Keeping a deep freezer outside

[AmericangirlinFrance]

We are thinking about buying a deep chest freezer. The only place we have to store it would be on our screened-in patio (outside). We live in Florida, so it is hot year round! The freezer would not be in direct sun... the porch is in the shade all the time.

Has anyone done this? Will it cook the freezer if we can't keep it inside? We live in a small condo, so keeping it inside is really not an option.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I don't know the answer, but I bet they have temp recommendations in the owners manual. I know they make refrigerators for outside kitchens and bars, but not sure about freezers.

 

[lizabu]

I don't think you really get extreme temperatures in Florida. I've known people to keep freezers in unheated garages and I live in Canada where we do get extreme temperatures. I don't think it's ideal but I don't think it will break the freezer either.

 

[North of Mouse]

We are thinking about buying a deep chest freezer. The only place we have to store it would be on our screened-in patio (outside). We live in Florida, so it is hot year round! The freezer would not be in direct sun... the porch is in the shade all the time.

Has anyone done this? Will it cook the freezer if we can't keep it inside? We live in a small condo, so keeping it inside is really not an option.

I'm in the south also, not the deep south at the time, but I have a 2nd side by side that I keep in our garage (and it can get *very* hot out there in the summer). It does fine, as far as keeping food cold. I'm sure it does run a lot more (take more electricity) than the freezer we have in our inside utility, but we do enjoy the extra space.

One of my complaints is that the humidity keeps the outside and gaskets looking yucky with mildew, so I have to clean it pretty often. I'm pretty certain it's not the *ideal* place for it, probably hard on motor, plus shortened life because of rusting out eventually, but it can be done.

If you're willing for those conditions, it can definitely be done. Good luck!

 

[Poohforyou]

We have a Gladiator Chillerator that is made to withstand the temp fluctuations of a garage. We live in NJ where winters can go into single digits and summers can go over 100. Typically our temp range is 20-90.

 

[AmericangirlinFrance]

I'm in the south also, not the deep south at the time, but I have a 2nd side by side that I keep in our garage (and it can get *very* hot out there in the summer). It does fine, as far as keeping food cold. I'm sure it does run a lot more (take more electricity) than the freezer we have in our inside utility, but we do enjoy the extra space.

One of my complaints is that the humidity keeps the outside and gaskets looking yucky with mildew, so I have to clean it pretty often. I'm pretty certain it's not the *ideal* place for it, probably hard on motor, plus shortened life because of rusting out eventually, but it can be done.

If you're willing for those conditions, it can definitely be done. Good luck!

Good point... I think the humidity here would be much more of a problem than the temperatures. It doesn't get as hot here as it does in the midwest in the summer, but the humidity is crazy all the time.

 

[North of Mouse]

We have a Gladiator Chillerator that is made to withstand the temp fluctuations of a garage. We live in NJ where winters can go into single digits and summers can go over 100. Typically our temp range is 20-90.

Whirlpool has discontinued making them, don't know who else makes them. Anyway, the OP doesn't *need* the heater part - don't think the chill factor is a problem I'm sure those types are more useful up north, not down here.

 

[Darcy03231]

Before you get one check your condo assn rules to make sure you can put it on your patio. Some places have lots of rules about what can and cannot be on patios.

 

[atp]

Where I live, it's is almost unheard of to have a climate controlled home. You have a few air conditioning units in some rooms like the bedroom and living room, IF that.

I for one don't even have air conditioning, just fans.

It gets very hot here in the summer, and a lot of people have freezes, myself included, and they work just fine.

I'm thinking that, as long as the porch doesn't get any hotter than it would inside the house without A/C and there's no risk of it getting wet if it rains, it will be fine.

 

[kimblebee]

LOL outside right now we have 2' of snow so we have a natural outdoor freezer.

 

[North of Mouse]

Before you get one check your condo assn rules to make sure you can put it on your patio. Some places have lots of rules about what can and cannot be on patios.

If her patio is like a screened room, it's nobody's business what she has there.

 

[AmericangirlinFrance]

If her patio is like a screened room, it's nobody's business what she has there.

Yes, it's like a screened room, not an open patio. There is a solid roof and screens on the outside. There is a side section that is completely enclosed by walls, not screens (although there isn't a door to close it off from the rest of the patio) - if that makes sense - and that is probably where I would put it. You wouldn't really be able to see it too much from the outside unless you were looking in at a weird angle.

That is a good point to check condo association rules. We have some not very nice names for the little old ladies around here who have nothing better to do but snoop around to see who is not following the rules.

 

[powellrj]

We have kept our deep freeze on our screened porch for over 20 years, but its in Indiana not Florida. We have never had a problem.

 

[usnuzuloose]

Mine sat outside and I live in Ca. I never had a problem.

 

[tuckerkeys]

When we go to the FL Keys, pretty much every home has a chest freezer outside. Used for bait & ice mainly, but a friend uses 1 of his for food as well. I've seen them in sheds, under overhangs, in full sun, you name it

I have 2 chest freezers, as well as a fridge in my garage.....but I'm in NJ.

 

[FLLDYTRKR]

Not sure where you are in FL--But if you are close to the ocean beware of the salt air causing it to rust out fast.. Think about the drain pan also if the patio has carpet..Also you will need to keep up the seals--a good wiping down with vinegar helps to keep the mold at bay...another thing is there power on your patio to plug it in?? Or will you have to run the cord in thru a door or window...beware of bugs and such getting into the house.

 

[AmericangirlinFrance]

Not sure where you are in FL--But if you are close to the ocean beware of the salt air causing it to rust out fast.. Think about the drain pan also if the patio has carpet..Also you will need to keep up the seals--a good wiping down with vinegar helps to keep the mold at bay...another thing is there power on your patio to plug it in?? Or will you have to run the cord in thru a door or window...beware of bugs and such getting into the house.

We are in south FL, very close to the ocean. Rust and mold/mildew would be my main concerns... I wonder if we were very diligent about keeping it clean and wiped down, if that would help?? Hmm. Just not sure if it's worth it if the freezer will be broken in a year from salt air/moisture breakdown.

Patio is definitely not carpeted and we do have an outside outlet there, so we wouldn't have to run a cord into the house. I wouldn't be okay with that... not just for bugs, but for all the other fun little critters we have down here (lizards, snakes, etc!).

Well, thanks all for your input. Sounds like the temperature wouldn't be a problem, but the humidity might. I'll have to think about it.

 

[Darcy03231]

If her patio is like a screened room, it's nobody's business what she has there.

While I agree, I do know that some condos have lots of rules, while others don't. I'd hate to see anyone make a large purchase and then find out it's not allowed under the rules. One of the biggest reasons why I'd never by a condo or a house in a neighborhood with an HOA.

 

[ChristmasElf]

Yes, it's like a screened room, not an open patio. There is a solid roof and screens on the outside. There is a side section that is completely enclosed by walls, not screens (although there isn't a door to close it off from the rest of the patio) - if that makes sense - and that is probably where I would put it. You wouldn't really be able to see it too much from the outside unless you were looking in at a weird angle.

That is a good point to check condo association rules. We have some not very nice names for the little old ladies around here who have nothing better to do but snoop around to see who is not following the rules.

Sounds like a good place to put the freezer to me! Buy a few pots and put flowers in them for the old ladies to look at, and they won't notice the freezer.

 

[clm10308]

This is probably not a problem where you live, but where I live there was a man who came home from a vacation and thought his house had been broken into. Turns out that a bear had gotten on his porch and got into the freezer.