We have had refrigerator/freezers in our garage for over 30 years in Florida. We have always purchased cheapest, simplest (no smart or Bluetooth), just basic unit. They last for years. We install water line for icemaker, so we have extra ice for coolers. We have had our current cheap refrigerator/freezer for probably 8 years (in 2 different houses). Works great. Plugged into FGCI outlet, but that has never been a problem.

thoughtful suggestion
 

Thoughtful suggestion...I will do that as well.
john

I love when old people purchase bulk food, Solar Panel systems, new roofs with 30 year warranties…instead take a cruise, buy a new tv, plan your “Today”, give your Kids a monetary gift today when it really means something! Jump in the pool while you can… rather than stress about a freezer full of bulk food….

GFCI protection is required in a garage receptacle/circuit

We’ve had an old upright freezer in our garage for 8 years with no problem. Just a basic freezer, nothing fancy. I’m a Costco shopper too and buy all my meat there. I also keep a cup of frozen water with a coin on the top. If the coin goes to the bottom then I’ll know the freezer went out and the food thawed. Hasn’t happened but don’t want any surprises when we are out of town.

Every outlet in the garage is GFI.

I have a like new freezer for sale and can deliver it to you. See my classified ad in Talk of The Villages. Ron Wilharm. 251-979-3680

Just wondering out loud. Have you really calculated your “savings” for buying huge bulk amounts? My husband and I took the cost difference from the price paid at Costco and our regular store and realized that it would take YEARS to pay for the freezer and added cost of running it not to mention losing space in smaller garages here. Also, consider the freshness of the meat or frozen foods. Do you end up throwing out because it becomes frost bit or doesn’t taste quite as good because it has been frozen for long time. Then if there is power outage all has to be thrown out. For us after doing the true calculations we weren’t saving anything. It was just a habit we were used to from when we had larger family to feed. Just a thought.

Consider a separate circuit (gfi protected in the garage) for your refrigerator so you have less to worry about. We have a small Frigidaire that we use for beer and steaks. We use it a lot. Will get a larger one when this one retires.

You need a NON GFI circuit

Not necessarily. You just want an outlet that is not daisy-chained to other GFI outlets. That way, the only thing that will trip the breaker is the appliance itself. Plus, installing a non-GFI breaker in a garage would be a code violation. No licensed & insured electrician will do that.

Code violation!

We bought a Whirlpool refrigerator/freezer here around the time they started making them with square corners. Maybe 15 years ago. Anyway, it sits against the north wall and I don't know if that makes a difference. However, it has been a gem! Never had a problem. And if we have a problem now, since I've bragged on it, I'm gonna really be ****ed.

Exactly! I dont understand the need to hoard food at this stage of life.

Note that you can also buy a GFCI duplex outlet that has a built-in trip alarm that will sound an alarm if the GFCI outlet trips. They are about $30 on Amazon.