Freezers

[sprayermick]

My chest freezer conked out yesterday so will have to buy a new one, the old one was situated in our garage for about 12 years however when looking for a replacement online I noticed most of them state "not suitable for use in a garage outbuilding" so what is the difference between those that are and those that are not (apart from the price) ?

[redman41]

Quote:

In a cold location the freezer may begin to defrost or even completely defrost. Most fridge freezers will only operate satisfactorily in an ambient temperature down to plus 10 degrees C although some need a minimum of plus 18 degrees C. This may seem strange but the fridge thermostat governs the operation of the freezer and if the ambient temperature drops to either of the figures above the fridge will switch off. That will not be a problem for the fridge which should be cool enough to keep its contents safe but it will mean that the freezer will cease to work and that will create a problem.

Take note of the Climate Class of the appliance which will tell you the temperature range that the appliance is suitable for use in. The classes are as follows:
N – ambient temperatures between +16 to +32 degrees C
SN - ambient temperatures between +10 to +32 degrees C
ST - ambient temperatures between +18 to +38 degrees C
Also note the higher temperatures which should be taken into account if the appliance is somewhere that is likely to get hot in the summer.

[jomifl]

Cheaper fridge freezers often have only one compressor which operate both fridge and freezer. The split of cooling is set to maintain the temperature of the freezer let's say 30C below the fridge. so the warmer the house is then the longer the compressor is on to maintain the temp. in the fridge and hence the freezer which is slaved to it follows suit. If the temperature outside the fridge is below the fridge thermostat setting of 5C( as in a garge in winter) the compressor does not operate so the freezer warms up to ambient temperature which if above 0C results in the contents of the freezer thawing.

[sprayermick]

Thanks for the info so far but as stated this for a chest freezer and NOT a fridge/freezer so surly a freezer should be capable of working in a garage.

[twofeathers]

Actually all manufacturers seem to say no, Because of ambient temps(as stated)
But I like you have been using one in the outbuildings for years( I recommend buying something similar to the one you already have, and carry on the same (IF YOU DO HAVE ANY TROUBLE) the new one will be guarenteed and they will replace it (JUST DONT SAY IT WAS IN THE GARAGE)

[hc4361]

Some years ago the gas or coolant that keeps your freezer cold was outlawed and changed to something else. I don't know the technicalities of it but it seems the old stuff was fine for outhouses and the new stuff isn't.

[Ann]

Don't worry Mick, we bought a very cheap freezer to be sited in our garden shed from Currys in November and it stated the minimum temperature had to be 10 degrees (my kitchen isn't even that!!!) I ignored that advice and it's worked perfectly through the Winter, although admittedly it wasn't a cold winter.

[ubasses]

Beko are apparently the only manufacturer who make freezers for the garage.

[Ratty2E]

We had a problem a few years ago with our freezer in the garage not working during a very cold winter. Once we found out it was because of the cold we now place a small greenhouse heater next to it when it gets particularly cold and it's been fine since. We were recommended a Beko for the garage and will be looking at them when we need to replace this one.