How To Winterize an Outdoor Refrigerator

How To Winterize an Outdoor Refrigerator Featured Photo

Winter is the perfect season to curl up in layers of warm, comfy clothing, socks, and mittens. And instead of holding an ice-cold drink, you’re enjoying a hot chocolate while watching your favorite movie.

But before you dread the months of winter looms, there are a few things you need to take care of outside. If you want to make the same refreshing, ice-cold drinks you had last summer, you must winterize your outdoor refrigerator.

Winterizing your outdoor fridge is important for a dependable cooling appliance. Doing so will keep your drinks cold in the next warm months. After all, leaving idle appliances plugged in is a waste of energy. You don’t want to squander money on an unwarranted increase in your electric bill.

Fall is the biggest time to perform this task.

So, if you’re not familiar with winterizing an outdoor refrigerator, we’ll walk you through the process of preparing your fridge for the upcoming cold season.

Remember that protecting your outdoor kitchen from the elements, whether against rain, sun, and frost, will help its components last for many years.

Why Winterize Outdoor Fridges

You don’t need to bring your outdoor fridge inside for the upcoming winter months.

Before the outside temperature falls, you need to turn off the electricity and unload your refrigerator. In the meantime, you’re essentially putting your outdoor cooking and dining on hold.

Winterizing your outdoor fridge is critical to preventing serious mold and mildew formation. These pesky creatures can invade your unit’s interior. And this can lead to damage over time, which will cost you pricey repairs. If you don’t winterize your outdoor kitchen, you run the risk of having busted pipework.

When Should You Winterize Your Outdoor Fridge?

As we’ve mentioned, you can start preparing your outdoor kitchen in the fall.

We recommend checking any forecast. If the outdoor temperature falls below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and is expected to remain at or under that level for the duration of the season, you must turn off your outdoor fridge. Just operate it when spring arrives.

Refrigerators are designed to adapt to the environment they’re in. Your outdoor fridge will keep running until the temperature outside meets your unit’s. And as soon as the outside temperature and internal temperature of your fridge equilibrate, the unit will not chill. Also, the thermostat won’t switch on.

In this case, the contents of your outdoor fridge will remain cold. But, the refrigerator will not be able to regulate the temperature of the items inside. Beverages generally need a chilling temperature of at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Your drinks may spoil if the temperature drops below that mark.

And despite the fact that many outdoor fridges include a freezer, all the chambers and parts of your unit use a single thermostat. So, the integrated freezer may stop working if the ambient temperature falls below freezing.

The same thermostat is in the refrigerator zone of your fridge, so it won’t activate if the temperature outside goes below that of the fridge, resulting in the freezing section not cooling.

Which Parts?

The entire unit, but internal components need more attention.

You don’t need to do anything special, just thoroughly wipe the inside of the refrigerator and freezer clean. Take out the bins, shelves, and drawers. Wipe down the walls.

For the exterior parts, make sure to have your fridge covered from hail and ice, though not fully sealed to prevent mold growth. You can apply a coat of stainless steel polish for an added layer of protection to the outer casing from the elements.

Indoor vs. Outdoor Refrigerators

The hardest working and the most frequently used. No home is complete without a refrigerator. And while indoor and outdoor refrigerators share the same role in our kitchens, they are not entirely the same.

Indoor fridges are designed to be used inside your home. Outdoor models, however, are more adaptable since they can be used both inside and outside. They are intended for outdoor use to withstand extreme weather.

Outdoor refrigerators also include better insulation and more powerful components to keep food chilled in temperatures as high as 100 degrees Fahrenheit. And, they can boast waterproof electronics and a rust-resistant exterior casing to offer safe, long-lasting functioning in wet climates.

This is not to say that they can weather through it all, though.

The only weather-proof parts are the electrical components in them, not the fridge itself. Unlike indoor models, they need winterization to survive all the elements. Indoor kitchen refrigerators don’t require winterization or extensive maintenance. Just plug it in and it will keep your food fresh all year.

Winterizing Your Outdoor Refrigerator: A Step-by-Step Process

Now, let’s get into the basics of how to winterize an outdoor refrigerator. Here’s an easy-to-follow process for protecting your cooling station all winter season:

1. Turn it off. Press and hold the power button of your fridge. Doing so will protect you from shock. Once it shuts down, unplug it from the power outlet.

2. Take out all the contents. Empty the refrigerator and freezer of all food, drinks, ice, and water. This also means taking out the removable parts and setting them aside for cleaning. Put all of the cords in a thick plastic bag to prevent rodents from chewing on them.

3. Leave it open for a few minutes. This will allow the unit to adapt to the ambient temperature.

4. Start cleaning. Wipe the freezing and refrigerating chambers clean. You can also use a soap-and-water mixture and scrub the interior using a clean rag. White vinegar and water will also sanitize your fridge. Wash the removable parts and dry them with paper towels.

5. Let it air dry. After drying with clean towels, leave the doors open to help fight mold, mildew, and odors. You can keep an open box of baking soda in it.

6. Finally, cover. This will protect your unit from falling hail and ice. Make sure that the cover you use doesn’t retain moisture to invite mold. Don’t cover it entirely, though. It’s important to allow some openings to inhibit moisture so molds don’t grow.

FAQs

Is it OK to not winterize an outdoor fridge?

It will depend on how cold it is and the period of time when the temperature outside is below freezing point. Outdoor appliances like fridges and ice makers don’t have a heating mechanism. However, they are still well insulated. This means that it may take longer for it to freeze if it’s just below freezing.

But not for long, though. If you give it enough time the insulation will eventually wear off. With temperatures falling way below freezing, your fridge will freeze in minutes or a house. Again, it depends on how cold it is.

What do I do with my outdoor fridge in the winter?

Before the temperatures drop below 38 degrees Fahrenheit, you should winterize your outdoor fridge. Winterizing your outdoor fridge helps to keep excessive mold and mildew infestation from invading the interior of the unit.

However, you must look at the manufacturer’s recommended winterization temperature. Using your fridge at temperatures below the indicated winterization temperature could void the warranty.

Does an outdoor refrigerator need to be covered?

Yes. Just like any other kitchen appliance, your outdoor fridge needs to be covered. While they are designed for use outside, they still need protection against the elements.

How do you keep mold out of the outdoor refrigerator?

Molds are everywhere, and they can thrive where there is moisture to feed on. But you can minimize mold formation by keeping all of your food dry. Make sure to push air out of food containers to create a dry environment. Cover them with foil and cling wrap. Or you can just eat them right away if you can.

And if there are any spills on the surfaces of your outdoor fridge (shelves, racks, drawers), you should wipe them down immediately.

Will freezing temperatures damage a refrigerator?

Refrigerators should not be put in freezing temperatures in general. Leaving them at temperatures below freezing may ruin their internal components.

Although they may be designed for outdoor use, they’re not exempted from the damaging effects of cold weather. Keep this in mind if you live in a cold location.

Can you put a refrigerator in a shed?

You could, but doing so might damage your fridge and spoil the food stored inside. You should never place your refrigerator in a shed with an ambient temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. But you shouldn’t keep them out at winter temperatures of 32 degrees Fahrenheit, either.

Final Words

Winterizing your outdoor kitchen fridge will protect it from damage down the road. Follow our easy step-by-step process to get your outdoor kitchen winter-ready—you’ll be glad you did!

Taking care of your outdoor refrigerator will keep them running and serve you for many years. Good luck!