Convert Freezer to Fridge

Hi,
A few years ago we converted a manual defrost chest freezer into a refrigerator by plugging it into an external thermostat which we then plugged into the outlet. It works great.
Can the same thing be done with an "frost-free" upright freezer? Would the frost-free function interfere with using the freezer as a fridge? We would rather buy a manual defrost but almost all upright freezers are frost-free.
Thanks

Hi Richard, I would think that since the external thermostat manages power to the freezer, and only gives it power when the temp needs to drop, that the frost free feature just wouldn't work very well. It's either going to heat the coils or circulate out the air on some sort of schedule, but with this adapter it will be off most of the time.

Richard Tosseland wrote:Hi,
I realize this is not about solar as such but I believe it could apply to energy saving.
A few years ago we converted a manual defrost chest freezer into a refrigerator by plugging it into an external thermostat which we then plugged into the outlet. It works great.
Can the same thing be done with an "frost-free" upright freezer? Would the frost-free function interfere with using the freezer as a fridge? We would rather buy a manual defrost but almost all upright freezers are frost-free.
Thanks

Yes you could do it but I would suggest don't. The reason a chest freezer conversion is such a great idea is because cold air cannot escape a chest freezer due to the lid being at the top and cold air sinks. The reason upright freezers need a defroster is hot humid air leaks into them through the front door. Next would be when most defrost fridges first get turned on they go through a few minutes defrost cycle. So Everytime your external thermostat clicks on unlike a chest freezer you would run a short defrost cycle which would burn more power. A energy efficient new fridge will outperform a converted upright freezer...
Cheers, David

What is your situation and what are you trying to achieve?

Thanks David!
John, We need extra refrigeration to house our growing collection of cultured/fermented veggies, kombucha, filmjolk, etc.
If we had the floor space where it needs to go we would just get and convert another chest freezer ...but we don't so we are exploring uprights. We also tend to store things longer term in the freezer and know that food in frost-free freezers doesn't keep as well. We may end up getting a regular energy efficient upright fridge.

Richard they do sell upright fridge only models. You would get a lot less air movement then in the fridge freezer combos. Maybe a good starting point.

You may consider the bottom line on the purpose you want the fridge for, I have taken to using non-functional fridges/freezers as (insulated) storage, originally for resins/paints in the shop then canned and dry goods for the rodent proof, controlled temperature, storage container. The one I put in the basement stays about 53 deg F (rodent proof veggie storage) and the ones in the shop stay in the mid 60s even in the hotter summer months (15 watt light bulb to keep resins from freezing in winter) Don't know that this is applicable or helps, good luck.
Oh and non-working fridges/freezers are cheap to free.