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

Who doesn’t like a mini fridge in their home? Mini – Fridges are great for keeping soda cans and bottles cool and storing them.

I like to keep my mini fridge in a cabinet. That keeps the fridge safe. Besides, it helps you to save your favorite sandwich or drinks from ‘food intruders.’ We all have those friends or colleagues who come to your home or office and grab stuff from your fridge without asking. But how to build a mini fridge cabinet?

Building a mini fridge cabinet is not as hard as you think it would be. In contrast, you can build your own mini fridge cabinet at your home with regular tools. I will guide you step by step to build a mini fridge cabinet that you can use in your home, office, or dorm. 

Is It Safe To Build A Mini Fridge Cabinet? 

Of course, it is safe but you have to follow some basic rules as a mini-fridge is a sophisticated electric device. You should bear in mind that although a mini fridge keeps its inside cool, it also generates a lot of heat. A mini fridge cabinet is a piece of furniture whose design is a delicate process, so do not rush it.

The kind of fridge you choose may need to put some distance between the refrigerator and the floor. Everything else will be covered in the following parts, so stay tuned.

Put your mini-fridge there, but first, ensure everything is in its correct position. As a matter of fact, it is probably the best spot in your house for a mini-fridge.

One word of caution before you proceed. You don’t want the heat from your refrigerator to become trapped. As a result, your fridge will only last half as long.

To be more specific, a refrigerator will not work in a standard, unmodified kitchen cabinet. The cabinet must be sufficiently aired to avoid overheating.

When the rear of the fridge’s heating components warm the air around them, the air rises and is thus replaced by fresh, colder air from the lower levels. For convection to work, hot air must leave the unit from above, and cold air from the room must come in from below.

What Do You Need

Materials

• Mini fridge
• Stock upper cabinet
• Craft board
• Wood glue
• Screws
• Paint
• Stock lumber
• Wood stain
• Sheet of plywood
• Pneumatic nails
• Wood filler
• Clear polyurethane
• Cabinet knobs

Tools

• Measuring tape
• Miter saw
• Clamps
• Drill
• Paintbrush
• Sandpaper
• Rubber gloves
• Stud finder
• Nail gun

How To Build A Mini Fridge Cabinet?

First, you must cut a hole in a cabinet to fit a mini-fridge. It is similar to an air conditioning unit installed on the wall in that you will need to cut a hole in the wall to ensure appropriate ventilation.

In this particular instance, you do not have to go that far. A cupboard or closet will suffice. But how Is It Possible To Construct A Small Fridge Cabinet? Onward!

Mini-fridges may be simply installed in a cabinet as long as sufficient space and ventilation are considered. Following these guidelines will guarantee that the fridge is installed correctly:

• Measure the dimensions of the fridge and the cabinet.
• Make The Cabinet
• Remove shelves if necessary.
• Wire the fridge and open the vents.
• Put in electricity lines via the holes.
• Connect the mini fridge to the power source.
• Avoiding unplugging the power cable

You may need to make particular modifications based on the mini-fridge.

Measure The Dimensions Of The Fridge And The Cabinet

Measure The Mini Fridge

Make sure you have a measuring tape on hand so you can figure out the total measurements of your little refrigerator. Your cabinet will be only a little bit larger than your mini refrigerator. To allow for adequate airflow, you should increase both the breadth and depth by a couple of inches.

Since measuring is one of the most important things, I did it very carefully. I have allowed some room around the cabinet housing the mini fridge to ensure that the refrigerator has enough airflow. by

Sketch The Design

It’s always a good idea to sketch out your design first, so you can visualize the bar and tweak anything ahead of time.  It’s also a great place to jot down each board’s dimensions for your cut list.

You can use software like teowin or hand drawing to sketch the little house for your fridge. In my case, I used software to create the mini fridge cabinet design. There are many free and paid software built for designing cabinets. Just Google and pick a software you feel good for you. 

Make The Cabinet

Cut Boards for the Frame 

To construct the outer frame of the bar, you will need to measure, mark, and trim the 2×4 board. As soon as I had the board measured, I used the automated saw to get it to the proper length.

Assemble Frame

Use a speed square, wood glue, and screws to put together the frame of the smaller bottom shelf. 

Pro Tip: Always pre-drill the holes in the wood before inserting wood screws to prevent the wood from breaking. When putting together the countertop, use the same procedure.

Cut Legs

Take measurements, make marks, and cut four 2×4 to 42 inches legs. Make a note at the half-inch mark on a speed square at the extremity of each board.  I have put these marks when putting the legs,

Attach Legs

Place the legs on a level surface, and position them so that the 1/2 “marks are made with the frame of the bottom shelf.  Glue wood together and use 2-1/3 “screws for wood. The bar should now be inverted, and the countertop frame should be aligned with the legs before being secured. Keep the legs’ tops flush with the table top’s margin.

Attach Front Apron 

After inverting the bar, so it is facing the correct direction, I have measured and made marks for the front apron boards. The front apron gives the bar a smooth fascia.

Attach Top

In order to connect the top, you will need to invert the piece and use pocket screws and wood glue. Attach with a 1/2-inch overhang on either side. 

Attach Nailer

I have installed a nailer board made of 2×4 lumber. This will fasten the vertical boards of the bottom cabinet. For this procedure, I used a nail gun.

You can secure pieces of wood together by using a pocket hole. It relies heavily on the level of skill you possess.

Cut Pickets

Choose picket boards that are long enough to go from the bottom shelf to the cabinet rear and to the edges of the fridge cabinet. I have cut four back and seven bottom boards measuring 1×6 by 27 inches “long apiece.

I have also reduced to size five sideboards with the dimensions of 1 x 6 x 38 inches in length each, as well as five panels with the dimensions of 1 x 6 and 42 inches each. I have made five boards for the countertops that are 1 by 6 inches and 43 inches long.

Install Bottom and Back Pickets

Make sure that the boards are attached to the structure in a horizontal position by using the wood screws that measure 1-1/2 inches. Make sure you leave enough room in the rear for the power connection to the refrigerator.

Install Top Pickets

I have left a 1-1/2″ gap between the front board and the backboard. I used the 1-1/2 inch screws. Depending on your measurements, you may have to cut the final board.

Sand Wood

Using an orbital sanding polisher and 220 grit sandpaper, smooth the surface of the cabinet top as well as any rough places. I have merely used sandpaper to smooth the surface.

Figure 7- Sanding The Cabinet Wood

Paint

After smoothing out any uneven areas, give the cabinet the color and finish of your choosing by painting or staining it. The cabinet in white is my personal favorite. So I painted it white.

Insert Mini Fridge

Carefully insert the mini fridge, ensuring that there is enough space for ventilation and that the power wire can easily pass through the cabinet.

Attach Bottle Opener and Hooks

To make it easier to reach your accessories, hang a towel rack, soda bottle opener, and hangers on the cabinet. You may install a cabinet knob on the door of the cabinet if you want to.

I think knobs on a mini fridge cabinet are a nice touch. So I added one.

Remove Shelves If Necessary

It is best if your fridge is put at the bottom of the cabinet, and any additional storage that blocks ventilation is removed. The shelves on the interior of the cabinet or wardrobe should be easy to remove in most cases. This is also true with wardrobes.

If the shelves really aren’t simply resting on inside joints, get a drill or a screwdriver to put them in place. If you do not need the shelves above the fridge, remove them to increase heat release and airflow.

Wire The Fridge And Open The Vents

There must be enough room for sufficient ventilation in the cabinet to keep your mini fridge dissipating heat. This gives mini – fridges space to ‘breathe’ and allows the heat it emits to escape into the air.

In order to facilitate better circulation of air, you need to leave a gap of at least two to three inches all the way around each border. A violation of the two-inch buffer requirement will occur if shelving is placed too close to the wall.

This increased space helps with air circulation, but it needs more vents to work well.

If you want to prevent your refrigerator from being too warm, you should leave one side open. You should slightly raise the mini fridge so that it does not get overheated. Small rails may be used to support the refrigerator’s feet.

To construct a mini fridge ventilation hole, you may need to remove cabinet frames.

A tiny reciprocating saw can produce a clean hole to pass the power line through and remove heat.

Put In Electricity Lines Via The Holes

After locating the electrical outlets relative to the fridge, decide whether an extension cable is needed to extend under the cabinetry.

Be careful not to tug on the power cord excessively firmly, since this increases the likelihood that the power cord will get disconnected or that the outlet will be damaged. Unstable plugs provide a risk of fire and may even cause a spark if they are not properly attached.

There will be an additional distance required for plugging the refrigerator in if it is not going to be tucked up against the wall.

Connect The Mini Fridge To The Power Source

Once connected in, the fridge will work most effectively and keep goods cool. It will need a larger amount of energy to maintain the optimum temperature if the plug is removed often.

If the refrigerator is considerably louder than normal, there may be a problem with the ventilation in the cabinet. If heat is not allowed to escape in the proper manner, the appliance is forced to work harder.

In order to store food safely in the refrigerator, the temperature should never exceed 40 degrees Fahrenheit. You should use this as your default setting and keep an eye on it to verify if the refrigerator is working properly.

Avoiding Unplugging The Power Cable

Once a socket has been designated for your mini refrigerator, it is best not to disconnect it. If you sometimes unplug your fridge, when you turn it back on, it will use a lot of energy to get its temperature back to normal before it can start to work normally again.

Safety And Functionality Of A Mini-Fridge Cabinet

A mini-fridge kept in a cabinet is safe since it poses low risks of overheating. Overheating might damage the surface of the cabinet or make it hot to the touch.

Make sure the area is devoid of extremely flammable objects like paper to eliminate even the tiniest potential of a fire. Higher fire dangers occur from not regularly cleaning a refrigerator’s coils, exposed wires, or dust collection in the cabinet rear. So make sure they are clean.

Warning: The proper functioning of the refrigerator is put in jeopardy when there is inadequate airflow coming from the ventilation system of the unit. Refrigerators must release heat to cool the rear fans.

If they can not control the temperature, they will have to work harder to make sure the inside is cool. This will result in increased use of energy, which will cause issues.

Here are several ways to increase your mini fridge’s safety and functionality in a cabinet.

Use A Front-Vented Fridge

If there is no place for rear or side venting, consider a front-venting fridge. You will get the best result if you do not install any front cabinet doors,

Take Off The Backs Of The Cabinets

If you remove the fridge’s cabinet back will be simpler to plug in and provide more airflow to avoid overheating or damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to Safely Put a Mini Fridge in a Cabinet Wardrobe?

The radiator fluid transmits heat from the mini fridge’s interior compartments to the back radiator.  Air must be blown through the radiator to disperse heat enough from a refrigerator.

Consider the following factors to safely put a mini fridges in the cabinet:

The bottom or sidewalls of the closet may be a source of chilly, dense air for the refrigerator’s storage section.

Warm and light air must ascend and leave the fridge compartment, ideally at the top.

Mini-fridges need enough room around them to provide for adequate circulation to the rear of the refrigerator and the radiator.

2. How Much Ventilation Does A Fridge Need?

Refrigerators need air circulation to function correctly. If walls surround them, there will not be much area for air circulation or ventilation. When measuring the space, allow 1 inch of additional space for the backside and top of the mini fridge.

3. How Much Clearance Does A Mini Fridge Need?

Ensure that the mini fridge is balanced before proceeding with the installation. You should try to leave a gap of around three inches between the backside of your mini fridge and the frame to achieve the best cooling performance. This is the second most critical step.

4. How to Build an Interlocking Retaining Wall

• Make a trench with a level bottom that is large enough to accommodate the foundation stones. Use a hand tamper to tamp down the trench’s bottom.
• The trench should be lined with landscape cloth. Cover the cloth with the foundation stones to keep them in place. 
• Shaping and backfilling cavities and leveling out individual stones can help you achieve a level and solid base.
• Begin the second layer of the wall by utilizing a staggered design to begin. Put a thin coating of glue on the bottom bricks and then add another layer of blocks. It is up to you how high you want this retaining wall to be!
• Check to see whether the wall is straight. You may cut any surplus landscape fabric by folding it over the wall and stapling it down. Adhere the capstones to the landscape cloth to keep them in place.

5. How to Build a Simple Shelf?

• Locate a wall stud and note the first shelf bracket’s placement on the wall.
• Install the bracket using screws that are at least an inch long enough to pierce the wall stud.
• Make a mark for the second stud.
• Hold the second bracket in place as you align the first to the second stud.
• Mark the second wall screw placement.
• Screw the second bracket into the wall stud at least an inch.
• Mount the shelf to the mounting brackets. Install the shelf using short screws.

6. How Do You Waterproof Wood Cabinets?

Three tried-and-true methods will ensure your wood will remain waterproof for many years to come.

• Use the linseed or Tung oil to get a stunning and long-lasting hand-rubbed finish.
• Applying a layer of polyurethane, varnish, or lacquer over the wood’s surface will seal it.
• Applying a stain and sealer combination on wood at the same time will both finish and protect the wood.

Conclusion

Whether it’s movie night, game days, or late-night parties, mini-fridges get your beverage chilled in no time. Putting them in the right-sized cabinet is necessary both for the convenience and aesthetic of your house.

Now you know How To Build A Mini Fridge Cabinet, and I am hopeful that you can build yourself one. As long as the refrigerator has enough ventilation on all sides, it is safe to store it in a cabinet. When your basic requirements are addressed, the chances of a fire are pretty low.