What Is a Garage-Ready Freezer?

Keep your food frozen whether the temperature in the garage is 0 degrees or 110 degrees

woman putting food into freezer
Photo: ilkermetinkursova/ istock/ Getty images
woman putting food into freezer
Photo: ilkermetinkursova/ istock/ Getty images
Highlights
  • Garage-ready freezers are ideal for uninsulated garages where temperature fluctuations are expected.

  • These freezers have specially-designed components that protect the motor and keep the appliance running smoothly in a wide range of temperatures.

  • If you live in an area where outdoor temperatures could damage a regular freezer, a garage-ready freezer is the way to go.

Get quotes from up to 3 pros!
Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you.
Geo Icon

When you own a deep freezer, you can store food in bulk and be ready for anything. But where do you put it? The garage is a convenient spot, but the temperature fluctuations in there can tax electronics and motors. 

A garage-ready freezer, however, can live in the garage and keep working whether it’s sweltering hot or below freezing outside. That means you can stock all the frozen pizza your heart desires, and the freezer won’t malfunction when the seasons change.

What Is a Garage-Ready Freezer?

A garage-ready freezer is a freezer that operates normally even in a wide range of temperatures. It can be placed in an uninsulated garage and still maintain a steady temperature, even if the temperature in the garage would cause other standard freezers to malfunction.

Garage-ready freezers have specially-engineered features that make them suitable for homes in areas where the weather swings from freezing cold winters to blazing hot summers. Many of them feature energy-efficient compressors that can keep up with the added demand, plus thicker insulation and a heavy-duty gasket around the door.

What Does It Mean When a Freezer Is Garage-Ready?

food in deep freezer
Photo: Audrey/ Adobe Stock

When a freezer is garage-ready, you can install it in your garage without worrying that temperature fluctuations will cause damage. It will still freeze your food in the middle of a sweltering July, and it won’t stop working during a January cold snap because it “thinks” it’s already cold enough. That means you don’t have to worry about your food thawing just because the weather’s bad.

What Is a Garage-Ready Upright Freezer?

A garage-ready upright freezer is a vertical freezer that is taller than it is wide, with a door on the front and shelves inside to hold food. You can install a garage-ready upright freezer in your uninsulated garage and be confident it will keep your food frozen, even if the temperature rises or falls. It doesn’t need to be in a moderate or room-temperature space, like many traditional deep freezers do.

What Is a Garage-Ready Chest Freezer?

Garage-ready chest freezers are designed to withstand harsh temperature changes and are wider than they are tall, with a lid that opens from the top. You’ll typically need to stack food in a chest freezer, though many models come with organizing racks and sliders. To retrieve food from a garage-ready chest freezer, you lift the lid and reach in instead of opening a door. Garage-ready chest freezers offer lots of space for bulky items and are often the freezer of choice for people who buy in bulk.

What Happens If I Use a Regular Freezer in the Garage?

You might be wondering, do I really need a garage-ready freezer, or can I just use a regular freezer instead? Putting a regular freezer in an uninsulated garage can overload the compressor, causing it to work harder to keep the food frozen. It will also draw more power, causing your energy bills to rise, and is just overall an inefficient method of freezing your food. If you have a regular freezer in your garage or other uninsulated area, you may need to tap a 

local fridge repair pro before long to fix broken compressors or other problems.

What’s the Best Freezer for Garage Use?

For people in four-season climates, especially those that see freezing winter temps and scorching summer highs, a garage-ready freezer will give you the best energy efficiency and the best results for your food. Many people choose chest freezers for the garage, as they are ideal for buying and storing frozen food in bulk.

No matter which type of freezer you choose, make sure you keep up with freezer maintenance to keep your appliance working its best.

Need professional help with your project?
Get quotes from top-rated pros.
The homeowners guide to appliance repairs
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
a silver refrigerator in a modern kitchen
Apr 16, 2025
Apr 16, 2025
One of the most common fridge problems is a blown compressor motor. Use this guide to determine the cost of replacing the compressor and to estimate the total cost of your repair.
waste disposal leak under the sink
Apr 11, 2025
Apr 11, 2025
If your garbage disposal is leaking from the bottom, it could be the connections, sink flange, or more. Keep reading to find out why your disposal is leaking.
Laundry basket of clothes near washing machine
Apr 14, 2025
Apr 14, 2025
Why is my washer not filling with water? The answer could be simple enough to fix yourself, or it may require professional repair. Here's how to know.
A person setting the washing machine while doing laundry.
Apr 14, 2025
Apr 14, 2025
Why is my wash machine flooding when on hot water? Discover why this common problem happens, what you can do about it, and who to call to fix it.
A woman loading dirty clothes in washing machine
Apr 20, 2025
Apr 20, 2025
Dryer fires are scary, but they are also largely preventable. Here are seven causes of dryer fires and how to prevent them from happening.
Wood burning stove
Apr 15, 2025
Apr 15, 2025
If your home smells like a wildfire, it’s time to figure out why your wood burning stove is smoking and how to get rid of the fumes.