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I've gone through 3 mini fridges in my garage in the past 2 years
Posted on 5/15/22 at 10:26 am
Posted on 5/15/22 at 10:26 am
I keep a small 1.7cu ft cube style mini fridge on the workbench in my garage. Big enough to hold a case of beer. No freezer. I've been through 3 of them in the past 2 years b/c they stop keeping my beers cold.
The one in there now is set to 7, the highest setting, and my beers are cool, but not cold.
The garage has an insulated garage door, so it doesn't get as hot in there as outside temp.
The current fridge is a Magic Chef I got at home Depot. Any suggestions on how to fix or what a good replacement fridge would be that doesn't cost $$$.
My only other option is to continue buying $100 mini fridges and get the extended warranty and keep trading them out every time they stop working.
I've looked into outdoor rated fridges, but I really don't want to spend that kind of money to keep 24 beers cold.
The one in there now is set to 7, the highest setting, and my beers are cool, but not cold.
The garage has an insulated garage door, so it doesn't get as hot in there as outside temp.
The current fridge is a Magic Chef I got at home Depot. Any suggestions on how to fix or what a good replacement fridge would be that doesn't cost $$$.
My only other option is to continue buying $100 mini fridges and get the extended warranty and keep trading them out every time they stop working.
I've looked into outdoor rated fridges, but I really don't want to spend that kind of money to keep 24 beers cold.
11
Posted on 5/15/22 at 10:46 am to Greenie10
Does the garage stay hot, like 95? Never been in a non-AC garage that wasn't hot and humid.
Makes that fridge work extra hard and probably wears them out quickly.
Makes that fridge work extra hard and probably wears them out quickly.
This post was edited on 5/15/22 at 10:47 am
Posted on 5/15/22 at 10:51 am to fightin tigers
I don't think the mini's have the same insulation as a full size nor the same cooling system. I have had refrigerators and freezer in the garage and they last well over 10 years
Posted on 5/15/22 at 10:52 am to Greenie10
Buy a full size fridge from lowes/HD that was damaged. I got a brand new one for $200 has a huge dent in the side but works great. Ran a water line so I could use the Ice maker too
Posted on 5/15/22 at 10:58 am to LSUSports247
quote:
Buy a full size fridge
No room for one. I've got kayaks, 4 bikes, 3 large tool cabinets, a small chest freezer (works great going on 4+ yrs), and a small gym setup in there. Plus room for my wife's car when needed. I don't have space for a full size fridge. And really, I only keep beer in it. Cube size fridge is all I can fit and that takes up half my workbench area
This post was edited on 5/15/22 at 11:03 am
Posted on 5/15/22 at 11:01 am to Greenie10
I get 3 years outta my outside one
Abuse it bad
They all the same
Jus buy the cheapest
Abuse it bad
They all the same
Jus buy the cheapest
Posted on 5/15/22 at 11:04 am to fightin tigers
quote:
Does the garage stay hot, like 95? Never been in a non-AC garage that wasn't hot and humid.
It was about 95° yesterday here, and the garage was about 84°. Not much humidity. I'm not in SE La
Posted on 5/15/22 at 11:06 am to Drop4Loss
quote:
I get 3 years outta my outside one
Abuse it bad
They all the same
Jus buy the cheapest
What brand are you using? I've looked into "outdoor" mini fridges and most are over $1k. Not looking to spend that to keep 24 beers cold
Posted on 5/15/22 at 11:45 am to Greenie10
As mentioned, they are not as well built or insulated as well. A full-size, cheap arse fridge is really the best option but understand you are limited in space.
Only other thing you could do is make sure the fridge has plenty of room for air circulation around the compressor and it stays clean. Poor circulation or fouled inlet/outlet can cause it to overheat.
Another thing I’ve found with mini fridges is they like to be fairly full. If you run it empty, it tends to overwork and freeze up, in my experience.
Only other thing you could do is make sure the fridge has plenty of room for air circulation around the compressor and it stays clean. Poor circulation or fouled inlet/outlet can cause it to overheat.
Another thing I’ve found with mini fridges is they like to be fairly full. If you run it empty, it tends to overwork and freeze up, in my experience.
Posted on 5/15/22 at 11:57 am to Greenie10
Get a midea from costco. When it breaks swap it out. I have had good luck with Midea and they make a lot of stuff for "higher end" brands like Toshiba and their products are generally well reviewed.
Posted on 5/15/22 at 12:07 pm to Greenie10
See if you can find an old full size. I've had a Kenmore on my back porch for 7 or 8 years. Bought it used. I keep bait in the top and beer in the bottom. Other than a couple of paint jobs it's had no issues. I think I gave 50 bucks for it
Eta: nevermibd, just saw you're limited on space.
Eta: nevermibd, just saw you're limited on space.
This post was edited on 5/15/22 at 12:09 pm
Posted on 5/15/22 at 5:15 pm to Greenie10
quote:
I've gone through 3 mini fridges in my garage in the past 2 years
I have a mini fridge (Kenmore) that has been running essentially nonstop since 1999. I got it for freshman year dorm at LSU. We had it in our garage for years and now under new back patio extension for roughly 5-6 years.
I keep waiting for it to die before buying a new one, but it’s a trooper. 23 years and counting…
Posted on 5/16/22 at 10:01 am to Greenie10
2 suggestions I know from experience:
Add something for extra insulation to the top, sides and doors. A little bit will help a lot.
If on the same circuit as your power tools, the heavy draw when using large tools seems to shorten the life of the compressor.
Add something for extra insulation to the top, sides and doors. A little bit will help a lot.
If on the same circuit as your power tools, the heavy draw when using large tools seems to shorten the life of the compressor.
Posted on 5/16/22 at 10:35 am to Greenie10
Refrigerators rely on insulation as well as content to keep a constant low temp inside. Mini-fridges do not have much insulation at all and nowhere near the capacity to rely on the cold mass inside to stabilize the temps.
I top mount fridge/freezer is probably your best bet. The top freezer can store extra frozen stuff to relieve your inside freezer and it helps maintain the fridge temps. Then you can keep a bigger stock of beer also!
I top mount fridge/freezer is probably your best bet. The top freezer can store extra frozen stuff to relieve your inside freezer and it helps maintain the fridge temps. Then you can keep a bigger stock of beer also!
Posted on 5/16/22 at 1:21 pm to Boudreaux35
I have an Absocold I bought in 1993 for college. It's still running in my garage, keeping the beer ice cold today. I don't think they make them like that anymore.
Posted on 5/17/22 at 9:23 am to LSUSports247
quote:
Buy a full size fridge from lowes/HD that was damaged. I got a brand new one for $200 has a huge dent in the side but works great. Ran a water line so I could use the Ice maker too
Posted on 5/17/22 at 9:32 am to Greenie10
Had a similar issue with mine In the outdoor kitchen. Frosting up and would get cold. Took it out of the cutout space and it worked fine. I put a box fan behind it now to circulate air and it seems to be cooling a lot better.
Posted on 5/17/22 at 11:14 am to fightin tigers
Go buy a scratch and dent full size for 2/3 hundred bucks
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