I'm in the beginning phase of building an outdoor kitchen for my pool down here in Florida. Can anyone comment on whether or not it's worth the extra cost to purchase an "outdoor rated" refrigerator? Will a normal mini fridge be able to keep cool down here with the humidity?
Outdoor refrigerator worth the price?
- Thread starter TheEngineer
- Start date
I don't believe the traditional indoor "mini" or "dormroom" type fridge has the insulation for outdoor use. Or protection possibly from the elements of rain and such.
Maddie
Maddie
Im also building an outdoor kitchen, I ended up buying an outdoor rated Danby fridge from Costco (also found at Walmart, HD, Lowes) for a few hundred $.
Since one normally builds an outdoor kitchen around item dimensions its best that you figure out what fridge, etc you are using first.
Since one normally builds an outdoor kitchen around item dimensions its best that you figure out what fridge, etc you are using first.
- Apr 23, 2017
- 2,400
- Pool Size
- 22000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
With the heat here in Texas it seems my neighbors replace them boy every 3 years. For that reason I do not own one! I'm good with having a small cooler on the patio or by the pool...
There are several levels of outdoor refrigerators, and what you'll need depends on your intended use/placement. The main features of outdoor refrigerators are bigger compressor/more insulation, enclosed back (water and critter resistance) and front vent. Most important is closed back, which can be found on the cheapest outdoor fridges. Front vent is needed only if you're installing in a tight-fitting cabinet. Larger compressor/more insulation = higher price.
I have a low-range outdoor fridge, cost about $250. Closed back, rear vent, probably only slightly better insulation/compressor than a dorm fridge. Installed in a vented cabinet under a pavilion. Keeps beer in the high 30s on 90+ degree days, which is good enough for me. A $1k fridge would probably keep it at a crisp 32, but not worth the extra expense for me. Had a basic $75 dorm fridge before that, maintained a high 40s temp, but lasted only one season -- field mouse got in the back and shorted it out. An indoor fridge might work on a covered/screened porch, but I wouldn't risk one outside.
I have a low-range outdoor fridge, cost about $250. Closed back, rear vent, probably only slightly better insulation/compressor than a dorm fridge. Installed in a vented cabinet under a pavilion. Keeps beer in the high 30s on 90+ degree days, which is good enough for me. A $1k fridge would probably keep it at a crisp 32, but not worth the extra expense for me. Had a basic $75 dorm fridge before that, maintained a high 40s temp, but lasted only one season -- field mouse got in the back and shorted it out. An indoor fridge might work on a covered/screened porch, but I wouldn't risk one outside.
rajung
Well-known member
I have the EdgeStar OBR900SS, it is outdoor rated , not sure what I paid for it 3 years ago, but current prices look to be 650.
About 2x the price of comparable indoor unit " size wise".
I think when deciding to go with a outdoor rated unit for a fridge, its unlike a indoor tv being used covered, outside.
This fridge is all closed and stainless. The only time it sweats is in extreme high humidity, the kind where you cant breath, and only the glass on door . It is on our covered deck, so its shaded. I place on deck in April /May and it runs continually until we start to put items away in the fall. Never failed and it keeps items at 36-38 deg.I don't think it ever went over 40 even in the hottest days. Only one problem with this unit is the lower pivot pin for the door, if it even is a pin, not sure. it must be made of un- treated metal because after the second year it started to leave a rust spot on deck floor right below it, about the size of a penny, so no big deal.
Unlike a standard tv outside, which I use, this might be a money saver in the short haul.
About 2x the price of comparable indoor unit " size wise".
I think when deciding to go with a outdoor rated unit for a fridge, its unlike a indoor tv being used covered, outside.
This fridge is all closed and stainless. The only time it sweats is in extreme high humidity, the kind where you cant breath, and only the glass on door . It is on our covered deck, so its shaded. I place on deck in April /May and it runs continually until we start to put items away in the fall. Never failed and it keeps items at 36-38 deg.I don't think it ever went over 40 even in the hottest days. Only one problem with this unit is the lower pivot pin for the door, if it even is a pin, not sure. it must be made of un- treated metal because after the second year it started to leave a rust spot on deck floor right below it, about the size of a penny, so no big deal.
Unlike a standard tv outside, which I use, this might be a money saver in the short haul.
- Sep 8, 2013
- 606
We've had a regular old side by side fridge on our screen porch for years. We also have a 1950s era fridge on the screen porch of a cabin in Missouri that has been there for decades.
There are plenty of beer fridge pics on my pool thread, link in sig. Here's one.
View attachment 74079
There are plenty of beer fridge pics on my pool thread, link in sig. Here's one.
View attachment 74079
- Oct 18, 2009
- 3,637
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
TheEngineer I think it would depend where you place your fridge. I have a small 2.6 cub ft home mini fridge in my summer kitchen however the sun only shines on it for a couple of hours 12-2pm each day. Our kitchen is protected from the elements so we are happy so far with our regular fridge. Look at our summer kitchen build New Outdoor Summer Kitchen in the Dolphin Bar and Grill in the sig bar
A couple summers ago, I had an outdoor fridge
Installed between my breezeway & kitchen door..
I always enter through the breezeway...
My biggest advice is to keep water bottles stocked, I was hung over for the first month.
Installed between my breezeway & kitchen door..
I always enter through the breezeway...
My biggest advice is to keep water bottles stocked, I was hung over for the first month.
I have a $100 and change Danby mini fridge, that sat in my non-air conditioned sunroom for about 6 years. I would turn it off for the off-season, so it only worked for about 7 months out of the year, but it did like a champ and for pretty hot inside that sunroom. Now, as we moved, I'm planning to use it in the outdoor kitchen, so we will how it will do.
But, here's my view on this. You can easily buy a standard mini fridge for a about $100. Let say, even if it lasts me 2 seasons, and I Have to spend $100 to buy a new one every two years, it will take 6 years to reach $300 that will the cheapest outdoor fridge cost me.
But, here's my view on this. You can easily buy a standard mini fridge for a about $100. Let say, even if it lasts me 2 seasons, and I Have to spend $100 to buy a new one every two years, it will take 6 years to reach $300 that will the cheapest outdoor fridge cost me.