What does a refrigerator garage heater kit do?

A refrigerator garage heater kit is an accessory that can be installed on refrigerators with freezer drawers located below the main refrigerator compartment. The purpose of a refrigerator garage heater is to gently warm the freezer drawer area to prevent food items from freezing solid.

What is a refrigerator garage?

A refrigerator garage is a specialty freezer drawer that was introduced by manufacturers like KitchenAid, GE, and LG in the early 2000s. It is designed to be flexible storage that can function as either a freezer or refrigerator compartment.

The garage drawer is separated from the main refrigerator compartment and has its own temperature control. When set to freezer mode, it operates like a regular freezer drawer, maintaining temperatures of 0°F or below. However, the drawer can also be switched to refrigerator mode, which holds temperatures between 34-40°F.

The intended purpose of the garage refrigerator is to provide storage flexibility within the appliance. For example, the garage can be used to:

• Store frozen foods like ice cream at freezing temps
• Chill beverages without freezing them solid
• Marinate meats at ideal just-above-freezing temps
• Allow cookies, muffins and other baked goods to stay fresh but not rock hard

The garage drawer is insulated like regular refrigerator compartments but is designed for more temperature variability than standard fridge areas.

What does a refrigerator garage heater kit do?

A refrigerator garage heater kit is an accessory that can be installed to gently warm the garage drawer. Here are the main functions of a refrigerator garage heater:

1. Prevents Foods from Freezing Solid

The main purpose of a garage heater is to maintain the compartment at optimal just-above-freezing temperatures between 34-40°F. This prevents foods stored in refrigerator mode from fully freezing solid. Items like beverages, fresh meats, baked goods, and condiments can be kept chilled but not frozen hard.

2. Provides More Flexible Storage

By warming the garage to refrigerator rather than freezer temperatures, the kit allows the space to be used for items that shouldn’t be frozen. This provides more flexible storage options within the appliance.

3. Regulates Temperature Consistently

Refrigerator garage drawers are prone to temperature fluctuations, especially if opened frequently. The heater helps maintain a consistent chill in the 34-40°F range so items don’t accidentally freeze from an unexpected drop in temperature.

4. Saves Energy

Using the garage heater is more energy efficient than cooling the main refrigerator compartment to just-above freezing temps. It focuses warming power only where it’s needed rather than overcooling a larger area.

5. Extends Compressor Life

The garage heater minimizes how often the refrigerator compressor needs to turn on to regulate temperatures in a small space. This can extend the operating life of the compressor.

How does a refrigerator garage heater work?

Refrigerator garage heater kits consist of two main components:

Thermostat

This device is installed inside the refrigerator and senses internal temperatures. When the garage area drops below the set level, usually around 34°F, the thermostat triggers the heater to turn on. It turns off again once the desired temperature is reached.

Heating Element

This cord-powered heating pad adheres to the inside back wall of the garage drawer. When activated by the thermostat, it generates gentle warmth, typically between 5-10 watts. This raises the compartment temperature a few degrees to maintain an above-freezing chill.

Here is a simple diagram showing how the two components work together:

Fridge Interior	Garage Interior
Thermostat senses temps	Heating element adheres to back wall
Signals heater to turn on when garage drops below set temp (usually 34°F)	Generates gentle warmth (5-10 watts) when activated
Garage area warms up several degrees to maintain above freezing chill between 34-40°F

The thermostat and heating element work together to regulate temperatures and prevent foods in the garage from freezing solid.

What types of refrigerators are compatible with garage heater kits?

Garage heater kits are specifically designed for refrigerator models that have garage-style freezer drawers with adjustable temperature controls. Major brands that currently offer refrigerator garage features include:

• KitchenAid
• Maytag
• Whirlpool
• GE
• LG
• Kenmore
• Frigidaire
• Electrolux
• Amana
• Bosch
• Samsung

The heater kit can only be installed if the appliance has a garage-style compartment that can be switched from freezer to refrigerator mode. Standard bottom-mount freezer or side-by-side models without this feature are not compatible.

What are the key steps to install a refrigerator garage heater?

Installing a refrigerator garage heater kit involves just a few main steps:

1. Unplug the Refrigerator

Before installation, be sure to turn off and unplug the refrigerator. This ensures there is no risk of electric shock while working on the appliance.

2. Adhere the Heating Element

Clean the back wall of the garage drawer compartment. Peel off the adhesive backing on the heating element and firmly press it onto the back wall, making sure it sticks.

3. Mount the Thermostat

Inside the main refrigerator compartment, mount the thermostat component on the interior wall according to the product instructions. This usually involves drilling small guide holes and securing with included screws.

4. Connect Wires

Run the lead wires from the thermostat into the garage drawer area and connect them to the heating element wires according to the wiring diagram.

5. Seal Access Points

Seal any holes or access points with silicone caulk to maintain refrigerator insulation. Don’t block thermostat vents.

6. Plug in and Set Thermostat

Plug the refrigerator back in and set the thermostat to the desired temperature (34-40°F range). The heater will now automatically regulate garage temps.

Where can you buy refrigerator garage heater kits?

There are a few options for purchasing garage heater kits:

Direct from Manufacturer

Many major appliance brands sell official heater kits for their refrigerator models directly through their parts websites or customer support lines. Prices range from $50-$150.

Appliance Parts Stores

Stores like AppliancePartsPros.com, PartSelect.com, and RepairClinic.com stock and sell universal aftermarket heater kits for around $65-$100. Kits include thermostats and heating elements.

Hardware Stores

Some hardware stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot carry universal refrigerator garage heater kits in stock or available by special order for $60-$110.

Online Marketplaces

Sites like Amazon.com or Walmart.com have listings for both official OEM and generic aftermarket garage heater kits priced competitively with other retailers. Carefully check model compatibility.

When purchasing, make sure to choose a kit specifically designed for refrigerator garage installations. Compare product reviews and look for reliable brand names like Whirlpool, GE, or Frigidaire.

What precautions should be taken when installing a refrigerator garage heater?

Proper safety measures should be followed when installing a garage heater kit:

• Unplug refrigerator before installing
• Wear gloves to avoid skin contact with extreme temps
• Follow instructions carefully
• Keep thermostat away from heat sources
• Prevent wires from pinching or kinking
• Double check all connections
• Make sure no wires are exposed
• Seal any holes into refrigerator compartments

Rushing the job or improperly installing the thermostat or heating element can lead to operational issues or present a fire hazard. Taking proper precautions reduces these risks.

How much does a refrigerator garage heater kit cost?

The price for a refrigerator garage heater kit ranges between $50-$150 depending on the source:

Source	Estimated Cost
Direct from manufacturer	$50 – $150
Appliance parts store	$65 – $100
Hardware store	$60 – $110
Online marketplace	$50 – $150

The lower cost aftermarket universal kits offer savings over the higher priced OEM kits sold directly by appliance brands. However, non-OEM kits may not provide an exact fit or integrate seamlessly with the refrigerator’s temperature controls.

Labor charges can add $50-$100 if hiring a technician to handle installation. Overall costs typically range from $100 to $250.

What are some alternatives to installing a garage heater kit?

Instead of adding an aftermarket heater kit, there are a couple alternative options to help regulate refrigerator garage temperatures:

Use Temperature Setting on Fridge

Some models allow adjusting the temperature scale on the freezer drawer itself, like setting it to a -3°F “chill” mode. This can warm it slightly without a heater.

Add Insulation Around Drawer

Applying self-stick foam insulation strips around the garage drawer perimeter can isolate it and improve temperature stability. However, this won’t actively heat the space.

Use Small Portable Heater

A mini ceramic heater placed temporarily inside the garage drawer can provide heat, but this is much less convenient than a dedicated heating system.

Adjust Main Fridge Temperature

Warming the entire refrigerator compartment can take stress off the garage to stay colder. But this wastes energy cooling a large space for a small drawer.

An integrated refrigerator garage heater kit provides the best performance, convenience, and energy efficiency for maintaining optimal above-freezing temperatures in the drawer.

Conclusion

Installing a refrigerator garage heater kit is an easy way to modify refrigerator freezers with adjustable temperature garage drawers. It allows better control over the compartment, gently warming it to keep foods chilled above freezing without hard freezing them solid. For refrigerator owners who want to take full advantage of the unique garage drawer feature, a heating kit maximizes its use and storage flexibility. With proper installation and safety precautions, the heater can provide many years of reliable service regulating garage temperatures.