At a Glance:
What to Look for in a Garage Refrigerator
Best Garage Refrigerator Options
Arizona has fantastic weather. Even on the hottest days, you can still grab a drink and watch the sunset to welcome a cool night. People move to this state from across the country and buy homes with large patios and pools for entertaining.
One feature that is quickly becoming a staple in Phoenix homes is the garage refrigerator. These refrigerators and freezers store extra food that can’t fit in the kitchen fridge. Garage refrigerators are essential for storing food ahead of a party or event, but they can also be used day-to-day to store beer and wine.
Discover the Best Refrigerator Models for a Hot Garage
Find the best refrigerator model for your home with us!
There are some factors you need to consider if you are investing in a garage refrigerator. Knowing your specific needs for this appliance can help you choose the right model for your home. In this guide, Spencer’s TV and Appliance will give you everything you need to know if you are looking for a refrigerator for your garage.
What to Look for in a Garage Refrigerator
Oftentimes, families will upgrade their kitchen refrigerators and move their old models into the garage. Because garage refrigerators are often used to store beverages and overflow food, homeowners don’t spend much time thinking about them. However, this is actually a mistake. You could be aging that refrigerator faster than you expect, increasing your electric bills, and causing your food to spoil faster than you expect.
A quality refrigerator will maintain a certain temperature level regardless of the air outside. When you open up your refrigerator, warm air from the room enters the space while cold air gets let out. This isn’t a big deal when you are opening your kitchen refrigerator inside if your home temperature is set at 75 degrees. However, this is a problem when the Arizona daytime temperatures exceed 100 degrees, and that heat seeps into your already sweltering garage.
Two key factors to look for in a garage refrigerator are insulation and temperature control. The insulation will seal in cold air and prevent the summer heat from reaching your food. The temperature control will immediately sense the hot air when you open the door and take steps to cool your food. By investing in a new garage refrigerator with these features, you can keep your electric bills down and protect your food from warm air.
Best Garage Refrigerator Options
One of the challenges of finding a garage-ready refrigerator is that many brands don’t make appliances meant for the ever-changing elements. Most refrigerators that you find aren’t tested against the Phoenix summer heat. However, you can look for well-built refrigerators that have the right features and pricing for your needs among our Spencer’s top garage refrigeration picks (and remaining inventory).
GE® 18.3 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Freestanding Top Freezer Refrigerator
There are plenty of affordable models to choose from when selecting a garage refrigerator. GE is a top brand that is known for both its quality products and fair prices. You can enjoy both the stainless steel exterior and high capacity levels.
One of the main benefits of buying this model is that it’s ENERGY STAR® Certified. It was designed to use less energy while keeping your food cool. Refrigerators have to work harder during the hot months, and an energy-efficient system will cool your groceries without driving up your electric bill. This model also has up-front temperature controls so you can keep your refrigerator cool in the summer and then use less energy by raising the temperature in the winter.
Customer reviews for this refrigerator mention the quality of its design for a top-freezer model. It is ideal if you want a simple garage refrigerator to store drinks and frozen food throughout the year.
LG 23.8 Cu. Ft Stainless Steel Top Freezer Refrigerator
If you need a refrigerator for the garage that is a little more advanced, check out this model by LG. The freezer compartment is on the top while the refrigerator is on the bottom. It can hold almost 24 cubic feet of groceries to store a family's extra food from bulk shopping. If you need an extra refrigerator to store enough food for hungry teenagers, then this is the right choice to make.
LG develops its refrigerators with Multi-Air Flow™ technology, which balances both the temperature and the humidity levels in your system. The dry Phoenix air is not made to preserve vegetables and keep dairy fresh, but the air pumped through this system is. The Multi-Air Flow unit constantly monitors the conditions in the refrigerator and makes adjustments for peak storage.
Customer reviews mention the amount of space it has to hold groceries and how effectively the unit keeps food cool.
Frigidaire Professional® 18.6 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel All Refrigerator
If you invest in a garage refrigerator, you might not need freezer capabilities. Avid fishers and hunters in the Phoenix area often keep garage freezers for storing their catch. There is no need to add a second freezer to the space. This model by Frigidaire is a full refrigerator without a freezer. It holds more than 18 cubic feet of groceries and comes with flexible shelves and drawers so you can adapt the refrigerator to your needs.
Each Frigidaire model comes with the EvenTemp™ Cooling System that reacts whenever there is a change in the refrigerator temperature. As soon as you open and close the door of your garage refrigerator, this system will kick on and restore the temperature to normal levels. The Arizona heat can’t compete with Frigidaire.
It is a popular model with hundreds of reviews that you can check out before committing to this option. Customers who have purchased this refrigerator before talk about the bright lighting and the easy controls. This model comes in stainless steel.
Bosch Benchmark® Series 16.0 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Built-in Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
Look no further than Bosch for a quality refrigerator that can withstand the Phoenix heat. These appliances are meant to last while still providing a sleek design. This particular Bosch refrigerator is smaller, which is ideal if you don’t have much space in your garage. You won’t have to worry about the fridge sticking out too far or making it difficult to park in the space.
This is a single-door refrigerator with a bottom drawer pull-out freezer. The shelves are adjustable, so you can ensure this garage refrigerator meets your storage needs. Some people use garage refrigerators just to store drinks, while other homeowners keep groceries in there as well.
Customer reviews highlight how the refrigerator holds more than they expect and how the Wi-Fi functionality alerts them if the door is left open. Bosch refrigerators also come with a SuperCool function that rapidly drops the temperature as soon as the door is open. This is essential when investing in a garage fridge.
FAQ
Can you put a refrigerator in a garage?
In most cases, appliance manufacturers don’t recommend putting refrigerators outside. However, the garage is often an in-between space. Items in your garage aren’t subject to the rain and snow of the outdoors, but there’s no climate control for heat and humidity. If your garage stays cool in the summer and warm in the winter, you should be able to store a refrigerator there without any problems.
How long will a garage refrigerator last?
Most refrigerators are designed to last up to 20 years. However, this estimate requires the refrigerators to be well-maintained and kept in favorable conditions. If your refrigerator has to work harder because it is outside, it might not last as long. Expect to replace your garage refrigerator every 10 to 15 years.
Is a garage-ready refrigerator practical?
A garage refrigerator is made to survive extreme outdoor temperatures. It will keep your food cool in hot summers and will keep working in freezing conditions. Not only is this good for your wallet, but it will also preserve your food and provide storage space for drinks.
Why Trust Spencer’s TV & Appliance?
Since 1973, Spencer’s TV & Appliance has grown to 10 locations throughout the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. The secret to our longevity is simple: personal service. Customer satisfaction have always been the focus of our business, and throughout the years, we have been able to work hard with our suppliers to bring you the best prices. After all, getting customers the best price and personal attention is how we compete with big-box stores, day in and day out.
Not only do we offer top-rated appliances, name-brand electronics, and the best mattresses on the market but we also provide water treatment solutions and perform kitchen design services. Stop by your nearest Spencer’s and see what you’re missing!
Shop Refrigerators at Spencer’s
At Spencer’s TV & Appliance, we provide high-quality, name-brand products at great prices — check out our catalog to shop for Refrigerators online today. Your friends in the business are always happy to help you find a garage refrigerator. Call us, or better yet, stop by at one of our locations in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale regions. Visit us today!
Learn More: Outdoor Refrigerator Product Guide