Pool Refrigerator Recommendations

[tradewinds]

Anything proven with a reasonable price? I got a non-direct sun location I plan to build an enclosure and counter and have the small refrigerator in there. I have a screen in pool area in Central Florida location.

Some old threads mentioned some $100 non outdoor rated Danby that lasted a few years or more but not sure that is still an option in today's economy prices.

 

[PoolGate]

Not sure what "outdoor rated" means with a refrigerator. They are pretty much all the same. More insulation perhaps? Refrigerators are, for practical purposes, all just as reliable. I would get whatever fits in your space and meets your design needs. Treat them as a commodity.

 

[dragonbird22]

Agree with above. We’ve had this one from Sam’s Club under our covered patio for 1.5yrs and it’s been completely fine. (We’ve actually owned it for 3yrs but it was inside prior.)

 

[tradewinds]

My location will have rain hitting the front and therefore wondering if I need outdoor rated for "open" exposure.

 

[otter86753]

We installed an outdoor kitchen, but didn't do a fridge as I have a shed fridge steps away. I did look and if you want to do an outdoor rated one, here is a great resource to see what's available. I use them for all "durable goods" research.

 

[tradewinds]

We installed an outdoor kitchen, but didn't do a fridge as I have a shed fridge steps away. I did look and if you want to do an outdoor rated one, here is a great resource to see what's available. I use them for all "durable goods" research.

Unfortunately, this is the double edge sword. Spend a ton on outdoor rated and deal with warranty, or go cheap and just replace. The latter I don't mind once it last some years and not go casters up on the first deck wash or rain shower.

 

[dragonbird22]

My location will have rain hitting the front and therefore wondering if I need outdoor rated for "open" exposure.

I do sometimes have rain blow in and we’re wickedly humid BUT I do not usually have heavy rain hitting it directly. That being said - could you install a cover of some sort? Like a pull down cover or hooks to hold a front cover or the like so that you could protect it when it rains? Rigging something like that may be cheaper than the added expense of getting an outdoor-rated refrigerator. We have an outdoor tv as well on the patio and went with a regular tv with a cover that we put on for thunderstorms and over the winter months rather than spending the absolutely ridiculous expense of getting an outdoor-rated tv. Though a cover would definitely not protect from flooding.

 

[Mdragger88]

Fwiw I have had a normal non special /non garage rated freezer on my porch/carport near the edge for 20 years. None have ever actually died of natural causes. Just been replaced by a larger one. Just got a new one, hopefully it lives as long as the others. The last one was, by my estimation, a hundred years old & lived the last 13 years in these conditions. It did have a little rust on top but that’s because I was storing my muriatic acid on top of it before I knew better. It was still running but it was ugly & not frost free.
The previous one before that was also quite old when I got it & probably still runs today at its new owner’s house with them wishing it would kick the bucket. It lived on my shallow porch for 8 years.
Just get the one that does the job & is the color you want. Even if it’s not- there’s always spray paint