Can you put a drinks fridge outside?

Indoor fridges and outdoor conditions

Standard drinks and wine fridges are designed for indoor rooms. Rain and condensation can reach electrical parts, direct sun overheats the cabinet and glass door, and frost in winter can stop the fridge working properly or damage it. Most manuals state indoor use only, and outdoor use may void the warranty.

Even under cover, an open patio exposes the fridge to damp air, blown rain and wide temperature swings. A garden room or summer house with walls and a roof is a very different environment from an open pergola.

Climate class: the key spec

Every fridge has a climate class on its rating plate or in the manual, showing the room temperature range it is designed for. A fridge outside its range may not cool properly in heat or may stop running often enough in cold.

Garden rooms and summer houses

An insulated garden room that stays within the fridge's range is usually fine. An uninsulated summer house or shed can drop near freezing in winter and get very hot in summer, outside the range of many fridges. Some owners use the fridge only in the warmer months and unplug it, empty and with the door ajar, over winter.

Our wine fridge in a garage article covers similar issues for outbuildings.

Power and electrical safety

Outdoor power needs care. Use a fixed outdoor socket designed for the location, with RCD protection, installed by a qualified electrician. Do not run an extension lead from the house through a window or door, and do not leave plugs and leads where rain or garden water can reach them.

In England and Wales, some new outdoor circuits must meet building regulations and may need to be notified; your electrician will advise.

Note:Electricity and water are a dangerous mix. Never use an indoor fridge where it can get wet, and have outdoor sockets and circuits installed and checked by a qualified electrician.

Sun, shade and placement

Keep any fridge out of direct sun, which heats the cabinet and glass and makes it run constantly. Leave the ventilation gaps the maker asks for; outdoor kitchens are often built tight. Stand it on a level, solid base, raised off wet ground.

A glass door in sun also warms drinks quickly when opened. A shaded, covered spot with good airflow is best.

Outdoor-rated fridges

Some makers produce fridges they state are suitable for outdoor use, with weather-resistant cabinets, sealed electrics and a wider operating range. These are a specialist category and usually more expensive. Check the manual or listing for clear wording on outdoor use, not just a photo on a patio.

If your space is indoors-like, such as an insulated garden room, a standard glass-door drinks fridge may be enough. Our beer and drinks fridge guide compares models, and drinks fridge sizes helps you plan the space.

Compare drinks fridges for garden rooms →

Alternatives for occasional use

If you only want cold drinks outside on a few summer days, a cool box or an ice and water tub is simpler, safer and needs no power. See how to keep drinks cold without a fridge for the most effective methods.

Another option is to keep the drinks fridge indoors near the garden door and carry drinks out as needed, which protects the fridge and avoids outdoor wiring entirely.

Frequently asked questions

Can a mini fridge be left outside? Not unless the maker says it is suitable for outdoor use. Indoor fridges should be kept out of rain and sun.

Can I put a wine cooler on a covered patio? Only if it is protected from rain and the temperature stays within its climate class. Most are indoor only.

Will a fridge work in a cold summer house in winter? It may not, if the room falls below its climate class. Check the rating plate.

Do I need a special socket for an outdoor fridge? Use a fixed outdoor socket with RCD protection, installed by a qualified electrician.