How To Add A Lock To A Mini Fridge? | 6 Ways To Prevent Unauthorized Access

My little son turned 2 years old a few days ago. He loves to walk and run, And I enjoyed it so much. But the problem is he easily opens the door of the mini fridge which is in my bedroom. I tried to keep him away from doing this as I have kept my eye drops, insulin and some antibiotic liquids in this mini fridge. 

So it’s so much needed to keep the fridge out of his reach to protect both my son and medicines. And the best solution will be to add a lock to the mini fridge. 

But how to add a lock to a mini fridge at home? Is it possible? Well, I am going to share DIY ideas to add a lock to the mini fridge with step-by-step guidelines.  

Can You Add A Lock To A Mini Fridge?

Before going to the main section, it must be clear whether you can add a lock to your mini fridge or not. And the answer is definitely Yes, you can add a lock to a mini fridge. For this, you don’t even need any mechanic or technician, with a little effort you can place the lock effortlessly.

However, you can buy mini-fridge locks at most hardware stores as well as online shops. So far, the lock installs so easily and can be used to keep your food, skin care and medicines safe and secure.

Why Should You Add A Lock To A Mini Fridge? 

Well, many of you may wonder what’s the necessity to lock a mini fridge? Some may say, come on, it’s just a mini fridge, nothing much expensive or valuable! But the thing is, it can be valuable if you put medicine or skin care products. Apart from these, the foods and beverages also should be protected if you have kids like me, or have pets. 

Let’s break down the facts: why should you add a lock to a mini fridge? In that case, the lock isn’t provided by the company, you need to secure it by placing a lock. The most common and simple reason is a fridge with a lock offering you that you can rest assured the food and drinks will be safe. 

Again, if you have babies, it’s crucial to have a lock to your mini fridge. Most of the heights of the mini fridge are between 17 inches to 21 inches. So they will be easily accessible for the kids. They may lead to any unwanted accidents if you’re not aware of this. 

Not only toddlers, but young childrens are fond of drinking cold water even though they have cold allergies or coughs. This time, a lock is a life-saving way to prevent them. 

Also, many of us keep our personal favorite beverages as well as some important medicines and injections too. In that case, your children, guests or other people ate them without knowing that could also lead to any harmful disaster. 

Besides, as the height is too low than the full-sized fridges, a lock helps to keep pets from getting into the fridge.

Furthermore, many students use the mini-fridge in their college dorms or hostel room to keep their snacks and drinks. So, if they have naughty roommates, they may want to keep them away from eating the preserved food absent of you. Or, if they just want to keep their food safe from anyone who might try to steal it, a lock can deter thieves.

Additionally, sometimes guests come to our home with kids. Maybe it sounds weird a little bit, but the lock will ensure to keep curious hands from opening the fridge and spoiling the contents.

Last but not least, adding a lock can be a good way to decorate your mini fridge. 

So, How To Add A Lock To A Mini Fridge?

When you have a mini fridge, you want to make sure that your food and drinks stay cold and fresh. At the same time, you may also want to keep other things in the fridge, like medications or cosmetics. Whatever the reason, adding a lock to your mini-fridge can give you peace of mind. 

So, now is the meantime to reveal my recent DIY project ideas to add locks to my mini fridge. It’s not rocket science though. Here I am going to share the step-by-step guide to adding a lock to your mini fridge. 

I have divided this section into 2 parts. In the first part, I will show what tools and preparation you need to do for this DIY project. And the lock-adding process will be discussed in the second part. 

Prerequisites To Put The Lock On The Minifridge

The prerequisite is the selection and arrangement of the right tools. For installing a lock to the mini fridge, the required tools are-

• A lock
• Adhesive 
• Screw
• Chain 
• Scale/measurement tape
• Marker 

Decide On What Lock To Use

Initially, you need to decide which type of lock is suitable for your mini fridge. As they can be 1.5 to 1.8 cubic feet usually and the width is mostly 22 inches. So, purchase a lock that is specifically designed for mini-fridges. 

For instance, you can use the physical lock, padlock, strap lock, keyless or magnetic strip, or even the combination lock according to your safety purpose and criteria. Also, their installation process is far easier than types of other locks. 

Determine The Position Of The Lock

After that, you have to decide where the lock will fit perfectly and can protect the entire thing properly. Also, make sure, it won’t damage your fridge anyhow. Because the mini fridge doest have extra storage to store, the wrong selection may cause damage to your mini fridge.

So, the distance between the two connectors of the lock should be perfect to make sure that the lock will not interfere with the fridge’s door seal when the door is closed. Or the loosely connected lock or more distant lock can make the chance to access the fridge even if you use a lock though. 

For this, you should use the measurement tape or scale and put a mark in the correct place to insert the screw wire or connector in the right place. 

And, finally, you have to follow complete instructions to place the lock properly. For this, we are here to guide you. 

So, How to Keep Your Food Safe with a Mini Fridge Lock? (Step by Step Guide)

I already mentioned you can use several types of locks to keep your mini fridge. So in this section, we are presenting every lock instating system to your mini fridge. As a result, you can add the lock based on your preferences and ease of use. So, without any further due, let’s dive in- 

Add Lock Using Physical Lock

Adding a physical lock to a mini refrigerator is the simplest way. For this, you will need a durable piece of rope. This can ensure that it is not easily accessed by kids and pets. There are a few steps involved in completing this task. Do it by following these instructions –

1. Decide where you want to place the lock on the mini fridge. 

2. Using a measuring tape, measure the circumference of the mini fridge where you’ll be placing the lock. 

3. Cut a piece of rope or string that is slightly longer than the circumference of the mini fridge. 

4. Tie a knot on one end of the rope. 

5. Thread the other end of the rope through the keyhole of the lock. 

6. Pull the rope through the keyhole until the knot is snug against the lock. 

7. After that, tie the rope around the mini-fridge to make sure the knot is secure. 

8. Finally, trim any excess rope.

Using the rope for locking your mini fridge can be a temporary solution to protect the access from toddlers or active pets like cats and dogs. This lock is not a permanent way to lock the mini fridge from adults. 

Lock With A Padlock

Adding a padlock to a mini fridge or compact Refrigerators can be an easy and secure way to keep your food safe. Here is a step-by-step process that will help you add a lock to your mini fridge.

1. Unplug the fridge power supply

2. Find an appropriate padlock that will fit the hasp on the fridge. 

3. After that, insert the shackle of the padlock through the hole on the hasp. 

4. Close the padlock and keep the key in your preferable place. 

5. Finally, plug the fridge back into the power outlet.

Learn more from here – https://youtu.be/WP811KvE3Z8

Add Lock Using A Strap Lock 

Fig 6 – Strap Lock Adding In Mini Fridge

Adding a strap lock to a compact mini fridge can be a great way to keep it secure and keep food fresh. It can be a button strap fridge lock or you can go for the clip strap fridge locks. The process of adding them is quite the same. Here’s how to do it step by step.

1. Start by determining where you want to place the lock on the mini fridge. Most mini fridges have a lip around the door, so you’ll likely want to place the lock towards the top of the fridge.

2. Place the strap of the lock around the mini fridge, and thread the end through the loop to create a secure hold.

3. Next, tighten the strap until it is snug, but not too tight, then close the door of the fridge.

4. Test the lock to make sure it is secure by trying to pull the door open. If it feels secure, then you’re all set!

Add Lock Using A Keyless Lock 

Fig 7 – Keyless Lock For Mini-Fridge

Adding a keyless lock to a mini fridge can be a fun project for those with a bit of DIY experience. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to add one: 

1. First, you need to purchase a keyless lock that is compatible with your mini fridge. 

2. Next, you will need to remove the door of the mini fridge. 

3. Then, you will need to locate the two screws that are holding the door handle in place. 

4. Remove the screws and the door handle. 

5. Next, you will need to insert the keyless lock into the hole where the door handle was. 

6. Then, you will need to use the screws that came with the keyless lock to secure it in place. 

7. Finally, you will need to reattach the door to the mini fridge.

Adding Magnetic Fridge Door Lock 

Fig 8 – Magnetic Lock For Mini Fridge Door

The magnetic door lock is another simple and convenient lock especially for the counter-high mini fridges. There is no chance of forgetting about the key or password. Just pull and have your desired drinks, food, or medicines. This lock also keeps your fridge protected from kids and pets so far. 

The simple steps are as follows- 

1. Open the fridge door and locate the spot on the fridge wall where the lock will be placed. 

2. Clean the surface of the fridge door and make sure it is dry. 

3. Apply the adhesive pad that comes with the fridge lock to the surface of the fridge door. 

4. Place the fridge lock on the adhesive pad. 

5. Press and hold the fridge lock for about 30 seconds to make sure it is firmly attached. 

6. Place the magnet on the fridge door. 

7. Close the fridge door.

Add Lock Using Combination Lock 

Fig 9 – Add Lock Using Combination Lock 

Last but not least adding a combination lock to a mini-fridge can be effective for anyone with a bit of mechanical know-how. Here is a step-by-step working process on how to add one: 

1. Begin by determining where you want to place the lock on the mini fridge. 

2. Once you have decided on the placement, use a tape measure to determine the size of the hole that will need to be drilled. 

3. Then carefully drill a hole in the fridge at the determined location. 

4. Take the combination lock and thread the shackle through the hole you just drilled. 

5. Close the lock by aligning the dials with the correct combination.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why Must Freezers Have Locks?

Freezers need locks to ensure that the food inside remains frozen and that the freezer itself does not become overloaded. Again, some freezers have the capability to store large quantities of food. If these freezers did not have locks, it would be easy for someone to take all of the food without permission. Besides, freezers often contain valuable or dangerous items that need to be protected from theft or tampering. 

How Can I Stop My Child From Opening The Fridge?

One way to stop a child from opening the fridge is to put a lock on the fridge. Another way is to put a child-proof latch on the fridge. Also, you can train your child from a young age not to open the fridge. In addition, you can keep alternative foods out of the fridge for your kids to stop them from opening the fridge. 

How Should You Choose The Best MiniFridge Lock?

You can get the best mini-fridge locks if you are a little bit concerned about some factors. For instance the type of the lock. It can be keyed and electronic. The Keyed locks require a key to be inserted into the lock in order to open it, while electronic locks use a code or fingerprint to unlock the fridge.

If you are looking for a mini fridge lock that is more secure, then you should choose a keyed lock. Keyed locks are more difficult to pick, and they offer a higher level of security than electronic locks. However, they can be more expensive than electronic locks. So you should according to your need and ease of use. 

Next, consider the size of the lock. As mini-fridges are small so make sure you have picked the perfect size lock for your fridge. Otherwise, it won’t be beneficial.

Next, the material of the lock is another important consideration. You need to choose a lock that is made of durable material so that it can last long. 

And finally, the price of the lock is also an important consideration. Before making a purchase decision, make sure the lock is not overpriced based on its quality and longevity. 

Can I Drill A Lock On My Fridge?

Yes, you can drill a lock on my fridge. But It depends on the type of fridge and lock you have. However, some tips on drilling a lock on a fridge include using a power drill with a metal drill bit, starting the hole in the center of the lock, and drilling slowly and carefully.

Can you put a lock on a chest freezer?

Yes, you can put a lock on a chest freezer. To install a padlock, you can follow the following steps – 

1. Find a suitable padlock for the freezer door. There are a variety of padlocks on the market, so find one that best suits your needs in terms of security and price. 

2. Clean the area around the freezer door where the padlock will be placed. This will ensure that the padlock will adhere properly. 

3. Place the padlock on the freezer door and close it. Make sure that the padlock is secure and cannot be easily removed. 

4. Finally, test the padlock by trying to open the freezer door. If it cannot be opened, then the lock is secure.

How Do You Babyproof A Refrigerator?

One way to babyproof a refrigerator is to use a fridge lock. This is a device that you can attach to the fridge door that will prevent it from being opened by a child. 

Besides, there are a few ways to baby proof a refrigerator, depending on the type of refrigerator you have. For a side-by-side refrigerator, you can install a latch on the freezer door to prevent it from being opened. For a bottom-mounted refrigerator, you can install a latch on the fridge door or the drawers.

Also, you can remove any items that are within reach of your child, such as putting them on high adjustable shelves or in the cabinet of the mini fridge.

Learn more here How To Build A Mini Fridge Cabinet Using Basic Tools: A Step By Step Tutorial

However, you can block off access to the refrigerator altogether by placing a gate or other barrier in front of it.

Final Verdict 

Overall, adding locks in such ways is quick, easy, and affordable to improve the security of your mini fridge. So far, I shared 6 effective ways for how to add a lock to a mini fridge. By following the simple steps, you can make sure that your food and drinks are safe from unauthorized access. 

Besides, I have suggested different types of refrigerator locks to choose from where some locks require a key, while others are password protected. You can choose any of them to lock your mini fridge and get started today!