How to create a “refrigerator” on a balcony: a simple life hack from experts

A power outage in your home can significantly damage the food in your refrigerator. This situation is challenging to survive in winter, when the outside temperature may be lower than the fridge’s. To preserve the freshness of your food, you can use a “home refrigerator” on your balcony.

A plastic or foam container with a tight-fitting lid is suitable for creating such a “refrigerator”. Foam retains coolness perfectly, so even with a slight warming, the temperature inside will remain low. Consider using a thermobox or a plastic box lined with insulating materials, such as foil insulation.

To maintain a low temperature, place frozen water bottles or special cooling elements at the bottom of the container. If they are not available, an ordinary plastic bottle filled with frozen water will do, and it is replaced with others while the first ones are in the freezer.

If the balcony is open, it is recommended to cover the container with a lid or an old blanket to prevent the food from freezing. You can install a thermometer inside; the optimal temperature for storing food is between +2 and +6 °C. If the temperature on the balcony drops below -5 °C, the container should be additionally insulated.

At temperatures below zero, plastic bottles of water or milk can crack, so it is recommended to wrap them in a cloth or store them in a thermal bag. To protect the food from rodents and birds, the container must be tightly closed or placed in a metal box. If you want to create a durable structure, you can assemble a mini-fridge from a wooden or metal box insulated with foam plastic and foil material. Such a structure can work without electricity throughout the winter.