• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

OutdoorMancave.com

The Best Outdoor Patio Products Reviewed

  • Fire & Heat
    • Patio Heaters
    • Fire Pits
      • Fire Pit Tables
      • Propane Fire Pits
      • Wood Burning Fire Pits
    • Chimineas
      • Clay Chiminea
      • Cast Iron Chiminea
      • Aluminum Chiminea
  • Outdoor Entertainment
    • Outdoor Projectors
    • Outdoor Projector Screens
    • Outdoor Speakers
  • Patio Furniture
    • Swing Chairs
    • Benches
    • Bistro Sets
    • Zero Gravity Chairs
  • Patio Shade
    • Grill Gazebo
    • Patio Umbrellas
    • Soft Top Gazebo
    • Hardtop Gazebo
    • Pergola
    • Awnings
    • Pop Up Canopy
  • Patio Accessories
    • Bird Baths
    • Hot Tubs
      • Inflatable Hot Tubs
    • Outdoor Lighting
      • Lanterns
      • String Lights
  • Outdoor Kitchen
    • Outdoor Refrigerators
    • Grills
      • Smokers
      • Propane Grills
      • Charcoal Grills
    • Grill Accessories
      • Grill Tables
      • Grill Gazebos
    • Cooking Utensils
    • Patio Cooking

What Makes a Fridge Outdoor Rated?

By Kevin Early. We may earn commissions on some links.

Some fridges are designed for outdoor use, while others are designed for indoor use. The main difference between these two, and what dictates whether a fridge is better suited for indoor or outdoor use is the metal that it is constructed with. Generally speaking, most fridges (both indoor and outdoor) are designed and built with stainless steel. It is the grade of this stainless steel which decides whether this fridge is suitable for indoor or outdoor use.

Even though stainless steel is incredibly durable, it is still susceptible to the elements. No metal is completely immune to water and weather exposure, but some are able to withstand more damage before they break. Stainless steel comes in a variety of different strengths, some will be suitable for outdoor use, while others will only be suitable for indoor use.

In order for a fridge to be outdoor rated it has to be constructed using a special type of stainless steel known as ‘304 food grade’. This type of stainless steel is insanely durable which is why it is possible to use it outdoors. If you used a fridge made of anything below this outdoors then it would be susceptible to the weather and damaged every time that it rained, snowed, or even became very warm.

So, in short, for a fridge to be outdoor rated it must be constructed with stainless steel that is at least ‘304 food grade’ rated. Otherwise, the refrigerator will not be suitable for outdoor use.


Can a bar fridge be used outside?

Yes, bar refrigerators can be used outside. However, it is very important that you only use refrigerators that are designed for outdoor use outside your home. While you might be able to transport your indoor fridge outside, these devices are not built for use outside the home. This means that no matter the weather, even if it is warm and sunny, your refrigerator will become damaged from this outdoor use.

This is why it is very important that you only use refrigerators that are designed for outdoor use outside your home. As we have said, outdoor refrigerators are designed with different metal to indoor refrigerators, and this metal is a lot more durable. This means that no matter the weather outside, your outdoor refrigerator will be able to do its job properly without becoming damaged.

All outdoor refrigerators are constructed using 304 food grade stainless steel or above. This type of stainless steel is one of the most durable which makes it perfect for using outside as it will not become worn or damaged by adverse weather conditions. But, unless your refrigerator is designed for outdoor use you should not use it outside.

So, yes, fridges can be used outside. However, the only refrigerators that should be used outside are ones that have been specifically designed for use outside the home, otherwise they will quickly become damaged and break.


Can outdoor refrigerators get wet?

As you might expect, yes, outdoor refrigerators can get wet. In fact, the fact that they can do this is a big part of their design and what makes them suitable for outdoor use. As we have said, outdoor refrigerators are constructed with 304 food grade stainless steel which is made to be insanely durable. This intense durability is what makes this type of stainless steel suitable for outdoor use in all weather conditions, ensuring that if you use this fridge in sunshine, rain, or, even, snow, it will not break.

The main reason that you might want your outdoor refrigerator to be immune to wet is because of the chance of rain. However, you might also want your outdoor refrigerator to be okay with water because of the design of your garden. If you have an outdoor bar nearby an outdoor swimming pool in your garden, then you may also want the refrigerator to be able to get wet in order to protect it from water splashes made by guests in the pool.

So, yes, even if your outdoor refrigerator is fitted into an outdoor kitchen or bar, it is safe for it to get wet. It can be a cause of concern for many people as refrigerators use electricity and historically water and electric do not mix well. But, there’s no need to worry as outdoor refrigerators are specifically designed so that if any water gets onto the fridge it will get nowhere near the electrics. Ensuring that it is perfectly safe to use your outdoor refrigerator outdoors.


Do you need a special refrigerator for outdoors?

Yes, you do need a special refrigerator if you want to be able to use it outdoors. There is quite a large price difference between outdoor and indoor refrigerators, but despite this the actual difference between the two is fairly minor. In fact, the only real difference between an outdoor and indoor refrigerator is the material that they are built with.

Almost all refrigerators, both indoor and outdoor, are constructed using stainless steel. But it is the grade of stainless steel used that makes the biggest difference between the two. Indoor refrigerators are made of sturdy stainless steel, but it is much less durable than the stainless steel that is used to construct outdoor refrigerators.

Outdoor refrigerators are constructed with much stronger stainless steel which is able to withstand the elements. If it were not able to do this, the refrigerator would not be suitable for outdoor use.

Other than this there is only one very minor difference between outdoor and indoor refrigerators, and that is the protection given to the electrical components of the device. Indoor refrigerators protect their electrical components from water, but in outdoor refrigerators this is completed on a much larger scale as they are more likely to be exposed to bad weather. So yes, you do need a special refrigerator if you want to use it outdoors.


Why are outdoor fridges so expensive?

If you have ever looked to buy an outdoor refrigerator, you might have been taken aback by the large price difference between the two. This is made even worse by the fact that most outdoor refrigerators are much smaller than indoor refrigerators, even though they are much more expensive.

Of course, the main difference between the two is the fact that outdoor refrigerators can be used outdoors. But it is the work that goes into making these devices suitable for outdoor use that causes the large price difference.

In order for outdoor fridges to be suitable for outdoor use, they have to be built using much stronger steel of 304 food grade quality. But this isn’t the only thing that causes the price difference. Additionally, outdoor refrigerators require a lot more insulation in order for them to be suitable for outdoor use due to the fact that outside is generally hotter than inside. Especially during the summer months. That’s without even mentioning the extra work that has to go into protecting the electrical components of outdoor fridges.

So, the main reason that outdoor fridges are so expensive is because they require a lot more work in the manufacturing process than indoor fridges. Without this, the fridges would not be suitable for outdoor use which is why you have to pay the higher price if you want to be able to use your fridge outside.


Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

OutdoorMancave.com © 2023 is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com