Fridge/freezer in garage question

[dsbuds]

Moved our fridge/freezer into the garage as we need some more space in our kitchen. Bad move - I didn't realise quite how cold it gets in there and the freezer is getting above -10 as the fridge isn't warming enough to kick on the compressor. It's also a model without a "fast freeze" function, so there's no built in heater - I've taken to leaving the door ajar slightly so the bulb warms the fridge.

Whilst I've found a Beko fridge freezer that would appear to have "Freezer Guard", a salesperson in Currys suggested that the american style fridge freezers would also perform ok given they've got separate digital temperature control of both fridge/freezer sections. The manuals and specs for those, however, seem to contradict that (although they have a climate class of SN to T, they state not suitable for garage/outbuilding).

We would prefer to get an american fridge freezer, for the ease of use of two doors, plus ice maker (don't ask), but it's an expensive "what if". Does anyone have any experience of the american style ones in the garage?

 

[big-all]

do not under any circumstances rely soley on a sales person
you must rely on manufacturer's guidance and most as you have found out say they need an minimum something like 16 degrees to function
i certainly would not put a very expensive american style even iff it did work as the hostile damp environment will find any weaknesses and corrode and decay any weaknesses,in the Finnish

 

[ericmark]

I can see a problem with auto defrost, if the water can't drain due to it freezing, so in general auto defrost freezers should not be used in a shed.

If no auto defrost, then the shelves are the evaporator, so can't be removed, so not much good for Christmas Turkey. And also the top can get too warm.

So, in real terms, limited to chest freezers in the shed. I am sure there must be a special somewhere, which will work, but my shed is some distance from the house, so also a potential problem with volt drop, plus there is no UPS in the shed, and I want the freezer battery backed.

A chest freezer can be left around 24 hours, but in real terms need to visit the shed every day, and I am not into walking to my set once a day.

 

[Murdochcat]

There are fridges and freezers on the market specifically for garages and out buildings.

Make sure you buy one of those

 

[dsbuds]

I can see a problem with auto defrost, if the water can't drain due to it freezing, so in general auto defrost freezers should not be used in a shed.

If no auto defrost, then the shelves are the evaporator, so can't be removed, so not much good for Christmas Turkey. And also the top can get too warm.

So, in real terms, limited to chest freezers in the shed. I am sure there must be a special somewhere, which will work, but my shed is some distance from the house, so also a potential problem with volt drop, plus there is no UPS in the shed, and I want the freezer battery backed.

A chest freezer can be left around 24 hours, but in real terms need to visit the shed every day, and I am not into walking to my set once a day.

I've watched a big turkey be prepared, turkey crown all the way.

This is why I've been looking at units that use mainly air cooling vs the shelves being the evaporator. Unless I can find a way to the thermostat (this ff has the dial on the top at the front outside the unit, I know some thermostat have a permanent live, so for the cost of running a 15w bulb it'd function properly!).

Thanks for the suggestions guys

There are fridges and freezers on the market specifically for garages and out buildings.

Make sure you buy one of those

There are but they limit us on what we can do. Two tall separate appliances is almost as much as an American style hence inquiring. In theory the fridge does still maintain temp so it's only the freezer we could get a replacement for.