Many fridges and freezers are not built for cold garages. When the garage gets too cold, a fridge with one thermostat may stop running, and its freezer section can start to thaw. Check your owner’s manual for the safe temperature range, or choose a model made for garage use.
Why Cold Weather Causes Problems
Many fridge-freezer combos have just one thermostat, and it sits in the fresh-food side. In a cold garage, that side already feels cold, so the fridge thinks its job is done. The compressor barely runs, and the freezer above or below slowly warms up.
Very low temperatures can also make it harder for the compressor to start. That is why a fridge that works fine all summer can act up in January.
Summer Heat Is Hard on Them Too
Hot New Jersey summers bring the opposite problem. In a hot garage, a fridge or freezer runs nearly nonstop to stay cold. That extra work wears out fans, relays, and compressors faster.
Signs Your Garage Unit Is Struggling
- Frozen food feels soft, or ice cream turns runny
- Frost builds up quickly inside the freezer
- The unit seems to never shut off in summer
- The unit seems to never turn on in winter
- Water collects on the floor under it
8 Tips for a Garage Fridge or Freezer
Common Problems and What to Do
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Freezer food soft in winter | Check the room temperature range, consider a heater kit, or move the unit inside |
| Runs nonstop in summer | Clean the coils, add space around it, and keep it out of direct sun |
| Frost building up fast | Check the door seal and make sure the door closes all the way |
| Unit suddenly off | Check the GFCI outlet and the breaker |
| Still warm after these steps | A part may have failed. Call for repair. |
Should You Move It Inside for Winter?
If your manual says the unit is not made for cold rooms, the safest choice is to move it to a heated basement or utility room for the winter. If you keep it in the garage, check the temperature inside it often.
Chest Freezer or Upright: Which Is Better for a Garage?
Both can work well in the right space. A chest freezer opens from the top, so less cold air spills out when you open it. An upright freezer takes up less floor space and is easier to organize.
Many uprights are frost-free, which means they have more parts, like a defrost heater and a fan, that can be affected by very cold or very hot garages. Whichever kind you choose, check the room temperature range in the manual before you buy.
What to Do During a Power Outage
Winter storms can knock out power. The USDA says a full freezer holds its temperature for about 48 hours, and a half-full freezer for about 24 hours, if the door stays closed.
- Keep the freezer door closed as much as you can.
- Keep the freezer fairly full. Frozen jugs of water help fill empty space.
- Once power comes back, check the freezer thermometer before you decide what to keep.
When to Call for Repair
If your garage unit is still warm after these steps, call us for freezer repair or refrigerator repair. We see many garage freezers in towns like Edison and Sayreville, and we repair brands like Frigidaire that are common in garages.
We repair garage fridges and freezers from all major brands, including Frigidaire, GE, Whirlpool, and Haier. Our technicians come to homes in East Brunswick and nearby towns like South River, Milltown, Helmetta, Monroe Township, New Brunswick, and Sayreville. See all service areas or how to reach us. For more tips, browse all our appliance repair guides.