Outdoor Refrigerators

Ideal for Your Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor refrigerators are a common fixture in many outdoor kitchens. Incorporating an outdoor fridge in a kitchen plan is a smart and practical idea and blurs the line between outdoor and indoor and helps you enjoy life in your backyard.

Outdoor kitchens and refrigerators go hand in hand, especially in terms of convenience. Having a refrigerator outdoors will save you time and effort as you do not have to run inside your house to get your fresh ingredients when cooking. If you are entertaining, the outside refrigerator would come in handy for keeping your drinks accessible and cold. It is like having your own backyard bar. Plus, you do not have to check constantly if your guests still have drinks because they can get their own drinks anytime themselves.

Things You Should Know About Outdoor Fridges:
Because an outdoor use refrigerator is exposed to harsh environmental conditions such as rain, water and humidity, most of them are available in stainless steel to prevent rusting. The outdoor models have a cooling capacity that exceeded that of your indoor refrigerator. This is because in some hotter areas, the temperature outside can be very high, thus the compressor of your refrigerator must deliver more cooling power. The technology for outdoor fridges is so advanced that a solution has been created to protect the gasket area from condensation – this really comes handy in high air moisture areas. Electrical heaters or strip heaters have proven effective in preventing condensation.

Indoor Refrigerator vs. Outdoor Refrigerator:
As you know by now, not all refrigerators are manufactured equal. The Outdoor models have to be durable and able to resist harsh weather conditions. Do not make the mistake of assuming that an indoor refrigerator can also be used outdoors. An outdoor model has more power and better insulation compared with your indoor fridge. This way, an outdoor unit can keep your drinks cool and refreshing even during hot summers.

Buying Tips:
Find an outdoor refrigerator that carries a seal of approval from the Underwriters Laboratories (UL). The seal indicates that the refrigerator and its parts are safe to be used outdoor, having been tested and passed the weatherproofing tests of UL. Choose an outdoor fridge that is made of stainless steel to ensure that it will not rust. Preferably, choose a refrigerator made of grade 300 stainless steel instead of plastic-wrapped steel product, usually made with grades 416 and 430 stainless steel.
Find a front-vented outdoor unit labeled as built-in unit if you are planning to build the appliance into cabinetry. A freestanding unit requires about an inch of ventilation clearance on all sides. Energy efficient outdoor refrigerators are the way to go for smart buyers. An outdoor fridge needs more power to operate, thus an energy efficient unit can help you save on your electric cost. Make sure that you choose a refrigerator unit that is Energy-Star rated. For safety, keep the unit away from the fireplace or grill.
Safety features are important when it comes to outdoor refrigeration units. And because almost all outdoor units have compact design, with handles low to the ground, children can have access to them. So find a refrigerator with a lock to prevent small children from opening them.
Outdoor refrigerators may also come as wine coolers or refreshment centers. They usually have glass doors and shelves that can hold bottles or cans. They can be used outdoors as long as they are rust-proof, have proper ventilation and are weather-proof.

A Peak at Some Popular Outdoor Refrigerators:
There are many outdoor refrigeration units available on the market. But there are always brands that are ahead of their competitors in terms of popularity. One of this is the Waeco MyFridge which has advanced thermoelectric cooling system to ensure superior cooling and a silent fan system. Another unit to consider is the KORU06RSSS KitchenAid undercounter outdoor refrigerator, made of 304 stainless steel grade inside and outside. This will ensure the unit is durable enough to withstand harsh weather conditions and last for a long time.
The Lynx 24-inch stainless steel outdoor fridge is UL listed and has ample space to allow you to store large amounts of drinks and food.

Summary:
An outdoor kitchen will never be complete without an outdoor refrigerator. Therefore, when planning to build an outdoor kitchen, make sure that you include it in your design and budget. The convenience of easy access and storage of food and drinks is worth the money that you will spend when buying outdoor fridge.
There are more a number of brands and models of refrigerators for outdoor use on the market and finding one that will fit your needs and budget should not be difficult.

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