Fridges & freezer for outhouse

[Thebeeman]

We have 3 freezers of different brands in an shed, for bulk buying to answer that question, and they run happily when the cat's water bowls are frozen in there. Surely if the ambient is that low they don't need to run.

[AGT]

What stops the fridge working in the low temperatures?

Would you insulate the back of the fridge/compressor area say with foil blanket, keeping the heat in.

The problem mainly exists for combined fridge freezers.
If the temperature is low enough that the fridge does not need to work, the compressor won't run and the freezer will not stay cold enough.

Why would you want a fridge in your garage/outhouse ?? Just making a tea dear --------- popping to the garage for milk ??
George

I kept it when we did the place up, it’s handy for parties, Christmas etc… just wanted to make sure nothing would spoil if the temps like now are about 5 deg.
Also trying to get more organised regarding a bit of batch cooking, one to eat, one to freeze
It’s a fridge/freezer

[Stinsy]

Lets be clear about the problem here!

Cheapo fridge-freezers have only one thermostat in the fridge bit and one compressor. They run the compressor when the fridge needs cooling and just rely on the oversized evaporator in the freezer part to keep the food frozen. However when the outside temperature is below 5℃ the fridge thermostat will never trigger and your food will defrost.

The fridge-freezers that are rated for sheds/garages have an additional thermostat in the freezer part to prevent your food defrosting in these conditions. However thy do nothing to prevent the food in your fridge from freezing.

If you have separate fridge and freezer this isn't a problem.