There are many factors you need to consider before you buy a mini-fridge. We’d say fridges are pretty picky, and rightly so. Because of how they function, they need certain conditions to prolong their lifespan and keep from imploding.
Like having a baby – you have to put some things in place before bringing the baby home. Before you make that purchase, is your home suitable for a mini-fridge?
This article will talk about putting a mini-fridge in a cabinet or closet. We will explore all the places you should and shouldn’t put a mini-fridge. We’ll also see how to fit a mini fridge into your home. So, please, read on to tap into all this information. Let’s get started!
Is it Safe to Put a Mini Fridge in a Cabinet or Closet?
In the process of keeping its insides cool, a fridge emits considerable heat. As such, you have to be extra mindful of where you place it in your home.
Well, depending on the type of fridge you buy, you may also need to put some space between it and the ground. Of course, we’ll delve into all these reasons in subsequent sections.
But for now, let’s talk about putting a mini-fridge in a cabinet or closet.
Yes. You can put your mini-fridge in there, but you have to set up the place first. In fact, that’s probably the most suitable place that accommodates a mini-fridge in your home.
It’s made of wood, and that’s relatively permeable when it comes to heat. You don’t want a place that traps the heat your fridge exudes. That’s a recipe for a short lifespan.
How to Put a Mini Fridge in a Cabinet or Closet?
Now, if you want to place a mini-fridge in a cabinet or closet, you’ll have to carve a hole in the back of the storage space. It’s like a wall-mounted air conditioning unit – you need to create an opening in the wall for adequate ventilation.
Well, in this case, you don’t need to go that far. A cabinet or closet is enough. But how do you prepare that storage space for your new mini-fridge? Well, here goes!
1. Measure the Cabinet and the Fridge
It’s best to measure your cabinet before buying the fridge. You don’t want to buy a fridge that won’t fit it, and there are serval factors you have to consider when doing this.
For one, the mini-fridge can’t be a perfect fit for the cabinet or closet; you have to leave extra space for the wiring. There also needs to be extra space for enough ventilation on the sides of the fridge – this gives it breathing room.
On the other hand, you also need to give it enough space for the fridge door to open and close conveniently. It’s also best to avoid placing the fridge directly on the cabinet.
Instead, you can suspend it at least two to three inches off the cabinet by creating a crate or small rails that can conveniently hold the weight of the mini-fridge.
Well, when you consider all these factors, we’re certain you now see that your cabinet and fridge shouldn’t be a perfect fit. As such, it’ll be in your best interest to measure both the fridge and cabinet and allocate the required spaces before making your purchase.
2. Prepare the Cabinet or Closet
Next, you need to prepare the storage space. Since most cabinets come with shelves or compartments, you’ll have to remove them to make room for the fridge. The shelves should be pretty easy to take apart, but you may also have to resolve to use a screwdriver or drill if the compartments are not easily detachable.
However, if you’re custom-making the shelf, especially for the fridge, then you can give your handyman instructions after determining the size of the fridge you want to get.
3. Leave Spaces for Wiring and Ventilation
Placing your fridge in a well-ventilated area prolongs its lifespan. As such, when you measure the storage space, leave enough space for ventilation. Depending on the type of mini fridge you get, the area you need to leave could be at the bottom or the side.
Some mini fridges have their coil on the side, so you’ll have to leave the space there. The coil is the part that’s responsible for exuding all that heat, and it needs to be adequately ventilated.
You’ll also need to create holes for the wiring. Remember, the wires are beyond slim, long, and round objects; they also have sizeable parts that you plug into a socket.
4. Leave Enough Space Between the Wall and the Cabinet
You must leave enough space between the wall and the cabinet. That way, you can plug the cable comfortably without pulling on it or straining it. Aside from the possibility of the power cord falling out occasionally, a too-tight fit can damage the wiring.
Enough space between the wall and the cabinet also facilitates enough ventilation. As a result, the heat the fridge releases can escape properly.
5. Avoiding Unplugging It
Once you have dedicated a socket to your mini-fridge, it’s best to avoid unplugging it. If you unplug your fridge occasionally, turning it back on will consume a lot of energy because it’ll first need to regulate its temperature before it can begin to function normally again.
Where Should You Not Put a Mini Fridge?
Fridges are incredibly picky, and that’s because of how they function. It would be best if you didn’t put a mini-fridge in specific places, and one of the most important ones is on a carpet.
Putting a fridge on a carpet hampers the required ventilation. If you’ve placed your hand on the sides of your fridge before, you’ll have noticed that it was pretty hot or warm at the very least. That’s because it exudes heat when trying to keep its insides cool.
If the brand of your fridge has its coil at the bottom, then it’s a terrible idea to place it on your carpet. Not only can it burn through the carpet because of its high temperature, but it’ll also eventually stop working became it’s not well ventilated.
Carpets aren’t permeable; they trap heat. So, even if you intend to place the fridge on a two or three-inch stand, it’s still a bad idea. Instead, you can simply find an alternative by placing it in a cabinet or closet.
Now, another place you should never put a mini-fridge is near a heat source. Like we mentioned earlier, fridges release heat. As such, when you put yours near another heat source, that could be a recipe for disaster.
Your fridge will work overtime to maintain its temperature while also combatting the temperature from the other heat source. Overworking your fridge, of course, will cut its lifespan in half or even less.
Never place your fridge on its side. You see, a fridge maintains its coolness by passing compressor oil in the form of liquid coolants through its pipes, and these coolants should never flow into your fridge’s cooling pipes.
Finally, it’s best to avoid placing it near a wall. Instead, ensure there’s enough space between the fridge and the wall for proper ventilation.
Does a Mini Fridge Need Ventilation?
Absolutely! A mini-fridge is just like every other fridge. It also needs to be well ventilated to function properly. The insides need to stay cold, and the outsides need to remain cool.
As such, it’s best to place the fridge in an area where there’s enough ventilation. But, of course, this excludes the middle of two large kitchen appliances or a tight space.
Some fridges have their coil on the side, and to ensure they have access to adequate ventilation, you’ll have to create a breathing space for them. That means you’ll have to avoid pushing them close to the wall. Instead, leave at least 3 inches of space between your wall and your fridge.
On the other hand, if the coil is underneath the body of the fridge, you can place it on a crate that’s at least three inches above the floor.
Even aside from the coil, you should also leave enough space for the heat from your fridge to escape properly. If there’s no space for that, the heat can keep bouncing back on the fridge and may cause it to overheat.
3 Best Places to Place a Mini Fridge in Your House
If you’re buying a mini-fridge, it could be because you don’t have enough space in your home or need a portable and easily accessible fridge.
Whatever your reason, we’ll subsequently explore the parts of your home where you can place your mini-fridge.
1. Your Bedroom
We all love the occasional night snack or drink. For easy access, you may decide to get a mini-fridge. You can place it in your bedroom. That way, if you wake up craving a midnight snack, you don’t need to take too many steps before reaching your target.
Suitable spaces for a mini-fridge in your room include a custom-made shelf for it, or a nightstand near a socket. In addition, the shelf can accommodate other compartments to place books, CDs, a TV, or even some potted plants.
But of course, you’ll have to leave enough space between the sides of the fridge for sufficient ventilation. You’ll also have to dedicate the socket for the fridge entirely to that; plugging and unplugging your fridge can mess with its already regulated temperature.
2. The Kitchen
Of course, this may be the most suitable place for a fridge. However, more often than not, we keep sizable fridges in the kitchen and the mini ones in the other part of the home.
So, if you’re purchasing a mini fridge because you have limited space, then you can fit yours into your kitchen.
You can place it on a 3-inch stand and place that stand on your countertop. Alternatively, you can have a shelf custom-made to house the fridge. But of course, you’ll have to ensure that it’s well ventilated by leaving enough space on all the sides.
It would be best to place it near a socket that you can dedicate permanently to your fridge.
3. The Living Room
For ease of access and comfort, you can put your mini-fridge in your living room. However, it’ll have to be in the corner of the room. As always, you’ll have to suspend it at least two inches off the ground to ensure adequate ventilation.
Conclusion
Due to storage space issues or decorative preferences, you may be conflicted about how and where to place your mini-fridge. With a closet or cabinet, you automatically broaden your options. You can set up your custom-made closet or cabinet in any part of your home, as long as there’s a socket nearby.
This article has also highlighted the requirements for choosing a suitable closet or cabinet for your mini-fridge, among other information that makes the process easier. So, please read up and make informed choices.
