazon box=”B00KVRA6YW” tracking_id=”frozen00-20″]SPT RF-314SS Double Door Refrigerator SPECIFICATIONS
| Item Weight | 59.5 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 19.88 x 18.5 x 33.5 inches |
| Capacity | 3.1 Cubic Feet |
| Installation Type | Freestanding |
| Form Factor | Stand Alone |
| Color | Gray |
| Finish Type | Glossy |
| 2 Door Configuration | Top Door for Freezer and bottom Door for Fridge |
| Defrost Type | Manual Defrost |
| Door Type | Reversible, accommodates right- or left-handed use |
| Environmentally-Friendly | R600a Refrigerantб HCFC-free |
| Input voltage | 115V / 60Hz |
| Power Input | 80W / 1.0 Amp |
| Temperature Range Freezer | -11.2 ~ 5°F |
| Temperature Range Refrigerator | 32 ~ 52°F |
| Noise Output | 40-44 dИ |
| Included Components | Separate freezer, Slide-out wire shelf, Transparent vegetable storage drawer, Can dispenser and tall bottle rack, Front leveling legs |
| Adjustable Thermostat and Compressor Cooling | For ultimate performance even in hot weather |
| Back Design | Space saving flush back design |
| Warranty Description | 1 Year Warranty on Labor and Parts |
| Certification | Energy Star Rated |
Are you the person that loves to entertain? Do you always have a few friends over to play pool in the garage? Is the game always a reason for a company? If you love to hang out with friends and barbecue and turn on some music, then the SPT refrigerator might be the item you need to complete your party zone.
With two doors you can easily throw some ice in the freezer and chill any drinks you like. For grilling, you can store all your burgers, brats, and hot dogs in the cooler section. The wire shelf makes it easy to reach any item at the front or back with the tilt-out design.
Pros
- Can dispenser
- Adjustable front legs
- HCFC-free
- Room for tall bottles, two-liters, and juice cartons
- Energy-star model
Cons
- Manual defrost
When you love to barbecue, it is helpful to have an area where you can put everything you need. Running in and out of the house to grab the burgers, then back in again to get the corn and peppers, and then again to get utensils and platters is tiring. With the SPT refrigerator, you can carry everything out in a bag or basket and put it in the cooler where it will be within a few steps when you pull out the grill and start cooking (check on homedepot.com).
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