There are 3 important considerations when looking for the best outdoor compact refrigerator for your situation:
- Make sure it's rated for outdoor use.
- Make sure it's rust resistant.
- Check that it's designed to be built-in or freestanding.
Outdoor refrigerators have to work harder because they're outside.
Outside temperature changes drastically and dramatically—from very hot in the day, to very cool at night. Not only do compressors have to work harder to keep everything cool and at an even temperature, they also have special insulation to compensate for temperature differences.
Also, the electrical components have to be weatherproofed. Outdoor refrigerators can be exposed to water and humidity from rain, or swimming pool splashing, or the like.
Outdoor fridges should be made from high-grade stainless steel for its ability to resist rust. Not all stainless steel is made with the same level of rust-resistance, so check your fridge specs when you buy.
Most refrigerators need a few inches of ventilation space on all sides, so that the heat removed from the inside of the fridge can be released into the air and environment.
When you build a fridge into a cabinet or outdoor kitchen island, this prevents air from circulating around the fridge, and inhibits the refrigerator’s ability to cool the inside.
So, some models are specially designed to have vent on the front so that they can be "built in" to these figures and fit snugly. This allows the the fridge to blow away the heat without needing extra space on the sides for ventilation.
Installing a “freestanding” fridge into your outdoor kitchen island without proper space and ventilation will not only make it difficult to refrigerate its contents, it may also overheat and cause damage.
There are other more aesthetic things to consider when looking for the best outdoor compact refrigerator. Check out a list of optional features midway down this article: 3 Good Outdoor Mini Refrigerators
For more information about outdoor compact refrigerators and fridge recommendations, check out the articles about outdoor refrigerators on 3GoodOnes.com.
