Kitchen Large Electric Appliances - Chest Freezer/Refrigerator Conversion

I would like to know if I can somehow convert a chest freezer (like a 6 ft size) to operate as a refrigerator? either by changing t-stat or the type of refrigerant or??. If the temp setting was on the lowest would it still freeze?

I need a fridge that size as I am starting a small produce operation and need a good sized fridge to hold cases of fresh produce till I can get an affordable walk-in. A 6ft chest would be perfect for my needs.

Used chest freezers are plentiful and reasonable where I live 100-250 range. leaves some $$ room for a possible conversion.
I saw that Westinghouse makes one but i'd prefer to customize a used one.would like to know what other brands make a 6ft long chest fridge.


All help appreciated !
Thanks
Guinzo73

Hello: Guinzo

Might be possible but not heard of it done personally. May be worth asking at the local appliance parts stores. There they would know if the thermostats where interchangeable and able to manage the temperatures.

I could be wrong but I doubt the refrigerant would alter the temperatures. Temp is controlled by the thermostat. Changing the refrigerant may not be legal, harmful to the compressor and other parts if not compatible with the new refrigerants.

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I would not suggest doing it.

The inner walls in the freezer is your "Cooling area" when you run it, the wall will start freezing the water vaper. That's why you have to defrost it when it get thick of ice/frost.

Now when you turn the temp up, it's going to run a short cycle. wall will form w/ frost.. When the compressor cycles off. that ice on the wall will melt Then it will lead to a bed of water on the bottom of the freezer.

If you don't drain the water. will lead your produce to roting I am sure you don't need that.

Go buy a upright ref and use that.

the cycling thing makes sense....maybe a little research on a chest fridge would be better insurance since it is made that way,
as I look at my amana upright it seems i would need 3 or 4 of them.

i was gonna tore it on the side of the house (fenced in) as if I used the uprights they could be seen...not to good for code enforcment (strict here) chest could be easily hidden.

who knows...we'll play with it for a little while.

Thanks
Ant