It’s great to have an outside refrigerator. If you have an open kitchen, it’s awesome to have the food and drinks nearby while you cook. It’s an excellent way to create additional space for chilled food. But you may wonder if it’s illegal to leave a refrigerator outside.
Depending on your definition of “leave,” Most states forbid leaving a refrigerator outside with its doors closed. This is to stop children from playing inside an unused refrigerator and getting stuck. Therefore, if you’ve heard that it’s against the law to keep a fridge outside, that’s probably where you heard it.
It is not abandoned if you have a fridge in your backyard as part of your outdoor cooking setup. Even if it is off and not in use, you must still take precautions to prevent children and animals from getting stuck in the compartment.
In The Summer, Can a Refrigerator Be Left Outside?
In the summer, an outdoor refrigerator can be used to provide cold beverages and preserve the freshness of your BBQ salads. Don’t put it toward the direct sun in a shaded area. Produce needs to be kept cool in the fridge, so if it has to constantly battle the outside temperature, it will have to work more.
For the location of your new outdoor refrigerator, pick a more relaxed area in your yard. While it’s improbable that your yard would reach this temperature, keep in mind that a fridge cannot operate in air temperatures beyond 110 °F.
Even if you’re only leaving your fridge outside in the warmer months since you live in a region with climate variations, make sure it’s protected from the wind and the rain.
Can I Leave a Fridge Outside in the winter?
Which zone do you live in, and does the climate affect this? Your refrigerator will struggle if you have long, brutal winters. It won’t work if the temperature falls below the fridge compartment operating range, typically approximately 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This is due to the refrigerator’s simple shutdown if it detects that the temperature is too low.
The oil in a refrigerator’s compressor may even freeze if the temperature is shallow. Because of this, the compressor risked burning out because the oil couldn’t circulate. Therefore, if you must keep your refrigerator outside during the winter, switch it off.
Given what you’ve read, you’ll probably opt to cover your outdoor fridge for the winter. A built-in device should be unplugged and cleaned. If it is a free-standing item, unplug it, clean it, allow it to dry, and then put it in the garage or another secure outbuilding. If at all possible, cover the entire kitchen island to keep debris off of it.
Are Covers or Enclosures Necessary for Outdoor Fridges?
Like any other item, your outdoor refrigerator will survive more if you take good care. Any appliance, whether made for external use, will quickly fail if it is repeatedly exposed to rain, sun, and wind.
We advise choosing the ideal location to keep your new outdoor fridge safe and extend its life. You likely have a site in mind as you must select a place that is both protected from the elements and sheltered for our external kitchen area. Having a shelter is a good idea because it can block the heaviest rain and be placed away from the main wind.
A healthy airflow is also necessary for an outdoor refrigerator. Avoid mounting the device directly against a wall to allow airflow. Clear the space around it of any debris, such as leaves.
Why Do Outdoor Refrigerators Cost So Much Money?
The materials used to construct an outdoor refrigerator are more expensive and of higher quality. For instance, your indoor refrigerator doesn’t need to be made entirely of stainless steel of the 304 grade or have neatly boxed-in, watertight components. Additionally, a conventional interior fridge does not have all that additional insulation.
For closer to $400, you may purchase a small outside beverage refrigerator if you only need it for drinks. An outdoor fridge will cost you at least $800. Check out Amazon for a decent selection of standalone and under-counter models.
Using a Refrigerator Outside Has Problems
What issues could arise if a refrigerator is placed outside? The answer varies depending on whether you’re operating it in January or July.
Freezing weather will result in distinct issues than high heat. Additionally, the extreme temperature changes in the spring and autumn can lead to various problems. Let’s first divide it according to the weather.
Heat-Related Problems
When I refer to heat, I refer to temperatures higher than 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Up to that point, most manufacturers promise proper cooling. You might be surprised to learn that once the contents of a refrigerator are already cold, keeping them out is pretty simple. Most hot weather only results in slightly higher electricity bills, provided you aren’t getting a new drink every five minutes or keeping the refrigerator door open.
Having said that, issues may materialize as the temperature rises above 110 degrees. More strain is put on the hardware due to the refrigerator having to work harder. Components, gaskets, and seals will be hotter due to the higher temperatures. This might make them less effective and hasten the rate of wear. However, when the temperature falls below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll start to have serious issues.
Cold-Related Problems
Cooler temperatures, specifically between 32 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit, are ideal for chilling beverages in a refrigerator. The entire electrical load is decreased because the fridge doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain the cool temperatures of the contents.
Even if it may seem wonderful, there is a price. The freezer’s cooling system doesn’t function nearly as well because the air passing through the compressor is never fully heated back up.
Due to the freezer’s decreased effectiveness, keeping food frozen will be difficult. Although cold weather makes up for this inefficiency, you still face the risk of the compressor freezing in below-freezing temperatures (below 32 degrees Fahrenheit).
Even though the cold weather will keep your food and beverages cold for a while, you should confirm that your refrigerator is still working once the temperature rises.
Can a Refrigerator be Left Unplugged Outside in the Winter?
No, you cannot keep an unplugged fridge outside in the cold. Suppose outdoor appliances are not adequately shielded from the weather. When exposed to subfreezing temperatures, they may break pipes, water pumps, valves, and drain lines.
Most people would neglect temperature-related difficulties when installing a refrigerator in their home. The fact that most refrigerators are found in kitchens is typical.
The average refrigerator is made to maintain a steady ambient temperature to function correctly. Leaving your refrigerator unplugged outside during the cold is not a good idea. Critical internal components like the compressor could be harmed as a result.
To maintain the fridge’s temperature as high as possible while being stored outdoors, it is best to completely wrap and protect it from the elements.
The Dangers of Leaving a Refrigerator Outside
1. The Compressor is Harmed
The bulk of the issues is caused by the compressor. Once connected, a refrigerator mainly relies on the compressor to keep it running. The damage will increase if the compressor is exposed to the cold for a lengthy period.
This part of the refrigerator will eventually stop working correctly, even when it is plugged in.
You run a high risk when you put the refrigerator outside for an extended time. The compressor could perform poorly or not, which is one of these risks.
It should be at room temperature and handled with caution. Just because the power line has been cut doesn’t mean you should leave a refrigerator outside for months. The compressor will stop working after a few weeks, and the appliance must be replaced.
2. Device Stops Cooling When Connected
If your food and beverages can be chilled, the refrigerator is only helpful if it can do so. Instead, it will stop cooling as effectively as it did before.
This is a common concern voiced by those who opt to leave their refrigerator outside for extended durations. The fridge does not work correctly and cannot maintain a sufficient level of cooling.
3. The Power Output Has Declined
“Can you leave a fridge outside in the cold unplugged?” someone queries. But this is not the only issue. The majority of people probably have cooled their minds.
Instead, you need to think about how much electricity the refrigerator consumes. You won’t get the results you wanted if the components are not in top working condition. Long-term consequences could result in you getting behind.