Freezer Question

I have both a freezer and frost free fridge in and unheated, unairconditioned storage building. No problem with either of them. They have been out there about 8 years.

What about turning a freezer kept out in a garage *off* while temps are below freezing outside? Too hard on the motor to start up again?

The freezer naturally does what you describe. If it is cold enough the compressor stays off. When it gets too warm it comes on. This is one way that the outdoor freezer saves $.

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Great, thanks!

We've always kept our freezer outside as is pretty common up here. We just unplug it for six months. I've never had any problems when I plug it back in in spring.

We have had freezers in sub zero temps for years. They simply don't have to run when the temps get really low which saves on electricity. They seem to work fine all year. I think that being out in really hot temps are harder on them.

My in-laws gave us there old upright freezer(must be from the 70's cause it's gold) but it was tooooo heavy for DH & I to move to the basement where our 4 year old smaller freezer is so I called an appliance store & the guy I talked to said that if it's an older model they will work fine in an unheated garage but the newer models with the freon will not work right. We also have a newer fridge out there we use in the Warmer months for extra's(pop, milk, etc.) but when temp.'s start getting too cold then I clean it out & unplug it or everything in the fridge part freezes & everything in the freezer part doesn't.
So far the older freezer is working Great in the garage & thank goodness cause it is now almost full.

I bought a Frigdaire upright frost free model a few months ago, and this is directly from thr owners manual.

"For the most efficient operation, the freezer should be located where surrounding tempatures will not exceed 110*F (43*C). Tempatures of 32*F (0*C) and below will NOT affect freezer operations. Additional compressor heaters are not recommended."

I would trust the owners manual over appliance store salesman.

Wow, I feel almost productive around here. This is the first time I ever asked an important { maybe intelligent would be a better word } enough question to warrant 20+ responses.

Mylala, I don't know why my fridge works the way it does but it's about 10 years old & I have to unplug it every winter but the Freezer my in laws gave us is working GREAT! That's the only reason I called the appliance store because I have had problems with the fridge in our garage.
I have an old fridge in the basement I use when I unplug the one in the garage. Thank goodness my freezer works though out there, we would have never got it to our basement.

Mine that I was referencing is a freezer only, so maybe the refrigerator part makes it different as to where it can be placed.

Yup, I have 3 manual defrost in the polebarn. If buying a new one get with lock and alarm. I know the hard way.