Can You Put A Mini Fridge In A Closet? (Find Out Now!)

Matthew Mountain
by Matthew Mountain

The refrigerator is one of the most important appliances in a home. With this appliance, a homeowner is able to preserve a lot of food, and they can also take advantage of a lot of other features that modern refrigerators boast.

But the refrigerators I’m referring to here are, of course, those which are meant for a kitchen. So what does one do when they want more refrigerator space and they already have a refrigerator in the kitchen? Get a mini fridge, of course!

Mini fridges have been popular for decades, and these days they’re just as convenient and efficient as ever. But can a mini fridge go in a closet? Such is the question this article answers.

As long as it fits comfortably, a mini fridge can go in a closet. Just make sure that the closet is made out of a material which won’t trap the heat that’s generated by the mini fridge. Wood is probably the best material for this. If the mini fridge can’t release heat properly, it’ll overload and possibly be rendered inoperable.

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What Kind of Mini Fridges Are Out There?

Before we get into where mini fridges should be placed, we need to briefly cover which mini fridges are out there. Keep in mind that some mini fridges are better for closets and cabinets than others.

Thermoelectric Mini Fridges

If you’re only going to be using the mini fridge here and there, getting a thermoelectric mini fridge is a good move. This mini fridge utilizes a pump, and the pump transfers heat from one side of the fridge to the other. Thermoelectric mini fridges also have a heating function.

These fridges don’t rely on liquid to stay cool. Moreover, they don’t make a lot of noise, which means they’re ideal for locations where keeping things quiet is a high priority.

Compressor Mini Fridges

As their name implies, these refrigerators utilize a compressor. This component vaporizes cool liquid as it moves through the coils and tubes, and then a fan blows this vaporized cool air throughout the fridge’s interior.

This kind of mini fridge makes a faint humming sound, and that’s because the compressor utilizes a motor. The motor helps pump the vaporized liquid through the coils. While a compressor mini fridge can be placed in numerous locations, it’s wise to keep this away from beds and similar furniture, as these large fixtures may prevent the fridge from working properly.

Cube Mini Fridges

Cube mini fridges are the most common type of mini fridge. You can fit a lot of food products in these fridges, even though they look quite small on the outside. That’s because interior space isn’t taken up by racks and other auxiliary components.

With a cube mini fridge, you can have anywhere from 28 to 59 L of interior storage base. And these systems usually weigh less than 30 pounds, though some can be heavier. These are usually placed on countertops, as their design makes them best for this location.

One drawback that can’t be overlooked is that these fridges aren’t insulated all that well, mainly because they’re so light. Therefore, these aren’t the most cost-effective systems, as it takes a lot of energy to keep one of these going.

Midsize Refrigerators

Midsize refrigerators are also common. While the term “midsize” often leads individuals to think these fridges are larger than mini fridges, such is not the case. These fridges are compact like their cube counterparts, so they can still fit comfortably in closets and cabinets.

Some midsize fridges have 80 L of interior space while others have 96 L. These fridges are usually 66 cm tall, so they’re perfect for a hotel cabinet.

The main difference between a cube and a midsize fridge is that the midsize fridge is more economical when compared to the cube. Despite what many assume at first, the larger system actually utilizes less energy, making it an ideal product for both commercial and residential applications. A midsize fridge uses less energy because it’s more insulated than the cube mini fridge.

Can You Put a Mini Fridge in a Closet?

Since mini fridges aren’t the most visually attractive appliances on the planet, individuals who own these systems often do whatever they can to tuck their mini fridges away. When they’re out of the way, you can still use them, and really that’s all that matters.

It’s this need to hide a mini fridge that often prompts individuals to ask: Can a mini fridge be put in a closet? The short answer is yes, but there are some things to keep in mind before you put a mini fridge in the closet.

For example, you need to make sure that the closet is made of a material that doesn’t trap heat. Mini fridges produce a lot of heat, which some find odd considering these appliances keep things cold.

Wood is a good material for holding a mini fridge, and that’s because it’s pretty permeable. In other words, heat passes through it well. If the mini fridge is in a location where heat can’t escape, it’ll overheat, and constant overheating will shorten the mini fridge’s lifespan quite significantly.

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Can You Put a Mini Fridge in a Cabinet?

When it comes to cabinets, the same points addressed above apply. But with cabinets, there’s something else you should keep in mind.

You should only store a mini fridge in a lower cabinet. These devices are usually quite heavy, and sometimes even the small cube device is too heavy for an upper cabinet to hold.

Also, it’s difficult to hide the cables that the mini fridge utilizes when the fridge is in an upper-level cabinet. Hiding these cables is a lot easier when a lower cabinet is utilized.

Cabinets are also mainly found in kitchens and bathrooms, so one might ask quite reasonably why a mini fridge would be needed in either location. In a kitchen, there’s really no need to have a mini fridge, as there’s a larger refrigerator close by. You could, however, keep a wine cooler in a kitchen cabinet, but most wine coolers are too big for such a configuration.

Matthew Mountain
Matthew Mountain

Matt loves everything DIY. He has been learning and practicing different trades since he was a kid, and he's often the first one called when a friend or family member needs a helping hand at home. Matt loves to work with wood and stone, and landscaping is by far his most favorite pastime.

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