The best pantry refrigerator is usually small, inexpensive, and popular. A pantry refrigerator is a small refrigerator designed to fit into a kitchen cabinet or similar space. As its name suggests, such a device is usually used to store foodstuff and preparation ingredients. A kitchen pantry often has several shelves for storing such ingredients and may also be used for storing canned goods and other foodstuffs.

A pantry refrigerator is an alternative to the more common stand-up consumer or residential refrigerator, lacking a freezer compartment and an ice-making mechanism. A consumer or residential refrigerator may also be considered a “pantry” if used primarily for food storage and preparation. Most home refrigerators have a freezer compartment in addition to the main compartment.

Many stand-up refrigerators have double walls in which the insulation space is occupied by air. These are called “air-cooled” refrigerators. However, some manufacturers offer an actual “pantry” model to get around this limitation on floor space. These single-walled refrigerators may look like stand-up models but lack the double walls. They are commonly called “pantry refrigerators” or wine cellars because they are often used to store wine.

A pantry refrigerator usually is less than two cubic feet (0.051 m3) to fit into the kitchen cabinet or similar space of limited capacity. However, some models can be as large as 4 cubic feet (0.098 m3).

What is the difference between a residential refrigerator and a stand-up refrigerator?

The main difference between a residential refrigerator and a stand-up refrigerator is that the former contains a freezer compartment, while the latter does not. Pantry refrigerators have neither freezer nor ice-making mechanisms; they are designed for food storage and preparation.

Pantry refrigerators are mainly used in a kitchen for storing food, such as mayonnaise, butter, fruits, vegetables, and fish. However, they have a limited task in storing foods with long shelf life, like wine.

Some models of pantry refrigerators have an ice-making system to provide the family with ice cubes. The most common of these systems is the metal coil installed inside the freezer compartment. The freezer compartment is filled with crushed ice and connected to a container of water that provides the supply of cold water needed to operate the machine.

In this case, a pantry refrigerator is better than a stand-up refrigerator because it is cheaper, and also, due to its smaller size, it will fit into places that stand-up models cannot.

Best pantry refrigerator

Here is my best pantry refrigerator; they are compact, can easily fit any space, are affordable, and have the highest customer rating.

1. Midea WHS-87LB1 Refrigerator

This fridge has mechanical temperature adjustments that you can make between 32° and 35° Fahrenheit (-2° to 2° Celsius).

It has a lot of storage space, is suitable for chilling beverages and nutritious snacks, and produces but ineffective for freezing food or creating ice cubes. Includes movable legs and a door that can open in any direction. It has energy saving and comes with a 1-Year Warranty.

2. Midea WHD-113FSS1 Compact Refrigerator

This refrigerator compartment temperature ranges from 32 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and the freezer compartment is from -11 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. The freezer is 0.92 cubic feet, and the fridge is 3.1 cubic feet. It also has a reversible door, adjustable legs, a different fruit and vegetable drawer, recessed interior light, and a partial automatic defrost. 

3. RCA RFR836 2-Door Fridge and Freezer

This is another two-door configuration with a top door for the freezer and a bottom door for the refrigerator. It has a space-saving design with an adjustable thermostat for maximum performance even in hot weather. You can preserve greens best in a crisper drawer. It also comes with door baskets for 2-liter bottles and built-in can dispensers. It is a 3.2 cubic foot refrigerator and freezer.

4. Smad Compact Mini Fridge

An outstanding value that will provide years of quiet, dependable operation is this absorption refrigerator’s “silent and reliable” absorption cooling mechanism. In addition, the refrigerator’s top contains a temperature thermostat that enables simple temperature selection and alternatives. Finally, you can arrange the adjustable shelf to accommodate higher goods and keep things orderly. 

5. Midea WHS-65LB1 Reversible Door Refrigerator

This fridge has mechanical temperature adjustments that you can make between 32° and 35° Fahrenheit (-2° to 2° Celsius). It has a lot of storage space and is excellent for chilling beverages and nutritious snacks and produces, but ineffective for freezing food or making ice cubes. The features include adjustable legs and a door that may open from the left or the right.

6. AstroAI Mini Fridge

The AstroAI micro-fridge is a small refrigerator that you may use to store food, beverages, or beer. It is perfect for usage in the pantry. The removable shelf makes it simple to segregate small items. You can use a 12V automobile power source or a 100-120V home power supply to power this small refrigerator. 

7. SMETA Propane Refrigerator

This refrigerator is powered by propane with electric absorption. The daily gas consumption is approximately 0.6 lb and powered by propane (LPG), AC110v, and DC12v. It has ample storage space, slide-out shelves, and a crisper drawer made of clear plastic. Quiet and simple to use, with no pollutants and little energy use. 

8. Anukis Compact Refrigerator

A low noise, low power consumption, and energy-saving design. You can store both fresh and frozen food in this container.

The temp ranges from 32′ to 50 F fridge and 3′ to -1′ F freezer. It has inside lighting and a double-door design. You can easily fit about fifteen 18-ounce cans of drinking water between the two layers of the glass partition. You can store most fruits and vegetables in the bottom layer.

Can a refrigerator be put in the pantry?

In a perfect world, you wouldn’t intend to install refrigerators and freezers in a pantry area. Always have ventilation in the pantry rooms to promote airflow and lessen heat and humidity. Think about relocating these extra appliances to a hallway or pass-through space with sufficient airflow.

Conclusion

Finally, you may install one of these in your home for any reason, including the desire for their compactness or because you have little space for a larger refrigerator. This would make sense, especially if you need access to electricity or have little floor space at all.