Dorm style refrigerator lock

[alesis]

Hey guys-
I have the typical small dorm style fridge in my upside kitchen. I've tried using Velcro to keep the door from opening during travel but it doesn't work well.
I googled locks as well, but most seem to be for the inside fridge or residential styles. I've considered going to get a hook/eye or gate style slide latch from Home Depot or the like, but thought you guys may have a better option?

[Naio]

rockhillmanor wrote:
When mine kept opening, all I did was to 'remove' all the food I had put in the door panel. Problem solved.

Too much weight in door panel storage and these fridge doors often do come open while traveling.

Mine doesn't have space in the door for food but it still comes open. Maybe I go on bumpier roads.

[Boband4]

I dont have an outside kitchen, so I am not sure about clearances when the outside hatch is closed. Could you use a spring loaded "cafe" curtain rod across the front of the compartment? It would be similar in concept to what truckers use to brace loads inside of trailers.

[dodge_guy]

Bungee cord or a nylon pull strap that locks would be best.

[rockhillmanor]

When mine kept opening, all I did was to 'remove' all the food I had put in the door panel. Problem solved.

Too much weight in door panel storage and these fridge doors often do come open while traveling.

[Naio]

coolmom42 wrote:
Bungee cord.

That's what I use, but I am following this thread in hopes of a classier solution :B.

I fill my little freezer FULL, to keep it cold. So I need something that will pull the door shut with some firmness, and evenly at top and bottom.. My bungie is extra fat, and wraps around top and bottom of handle.

Hook and eyebolt latches would pull out. And I am wary of screwing into the box. Multiple window sash locks would work, but that gets rather less elegant by the time I add two or three.

[westend]

Any kind of latch you install, you should be mindful that your fridge doesn't have any wiring or heating coils close to the door. Some have a defrost feature that have those.

I am thinking of a new latch for my own dorm fridge and will probably go with a strap and clamp affair or, even one of these Sash locks would work.

[afidel]

kohai wrote:

babynursedawn wrote:
There are safety latches that stick on the outside. Usually in "baby safety" sections, like Walmart.

I'm currently trying this. I did notice it got hot enough outside that the adhesive warmed up and it slid at some point and now it is crooked.

Better Velcro, they use one kind to hold up drywall in commercial installs so those will obviously have adhesive that won't move no matter how hot it gets.

[coolmom42]

Bungee cord.

[Cobra21]

Hook and eye would be good. I would use anything metal that you don't mind
looking at. Maybe brass hook/eye?
Brian

[kohai]

babynursedawn wrote:
There are safety latches that stick on the outside. Usually in "baby safety" sections, like Walmart.

I'm currently trying this. I did notice it got hot enough outside that the adhesive warmed up and it slid at some point and now it is crooked.

[rexlion]

A longer piece of Velcro, maybe? It worked for me.

[babynursedawn]

There are safety latches that stick on the outside. Usually in "baby safety" sections, like Walmart.