8 Ways a Boat Freezer Can Be Customized: Yacht Marine Refrigeration Customization

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We all take pride in our tools and toys. Our vessels can be both.

Making them uniquely our own is part of the joy of owning them. Just as your boat is unique and customized to your liking and style, your appliances can also be tailored to your wants and needs. Your vessel’s refrigeration is not likely to be your first thought when it comes to parts of your boat that can be customized, but there are many available options and reasons to have your refrigerator or freezer customized.

At Frigibar, our marine refrigeration options are designed to be as versatile as they are dependable and stylish. Regardless of the manufacturer you decide to work with when purchasing a freezer or refrigerator for your vessel, here are eight ways you may be able to customize your unit.

1.  Sizing

Space on your boat is limited. To fit in confined spaces, marine refrigerators and freezers can be crafted to fit in nearly any space you have available, whether on the deck, in the cockpit, or underneath a cabinet.

If you need help determining the size of the unit you can fit on your boat, read “Marine Refrigeration Fit: How to Determine What Size Freezer or Refrigerator is Right for Your Boat or Yacht.” Contact Frigibar and we can help you determine what’s the best fit for your boat and what customization options you should consider.

2.  Dual Control

Dual control is one of the most valuable customization options available. With dual control, you can utilize your unit as either a refrigerator or freezer, allowing you to keep your bait cold for a day-long fishing trip or your food safely frozen for a week long adventure.

Learn About Dual Control: How Dual Control for Refrigerators and Freezers Works

3.  Seating

Bench-style freezers make great seating options and are easily fitted with a cushion. Frigibar uses mildew-resistant 3-inch thick Snap-On marine cushions. They can be custom-designed and come in many different colors. They not only help you have additional seating, seat cushions can add to the look and feel of your boat.

4.  Colors and Finishes

No freezer or refrigerator should stick out like a sore thumb. Depending on the manufacturer and what you’re looking for, you can have a unit customized with a color that compliments your style and current design. At Frigibar, we offer custom gel coat colors and faux wood as customization options.

5. Alarms

Freezer alarms aren’t meant to tell you when someone is stealing your pint of ice cream, but to protect your entire freezer of food from spoiling. Defrost warning alarms work to give an audible indication when the freezer is failing, giving you the opportunity to save the contents. This is particularly helpful in marinas when no one may be on the boat.

6.  Mounting

Mounting options can set the look of your freezer or refrigerator apart from anyone else’s, and will make your unit easier to move. There are multiple options available in many different styles, materials and finishes. These mounting systems can help fasten a freezer to a boat’s deck and allow for quick release when needed to be moved. Custom mounts can also be fabricated to match the deck of a vessel.

7.  Motor Orientation

Some manufacturers give you the option for the orientation of the motor on the freezer/refrigerator unit. Say you want to have one unit on the starboard bow and the other on the port bow. Flipping the orientation of the motor on one of the units will ensure that the motor is not facing oncoming sea spray, and also make the units look uniform on the deck.

8.  Manufacturer-Specific Customizations

Each manufacturer offers something different. Even if a manufacturer doesn’t list the options you want, contact them to discuss. If wanting to explore Frigibar’s customization options, please call us at 305-757-7697 or email us at info@Frigibar.com.

 

 

7 Signs Your Boat Needs a New Freezer

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Imagine complete peace as you’re out in the middle of nowhere coasting along in your boat. It’s day three of a week-long trip, and you don’t plan on seeing land for another couple of days. You’re feeling a little hungry and head over to your freezer. You open the lid, and the usual feeling of cool air hitting your face is replaced by a surprising smell and a sinking feeling in your gut. You quickly realize that all of your food has defrosted, and you now have to decide if your food is still safe to eat, or if you need to throw out everything in your freezer.

Freezers play an important role in our water-based adventures. For the most part, they’re considered to be simple “plug and play” appliances that we can rest assured that they’ll be working tomorrow as well as they’re working today. But, as with any appliance — freezers need maintenance and sometimes need to be replaced.

Not every scenario like the one above comes without warning. By knowing what warning signs to look for, you can prevent having to cut a trip short or throwing away hundreds of dollars’ worth of food because your freezer needed to be replaced years ago.

Here are seven signs your boat needs a new freezer.

  • Items aren’t freezing quickly or staying frozen

Are those ice cubes taking a little bit longer to freeze than they should?

If things just aren’t freezing as quickly as they have in the past, this could be the beginning of the end for your freezer. After all, freezing things is kind of the point of a freezer, and if yours isn’t getting the job done, it’s time to have it repaired or look for a new one.

If items aren’t freezing quickly, you may also have items that are defrosting — making them unsafe to consume. If your food is not staying frozen, throw it out unless you know how long it has been unfrozen for.

Tip: Check your unit’s thermostat by using a thermometer to gauge if the actual temperature matches what your thermostat reads.

If you don’t have a thermostat for your freezer, checking the temperature inside your unit will help you to immediately know if the temperature is higher than it should be. An ideal temperature for your freezer is 0 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent bacteria growth and ensure your food is fully frozen, but anything below 32 degrees Fahrenheit should keep the items in your freezer frozen.

  • Ice buildup

A buildup of ice inside your freezer is a clear sign that air is getting into your unit. As warm air is coming in, your freezer has to work harder to remove the warm air. This causes a buildup of ice, which is usually near the opening or top of the freezer.

Tip: While your freezer is currently being overworked and can’t stay at this level of output forever, you may not need a brand new freezer. Air getting into your unit could stem from an old or broken seal, an improperly closing door or lid, or crack or hole in your unit.

  • It’s constantly overcrowded

Your freezer should accommodate your freezing needs. If your boat’s freezer is constantly overcrowded, you either need to clean out your old or unwanted food, or replace or add another freezer to your boat.

Tip: The Best Way to Organize Your Freezer

  • What’s that awful noise?

The noise from your freezer should not be keeping you up at night. If your unit is starting to sound more like your boat motor than a freezer, have it inspected or replace it. The problem could be something simple, but an uncharacteristic noise coming from any appliance should be addressed immediately.

  • Age

Age alone isn’t a good reason to replace your freezer, but older appliances are more likely to need repairs and to be replaced. Older units should be closely monitored and as warning signs appear (overheating, broken seals, defrosting unexpectedly), be repaired or replaced.

  • It’s poorly insulated

As your unit ages, the insulation that helps keep hot air out and cold air in can wear out or become wet. If your unit is poorly insulated, it will have to work harder to remove heat, and will break down and stop working sooner than expected.

  • It’s rusting

Rust is a very bad sign for a marine refrigeration system. Due to the conditions experienced out on the water, if already rusting, damage to your freezer and your boat can escalate quickly.

Tip: Rusting can cause stains on the deck of your boat. If you notice light brown stains on your deck or rust-colored water, you will want to replace your freezer before further damage is caused. Make sure you have a freezer that is made for the elements. If placing a unit on your deck, it should be rust-proof and made for outdoor use.

Have a question or looking for a new freezer for your boat? We’re here to answer your questions and help you navigate the buying process. Contact Frigibar at 305-757-7697 or info@frigibar.com. View our product catalog on Frigibar.com.

Why Bench-Style Freezers are the Best Marine Refrigeration Systems for Your Boat or Yacht

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When seeking a refrigerator or freezer for your boat or yacht, there is no shortage of types of refrigeration systems. From a portable plug-in to a custom-built walk-in freezer, depending on the size of your boat, there are dozens of varieties of refrigeration systems to choose from. But not all freezers are made the same, and not all types of freezers are best suited for your boat.

The bench-style freezer is a favorite among boaters, captains, and crews for many reasons, but when it comes down to it — they’re simply the best choice for your boat for several reasons.

Superior Design for Keeping Items Cold

Ever wonder why your attic is much hotter than your basement even if your HVAC system is working properly? It’s because hot air rises and cold air drops. When you open a bench-style freezer, the cold air will take longer to escape since there is no large opening for the cold air to “fall out” of the unit. This means your unit will not have to work as hard to remove additional hot air when the box is opened for you to take something out and your freezer will function more efficiently overall because of this design.

Seating Option

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Since you’re dealing with a limited amount of space on your boat or yacht, maximizing every inch of it is important. Standing a couple of feet high, bench-style freezers are of similar height to the average seating on a boat and are long enough to fit several people. They can also be fitted with custom, removable cushions, making them a comfortable and stylish seating option as well.

Ease of Use

Bench-style freezers are easier to pack a large amount of food or other items into due to the top-opening construction. Stacking things vertically can be a challenge. You may also worry if your items will topple over and out of your freezer the minute you open it, as things tend to shift while underway. It’s easier to stack and pack from an aerial position from the bottom up through the top opening of your freezer. And rest assured, when you open the unit to take something out, it will be right where you left it.

More Storage for the Space

With these short and convenient units, you’re only limited on the amount of available freezer space based on the size of your deck. Many boat owners use multiple bench-style freezers, and due to their size, they don’t obstruct views or prevent you from achieving the look and feel you want on your boat.

Versatility

Bench-style units, if created with Dual Control, can be used as a refrigerator, freezer or cooler in an emergency situation where power is not available. Being able to utilize the unit as a refrigerator or freezer with Dual Control gives you additional flexibility when hosting guests or to make the most out of the type of trip you’re taking. For example, if you’re going on a several hour fishing trip, you may want to keep bait refrigerated and not frozen, but on a several day excursion, you may need to keep food frozen to use in the late stages of your voyage.

Frigibar specializes in manufacturing the best American-made, luxury handcrafted fiberglass freezers available on the market, including bench-style freezers. View the Frigibar product catalog to learn more about how our freezers can improve the quality of your boating adventures.