Best Garage Refrigerators (2022 Top Refrigerator Models)

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Don’t you just hate having all of those bulk drinks you purchased from Costco sitting in the hot pantry and not being ice cold when you want one? What about those family gatherings when you run out of space in your kitchen refrigerator?

You’ve been thinking about buying a garage refrigerator but you just aren’t sure which one will work? Will they be too expensive or break down due to the heat?

Let me stop you there. We love our garage refrigerator. It gets so much use and stores so many drinks the neighborhood kids call our garage the Jiffy Mart. It was one of the best decisions we have made since moving into this house 5 years ago.

I’ll help you find the perfect garage fridge in this article and calm your fears about expense or maintenance.

Questions About Putting a Refrigerator in the Garage

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Pros and Cons of a Garage Refrigerator

Before deciding on whether or not you want to purchase a refrigerator for your garage, take a look at both the benefits and potential negatives of having an extra refrigerator.

Once you weigh both sides of the issue, you can better decide what is the best route to take.

Here are a few of the benefits, drawbacks, and impact of having a refrigerator in your garage.

Benefits

• Space for additional food, drink and snack items used on an everyday basis
• Storage for bulkier items, such as bottled and canned beverages
• Room for prepared foods for special occasions, holidays and family get-togethers
• Storage for meals (freezer meals) prepared ahead of time
• Freezing and storage ability for large amounts of fresh meat, poultry, and fish
• Storage for perishable dairy items in large sizes, such as gallon milk jugs and ice cream containers
• Opportunity to actually purchase an updated and optimum efficiency refrigerator
• Reduction in clutter from the main refrigerator
• Ease of finding what you need–no digging!
• Tempting food and drinks are more out of sight, out of mind

Cons / Drawbacks

• The possibility of increased utility bills
• The second fridge may be underutilized
• Placement choice may not accommodate access to the power source
• Garage space placement may be too small, crowded or inconvenient for food and drink retrieval
• Continual maintenance and cleaning chores with a refrigerator housed in a garage
• Could bring on added expenses with possible breakdowns and repairs
• Varying or extreme garage temperatures could affect refrigerator cooling function

Best Garage Refrigerator Reviews

Now that you’ve scanned through the positives and negatives of owning a second or garage refrigerator, here are a few reviews on some selected refrigerators, in varying sizes and capacities, which could possibly wind up in your garage.

The interior of the refrigerator contains LED efficient lighting, four adjustable pullout shelves, which are split to accommodate space for varying containers and food and drink items. There are two clear crisper bins at the bottom of the refrigerator as well as an upper meat/deli bin that keeps fish, meat and cold sandwich deli meats at around 32 degrees.

The lower side door, which can be reversed, has an interior area where storage consists of two long columns with 4 trays, deep enough for 2 liter bottles. There is also a self-contained covered butter/margarine container above the other storage spaces. The upper freezer side door has two long clear storage spaces for frozen juice cans and other narrow frozen food items.

This refrigerator is energy efficient, although it is not Energy Star Certified. It has an estimated yearly energy cost of $43, which, of course, hinges on current utility rates of the local area. The refrigerator comes with a User Manual and there is a limited Frigidaire Warranty, with proof of sale/purchase, for one year from the date of purchase for material or workmanship defects.

What to Look for

Look for the Energy Star or ES rating on any refrigerator that is going to be used in a garage area. This particular Frigidaire model is both quiet and effective at cooling at high and lower altitudes, in and out of a garage. It is extremely efficient in its ability to adjust to the temperature of the area in which it is placed. Its inner lighting function is substantial and allows for easy retrieval late at night.

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The interior side door contains three curved integrated shelving units as well as an area to the side of the shelves for canned drinks. The bottom shelf is extended to hold larger bottles and other containers, while the other two shelves allow for storage of larger bottles, other containers, and eggs.

Most importantly, the Danby is Energy Star compliant, which means it should save about $32 a year on utility costs, which will depend on local utility rates and actual use. The refrigerator does carry an 18-month warranty for functional parts, and it also comes with a User’s Guide and other information. Though small, this refrigerator holds a significant number of beverage containers and is a good size for use in a one-car garage and other small spaces, like dormitories, assisted living facilities, studio apartments, and motel/hotel rooms.

What to Look for

With this particular model, watch for structural issues, possible noise, freezer malfunctioning, and the possibility of manual defrosting as well as limited air circulation within the unit. It may be necessary to utilize a cooling fan to adequately circulate the air.

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The fridge contains two shelves that are removable along with a crisper that maintains fruit and produce for a significant period of time. It has a small covered upper freezer area with a drip tray and a small ice cube container. There is no automatic ice maker.

The temperature settings are at the right of the freezer area and are easily adjusted for adequate cooling of drinks and other items. It keeps drinks and other items extremely cold, even in the warmest of conditions, and the unit itself cools quickly from the initial plugin and startup.

Its side door has a vertical plastic wired dispenser for at least 6 regular canned drinks and there are other storage indentations with protective wired closures for bottled drinks and cans. The very top of the side door has a barred storage area that allows for placement of at least 5 or 6 small bottles or canned drinks.

The toolbox appearance is only for looks as there are no workable storage drawers. There are plastic strips across the front that appear like drawer handles.

The fridge’s red color and style does blend in with other tools in a garage workspace and provide a convenient and camouflaged way to keep other hands out of the “food tools.” The unit has a 1-year limited warranty, and instructions and other information that accompany the refrigerator are limited.

What to Look for

For a small refrigerator, which really is comparable to a Craftsman Tool Box, though not quite as red, there could be issues with the holes for insertion of the locking wheels. They are quite small and may have to be further drilled out for proper sizing.

The lack of instructional materials is a little unnerving, but it is fairly easy to set up this fridge. The faux front drawers/handles are deceiving, but the rest of the refrigerator is attractive and fits in with a garage environment.

Damage can occur through possible poor packaging and mishaps in shipping and handling, so it is important to report problems and keep the warranty handy for replacement purposes.

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Other Good Refrigerators on Our Runner’s Up Lists

While these don’t meet our “best” criteria, we are constantly on the lookout for refrigerators that will work in garage conditions, straight out of the box or with a garage kit. The following are runner’s Ups and might fit your exact requirements.

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Final Thoughts on Refrigerator Temperatures

First, all of the refrigerators we review here are easily adaptable to garage placement. Their exterior and interior sizing and their energy saving performance and cooling factors also make them flexible in a garage environment where temperatures can wildly fluctuate.

They all can be utilized in and out of a garage and can handle different capacities and item numbers.

There are a few drawbacks with temperature controls, but most of those hindrances can be overlooked because of the overall quality and efficient cooling factors involved with these three garage refrigerators.

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Maintenance Tips for Your Refrigerator or Freezer

It doesn’t take much to find the best garage refrigerators. All it takes is a little time, effort and online research and you are on your way to a cooler food and drink future.

A huge source of parts for garage fridges (and all appliances really) is Sears PartsDirect. They have tons of parts for all major brands, even if the appliance wasn’t originally sold by Sears. Here is the direct page for their refrigerator section.

If you have any questions about getting a garage fridge let me know in the comments or send me a message. I’ll help as best I can. Thanks for reading this far!

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