If you know you’re getting an outdoor fridge in your outdoor kitchen… next, the decision is what kind of outdoor refrigerator you want. Do you want a stainless steel door or a glass one?
If you find yourself leaning towards a glass outdoor refrigerator… it’s a good idea to inspect the pros and cons before making your purchase.
When browsing online, you’ll see plenty of opportunities to purchase a glass refrigerator, but there’s not much discussion about them. As an outdoor kitchen manufacturer that has helped hundreds of customers decide on outdoor appliances (including glass outdoor refrigerators), we have some experience on the topic to bring to the table. While we do not sell glass outdoor refrigerators, we have included them in our outdoor kitchen designs if that’s what the customer desires.
In this article, you will learn about the advantages and disadvantages of putting a glass outdoor refrigerator in your outdoor kitchen. By the end, you should have a strong idea of whether or not this refrigerator type is the right choice for your needs.
What are the Advantages of a Glass Outdoor Refrigerator?
The advantages of a glass outdoor refrigerator include being able to easily see the contents of your fridge, its elegant look, and the inclusion of accent lighting for visual appeal.
You Can Easily See the Contents
The benefits of a glass outdoor refrigerator are easy to see, indeed. The biggest draw of this refrigerator type is that you can see the contents without ever having to open the door. While not much, this feature can help you save some energy and keep the contents of your refrigerator frosty, even on a hot day… because you won’t be constantly opening and shutting the door trying to remember what’s in there.
What Else Should You Consider Before Buying an Outdoor Refrigerator?
They Have an Attractive, High-Class Look
There’s no denying that under-counter glass refrigerators possess an elegant, high-class look. A well-stocked fridge is beautiful and satisfying to look at… and it’s an opportunity to display with pride the beverages you choose to store inside. When you choose a glass door fridge for your outdoor kitchen, your eyes can’t help but be drawn to it.
Accent Lighting Adds Visual Appeal
Most, if not all, glass outdoor refrigerators also include interior lighting to make the contents more visible. Especially in the evening, this is a striking feature that invites more interest in your outdoor kitchen space.
What are the Disadvantages of a Glass Outdoor Refrigerator?
While glass outdoor refrigerators have plenty of advantages from a visual perspective, in practice, there are some disadvantages to the product. Glass outdoor refrigerators may struggle with temperature regulation, can be prone to mold and mildew, and are often more expensive than their stainless steel counterparts.
Sunlight Counteracts Cooling Potential
Glass outdoor refrigerators tend to struggle more with temperature regulation than stainless steel fridges. This is because, unlike stainless steel, glass fridges openly allow sunlight to flood into the refrigerator. The glass acts similarly to a magnifying glass under sunlight, allowing heat to pass through it to the contents of your fridge. To counteract this heat exposure, your fridge compressor has to work harder to maintain a cold temperature inside… therefore, you may experience uneven temperature regulation in your fridge. Placing your glass outdoor refrigerator in a shaded location will help reduce the negative impact of sunlight.
Can be Prone to Mold or Mildew in Certain Climates
In humid climates, glass outdoor refrigerators tend to be prone to mold or mildew along the seal… leading to a need for frequent seal replacement and vigilant cleaning. This is because the hot, humid outside air contrasted with the cooler, dry air of the refrigerator readily causes condensation to form on the glass. It’s the same reason why on a hot and humid summer day, you may get condensation on your car windshield with the AC blasting. The interior of your car is much cooler and drier compared to the sticky humidity outdoors, leading to condensation. If you live in a humid climate, you may be better off going with a stainless steel outdoor refrigerator to avoid the constant battle with condensation.
Glass Door Refrigerators are Oftentimes More Expensive
Generally speaking, glass outdoor refrigerators will be more costly than their stainless steel counterparts. This isn’t because they are more expensive to produce, but rather, because only luxury appliance brands tend to offer them. So if you want a glass outdoor refrigerator, you’re going to have to spring for the luxury offering. A high quality stainless steel outdoor fridge can be purchased at around $1,800… while glass outdoor refrigerators will start in the neighborhood of $4,000. If you’re working with a tight budget, stainless steel outdoor fridges may be more palatable in terms of pricing.
What Else Should I Know about Outdoor Refrigerators?
At this stage, you should have a good understanding of the primary advantages and disadvantages of glass outdoor refrigerators. With this information in mind, you should be getting a strong idea of whether or not a glass outdoor refrigerator is the right fit for your outdoor kitchen.
But of course, there’s more to an outdoor rated refrigerator than just what the door is made of. There are several other considerations to keep in mind before making a final decision on what outdoor refrigerator you’d like. This in-depth article about outdoor refrigerators will act as a buyer’s guide to help you decide on what outdoor refrigerator you want.
