Can You Keep A Chest Freezer On A Porch? [Why NOT]

Chest freezers have been a staple in the homes of families for decades. A freezer is an essential appliance that helps to keep food from spoiling if it needs to be stored for a long time. One question that many people have once they purchase their chest freezer is, “Can I put my chest freezer on my porch?”

If you are concerned about running out of room inside your home and want to store more items, then read on!

We will discuss some important considerations before we determine whether or not your chest freezer can go outside.

Can You Keep A Chest Freezer On A Porch?

No, chest freezers should not be kept on a porch or patio. Leaving a chest (top) freezer outside can cause problems over time if moisture seeps into the unit or temperature fluctuations occur that could cause damage to the compressor or other parts inside of the appliance.

There are so many variables that can contribute to dramatic changes in the internal pressure and temperature of a freezer over time, it’s just not worth leaving one out in the elements.

Chest freezers are designed to be kept inside an insulated building where the ambient air temperature remains fairly steady throughout each day. When left outside, chest freezers could experience humidity build-up inside during warm, humid weather that will eventually drip down into the compressor fan.

The moisture may cause rusting on components or damage electrical wiring insulation until it seeps into a part that shorts out when power is turned on.

Freezer temperatures can vary by as much as 50 degrees from top to bottom depending on where you place it in relation to direct sunlight and how often it is opened throughout the day.

A warm sunny day can cause the temperature to rise on the inside of a chest freezer enough to ice up some areas and cause real problems for that appliance.

Read More: Can You Put A Refrigerator Outside? [PROS & CONS]

If you leave your freezer outside, even during winter, be sure that the lid is tightly shut at all times when it’s not being accessed.

Freezers are sensitive to power surges as well; even ones caused by lightning strikes miles away may damage one if it’s left plugged in outside or on an open porch through electrical lines running between poles or trees.

Freezers can be heavy in weight and tough to handle, even ones that have wheels. It isn’t worth the worry of having one stolen if you must leave it outside.

Bottom line is to keep all freezers inside where they are safe from the elements so they will last longer for you.

Can I Put A Freezer On An Unheated Porch?

It’s not a good idea to use a freezer on an unheated porch. Low temperatures can cause the oil and refrigerant in compressors to thicken, possibly preventing free rotation and adequate lubrication as they startup.

If the compressor fails, the oil may thicken and spill, corroding the unit. Some manufacturers add an electrical heater to compensate for colder temperatures. This heater is activated only when the freezer is plugged in and running.

If the freezer is used only occasionally it may be better to leave it in the house. The same applies if you have a large, insulated garage that stays above freezing.

If you do decide to use your freezer on an unheated porch, don’t just bundle it up with insulation. Keep it away from drafts by placing it at least 20 inches off the ground and five feet away from any outside wall or opening.

Also, keep the lid closed tightly so cold air doesn’t flow out of the unit, wasting energy. If possible, place plywood over the back of the open freezer to help hold in heat generated by its compressor.

Where Should You Put A Chest Freezer?

The kitchen, utility room, basement, garage, and laundry room are all good options for a freezer. When you don’t have much area to spare, consider putting a freezer in a guest bedroom or an outdoor shed.

Where you decide to put your chest freezer will have a tremendous impact on how efficient it will be. The two major factors are heat and accessibility.

If you can keep the chest freezer in an area that doesn’t get too hot, with easy access, you’re off to a good start.

Some people choose to put their chests in the basement because they tend to be cooler temperatures. Others put them in garages if it is heated or attached. It’s really up for debate as to where the best location maybe, but these tips should help you make a better decision:

The ideal temp range for most freezers is 0 degrees Fahrenheit – 10 degrees Fahrenheit; this gives you enough room for defrosting purposes and food longevity purposes as well.

In terms of location, anywhere from the middle to lower level of a home will be best. You may want to avoid placing it on an upper floor where heat rises easily.

Also keep in mind that if you choose to place your chest freezer in a garage or outside area, it’s going to have a harder time maintaining its low temperatures because of the fluctuating temperatures around it.

A chest freezer can maintain its cooling power better if it stays at one constant temperature instead of being exposed to extreme highs and lows frequently.

How Can I Protect My Outdoor Freezer?

There are a number of steps that you can take to protect your outdoor freezer from damage during the winter months.

1. Keeping your freezer in a heated garage or shed, you can prevent it from being exposed to freezing temperatures and ensure that nothing freezes inside the unit.

Of course, some freezer models have been designed for outdoor use and come with their own built-in protection against extreme weather conditions, but these will not work under all circumstances.

For example, if your power goes out during extremely cold weather your freezer’s contents may still freeze anyway.

2. Another thing that you can do is check on your freezer several times a day when the temperature drops sharply. If you don’t have a way to keep it indoors, you will need to periodically let warm air into the back of the freezer so that ice or snow doesn’t build up on the compressor.

This can prevent your freezer from being exposed for extended periods of time without being able to cool its contents.

3. You can use a freezer cover to protect your freezer from outdoor elements.

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Do Freezers Work Outside In Winter?

Most freezers are designed for indoor use only, so leaving your freezer outside during cold weather could jeopardize its lifespan.

There are many times that people think that they can use their freezer outside to keep things cold during the winter. While this idea seems like it would work, there are some issues with using a freezer outside in the winter. These problems include the following:

Freezers Are Not Designed For Outdoor Use

When you buy a freezer or refrigerator, it will usually have an “Indoor Only” warning on the package. This is because freezers and refrigerators were not designed for outdoor use.

Freezers need to be able to maintain sub-zero temperatures to preserve food effectively, so the condenser coils inside of most freezers become coated in frost when they are exposed to humidity or extreme temperature changes which can plug up airflow vents over time.

Freezer units also have to be properly vented in order for them to work which means that the heat of the unit is constantly being pushed outside instead of inside where it would contribute to heating up the space.

This constant push of air can lead to issues with condensation accumulating on indoor surfaces or ice/snow buildup on exterior surfaces if they are not able to fully ventilate these products.

Freezers Cannot Maintain Low Temperatures During Winter

During winter, outdoor temperatures drop significantly, especially when there is wind chill involved.

This means that even if you were able to eliminate all of the problems listed above, freezer units still would not be able to maintain sub-zero temperatures during wintertime because their cooling systems can only function within a certain temperature range.

Because of this, food stored in freezers outside during winter will tend to thaw out much faster than usual due to the higher ambient temperatures around them, especially if they are exposed to wind or other elements that can cool the freezer down further.

Freezers Are Exposed To The Elements

The exterior components of freezers are not designed to be used in direct contact with the elements outside.

This means that if you have a freezer unit sitting on your porch or patio, for example, water and other forms of precipitation could get trapped inside of the unit which would cause problems with rusting parts over time or cause damage to any electronics inside.

It can also lead to issues where insects might crawl into cavities in the interior components of the freezer if they are not sealed up properly.

Can You Put A Deep Freezer In A Hot Garage?

You can have a freezer in a garage that is well insulated and if the deep freezer will not be exposed to extreme temperatures. Temperatures above 110°F (43°C) and below 0°F (-17°C) can damage it.

A garage can be warm due to having no insulation or because it’s close to another warm room. If this is so, keep in mind that when you put your freezer in a garage with poor insulation -as described above- it opens itself up to heat infiltration over time.

This will raise the temperature inside the deep freezer because the temperature around it goes beyond what it’s designed for (above 110°F).

Additionally, if the garage is close to another warm room, it can be even warmer than what your freezer was designed for. This will put extra stress on the unit’s cooling system and components which can cause damage over time.

If you have a deep freezer in a garage that doesn’t get extremely hot or cold then there should not be any problems with it staying in place.

Just consider where your garage heater vents are located since they can affect temperatures around the freezer. But, if you live in an area of the world where the outside temperature goes above 110°F (43°C) degrees or below 0°F (-17°C), then leave your deep freezer in your home!

Conclusion

It is possible to keep a chest freezer on your porch, but it will depend on where you live. If you are in an area that has snow or gets cold during the winter, then it’s best not to place your chest freezer outside because of potential damage.