With the winters almost ending, you must be already fantasizing about long, hot summer days with your family and friends. And if you can afford a refrigerator from the best outdoor kitchen refrigerators, your joy and experience can enter a whole new realm.
And that’s what we’re going to do here!
We’ll review the best outdoor refrigerators so that you can pick the best one for your purpose and budget.
But before jumping onto it, we’ll talk about how to choose the right one…
At the core, a refrigerator is not hard to understand at all. It simply uses cold air and an insulated chamber to keep your eatables and drinks cold and fresh. However, when it comes to choosing from the best outdoor kitchen refrigerators there are few important factors to keep in mind.
Configuration choices, material, estimated costs, etc. being some of them. We’ll cover the ins and outs of choosing the perfect outdoor refrigerator.
After all the right appliance selection is extremely critical if you want to upgrade your kitchen.
Comparison
| Image | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | NewAir Portable Ice Maker AI-215R [Style: Ice Maker]
| PriceRead our Review |
 | NewAir NBF046SS00 Beer Refrigerator[23 DEGREES: COLDEST IN MARKET]
| Price |
 | Whynter FM-85G 85 Quart Portable Fridge[Car, RV and home use “Fast Freeze”]
| Price |
 | Midea WHS-87LB1 Refrigerator[Energy Saving]
| Price |
 | GE GDE03GGKBB Freestanding Compact Refrigerator[Interior lighting]
| Price |
 | Danby DBC026A1BSSDB 95 Can Beverage Center[Easy to Operate]
| Price |
- Outdoor vs Indoor Refrigerator
- Extra Insulation
- Enhanced Weather Proofing
- Robust Components
- Built-in or Freestanding
- Size and Capacity
- Outdoor Refrigerator Cost
- Material Selection
- Features
- Outdoor Refrigerator Maintenance
- Built-In Outdoor Refrigerator Reviews
- Top Rated Best Outdoor kitchen Refrigerator Brands
Outdoor vs Indoor Refrigerator
While they might seem pretty much the same, outdoor and indoor refrigerators are two totally different innovations. Inside your house, you typically have a controlled environment which means regulated humidity, stable temperatures, and limited dust, and so on.
While outdoors, the ambient temperature has a wide range, and the changing levels of humidity in combination with harsh weather pose a significant threat.
And for this reason, the outdoor refrigerators have to be built in accordance with these factors so that any adverse condition can be mitigated.
Extra Insulation
Probably the first thing you will notice about an outdoor fridge is just how heavy they are. Because of the varying temperatures outside, it’s necessary for them to have an increased amount of insulation to compensate.
This enhanced protection provides a shield that helps to keep the stuff inside cold no matter what the temperature is.
Read: 5 Best 2 Burner Gas Grills that will give you tasty and fast Barbeque!
Enhanced Weather Proofing
Another complication that outdoor refrigerators face is adverse weather conditions. Be it blowing sand or summer showers, extra protection is needed to ensure proper functioning and reliability.
A decent outdoor kitchen will have a fridge equipped with multiple weatherproofing forms such as elevated construction, door seals, corrosion-resistant materials, etc. When combined, these minimize the risk of hazards associated with debris and water entering your fridge.
Robust Components
A lot of times you must have seen your patio loaded with dust and debris in the corners. And do you know that this can prove to be deadly for a refrigerator motor? If it doesn’t have the essential filters and sealed bearings, it will inevitably clog up and fail.
Even minor parts such as hinges need to be sealed otherwise they will get stuck and shut. Robust components are a bit expensive but absolutely worth it.
Built-in or Freestanding
Outdoor refrigerators come in two varieties – built-in and freestanding. Each type gives the same quality and performance but is set up differently. Keeping all factors in mind, a built-in model will be much better for you.
These are placed comfortably under the counter and don’t need any air gaps thanks to their front venting design.
Size and Capacity
The size and capacity of an outdoor refrigerator are also important factors to consider. The market has both normal and compact sized units. Typically a normal unit has the dimensions of 34*24*24. They have storage capacities of around 5.5 to 6 cu. ft depending on wall thickness and insulation.
While the compact units are on the smaller side of things and provide around 3.3 cu. ft. of space. They have almost similar measurements but are 40% slimmer.
Outdoor Refrigerator Cost
As with other appliances whether outdoors or indoors, the cost varies between models. Most outdoor refrigerators in the 3-6 cu. ft range costs between 500- 2000$ depending on the company and materials. You can find some models that cost around 300$ as well.
We would advise you against going for these as they are not UL rated and are primarily designed for indoor use only.
Material Selection
If you want to buy a good quality outdoor refrigerator, make sure that it is made of 304 stainless steel. It will be labeled as 18/10 or 18/8 stainless steel. It is extremely resistant to rust, thanks to its high chromium content.
This factor is extremely critical for a wet, humid environment outside. Cheap quality materials will rust out and get damaged.
Features
From basic refrigerators to the most high-end ones, you will find a lot of features to pay attention to. Almost every model will come with leveling legs, adjustable shelves, interior light, etc., and the higher models can come packed with the following features.
- Adjustable thermostats
- Automatic defrost functions
- Door locks
- Glass doors
- Beverage shelving
- Interior fans
While all of these are optional, it’s important to know what you are spending money on.
Outdoor Refrigerator Maintenance
As with any outdoor appliance, a bit of additional maintenance as compared to an interior model is a must. One critical thing that you must keep in mind that the outdoor refrigerator is not meant for temperatures below 40 degrees.
Just like you don’t use your car’s AC in the winter, using a fridge in these conditions isn’t appropriate either.
Built-In Outdoor Refrigerator Reviews
As we’ve already mentioned, if you want to buy an outdoor refrigerator, most probably you will be interested in built-in units. These systems are developed to fit perfectly under a countertop and are made to require top ventilation and zero side.
Top Rated Best Outdoor kitchen Refrigerator Brands
#1.NewAir Portable Ice Maker AI-215R
Features:
- Capable of making more than 50 pounds of ice per day
- Automatic shut-off
- Overflow protection
- Empty water reservoir light indicator
- Compact, portable size is perfect for RVs and apartments
If you are serious about buying from the best refrigerators for outdoor kitchens then NewAir Portable Ice Maker AI-215R is a must-have for you. Capable of minting more than 50 pounds of ice per day this great quality ice maker is compact enough to take it anywhere.
Quick freezing time and a side-mounted drain for a mess-free cleanup make it even more desirable. It is also equipped with a see-through window, an LED display and, easy to push-button controls which add great appeal to any party.
Pros
- Great ice producing capacity
- Easy to use self-clean feature
- Can make ice of 3 sizes
Cons
- None
Read: 5 Best 2 Burner Gas Grills that will give you tasty and fast Barbeque!
#2.NewAir NBF046SS00 Beer Refrigerator
Features:
- Coldest in Market (23 Degree Fahrenheit)
- Frost-Free Glass Shelves
- Portable
- Compact and Spacious
- Great design
If you are someone who likes to keep their drinks at just an arm’s length then NewAir NBF046SS00 is the perfect choice for you. What’s unique about this beauty is that it chills beer down to 23 degrees Fahrenheit in absolutely no time.
You don’t have to wait for the beer to get cold and spoil the mood of your party. Frost beer mugs, chill brews or store mini-kegs, the NewAir NBF046SS00 will make sure that you get the best experience out of your bash.
Pros
- Elegant design
- Offers the coldest temperature in the market
- Portable
- Spacious
Cons
- None
#3.Whynter FM-85G 85 Quart Portable Fridge
Features:
- Fast freeze mode
- Operates both as a refrigerator and freezer
- Tough and solid outer casing
Whether you are cherishing a day trip or are on a major expedition, keeping your food and beverages fresh and chilled was never so easy. The Whynter portable freezer fridge is an epic freezer/refrigerator which operates between -6 Degree F to 50 Degree F.
Having a tough and solid outer casing, the Whynter FM-85G 85 is a superb solution for every recreational freezing requirement and is one of the best outdoor kitchen refrigerators.
Pros
- Powerful Compressor Cooling System
- 2-in-1 Appliance
- Dual Voltage
- Fast Freeze Mode
Cons
- None
#4.Danby DBC026A1BSSDB 95 Can Beverage Center
Features:
- Easy to operate
- Superior cooling system
- Bright and Modern
- Versatile Storage
- Huge Capacity
There’s nothing better than hosting a get-together to connect with your relatives and friends. And that get-together reaches a whole new level of fun with this awesome beverage center. The Danby DBC026A1BSSDB keeps your drinks chilled, fresh and, beautifully illuminated through a blue LED light.
This appliance has a generous 2.6 Cubic Feet of cooling and storage space and can hold around 100 (350 ml) cans on three adjustable black-wire shelves.
Pros
- Efficient Cooling
- Removable & Adjustable Shelves
- Interior LED Light
- Huge Capacity
- Sleek & Modern Design
Cons
- None
Read: 5 Best 2 Burner Gas Grills that will give you tasty and fast Barbeque!
#5.Midea WHS-87LB1 Refrigerator
Features:
- Large storage area
- Comes with adjustable legs and a reversible door
- Energy efficient
- High-quality Performance
- Manual Defrost Function
The Midea 2.4 Cubic Feet refrigerator is an innovative and perfect solution for a room, apartment, or a wet-bar. It’s one of the best refrigerators for outdoor kitchens and has a popular size and offers a world-class performance due to its simplified mechanical thermostat and manual defrost functions.
The Midea 2.4 Cubic Feet refrigerator has a large storage area for excellent beverage chilling and healthy storage of snacks.
Pros
- Keeps your food and drinks amazingly chilled
- Huge capacity with adjustable shelves
- Super-fast and consistent cooling
Cons
- Doesn’t have a spacious freezer for stocking supplies
- Gets loud after several months of use
#6.GE GDE03GGKBB Freestanding Compact Refrigerator
Features:
- Tested for extreme conditions
- Recessed handles
- Ideal storage
- Tall bottle storage
- Partial automatic defrost
If you are looking for an elegant and stylish refrigerator and that too with huge space then missing out on GE GDE03GGKBB won’t be a smart move at all. It features a separate freezer compartment and bright interior lighting to make sure that your favorite drinks are in easy reach.
The sturdy glass shelves of GE GDE03GGKBB are easy to clean and is also tested in extreme conditions to deliver a genius performance.
Pros
- Easy to use and clean
- Dedicated compartment for fruits and vegetables
- Double Door
- Partial Automatic Defrost
Cons
- None
Conclusion
An outdoor fridge is one of the best appliances to add to your outdoor kitchen. Apart from a grill and a sink they give more functionality and value than any other equipment. Additionally, a good quality outdoor refrigerator is very versatile depending on your requirements in almost every environment.
They are expensive, agreed but if you make a well-planned investment, they will be worth every penny of yours.
Now that you’ve got a decent idea about the best outdoor kitchen refrigerators, we hope and believe that you will make the best purchase and take your outdoor parties to a whole new level.
All the best and keep partying!
