Storing battery in the fridge?
- Thread starter Picard12
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Twvandoren
Member
I do not believe that is correct. In general, lithium batteries like to be at room temperature.
Twvandoren
Member
“Effect of Temperature on Lithium-ion Batteries
All batteries experience a loss in performance at low temperatures. The ideal storage temperature for most batteries, including lithium-ion, is 59°F (15°C). Temperatures dipping down at or close to 32°F (0°C) cause a slow-down in the chemical reactions inside of the cell—resulting in a loss in capacity of the battery. When users put a battery under heavy load at cold temperatures it can cause a phenomenon known as cell reversal. This is a common cause of failure in cordless power tools. Users who need their lithium ion batteries to function in cold climates should be aware of these temperature effects on batteries. Store them in a safe, temperature-controlled space during the winter months.”
www.uschemicalstorage.com
All batteries experience a loss in performance at low temperatures. The ideal storage temperature for most batteries, including lithium-ion, is 59°F (15°C). Temperatures dipping down at or close to 32°F (0°C) cause a slow-down in the chemical reactions inside of the cell—resulting in a loss in capacity of the battery. When users put a battery under heavy load at cold temperatures it can cause a phenomenon known as cell reversal. This is a common cause of failure in cordless power tools. Users who need their lithium ion batteries to function in cold climates should be aware of these temperature effects on batteries. Store them in a safe, temperature-controlled space during the winter months.”
Lithium Ion Battery Storage Requirements
Lithium ion batteries have become ultra-common but there are risks. Learn about lithium-ion battery storage requirements with U.S. Chemical Storage.
www.uschemicalstorage.com
Joecrow
Active member
Why bother with all that when AI can give the answer in an instant?
Quote:-
Conclusion
While storing lithium batteries in the fridge can reduce their self-discharge rate, it is crucial to manage the risks associated with condensation and temperature changes. Proper storage techniques can help maintain battery performance and safety.
Nothing like hedging your bets and if AI knows about it there must be a body of writings that suggest it is a good idea, when in fact most of us know it is not as is asking AI about anything.
pagheca
Active member
Actually, it's complicated...
It’s better not to take everything an online AI says as automatically correct. They often repeat misconceptions that circulate widely on the internet. Even manufacturers sometimes provide guidance that can be tricky to interpret properly if you are not an expert or at least familiar with physics and chemistry.
In conclusion there isn’t a simple yes-or-no answer: it depends on the type of battery, how long you need to store them for and many other details. And even then there are specific safety procedures that must be followed when storing them in a refrigerator or taking them out again to avoid damaging them.
Here is one of the more thorough sources I’ve found on the subject:
The reason why we do not need put batteries in freezer? | ELB Energy Group
It’s better not to take everything an online AI says as automatically correct. They often repeat misconceptions that circulate widely on the internet. Even manufacturers sometimes provide guidance that can be tricky to interpret properly if you are not an expert or at least familiar with physics and chemistry.
In conclusion there isn’t a simple yes-or-no answer: it depends on the type of battery, how long you need to store them for and many other details. And even then there are specific safety procedures that must be followed when storing them in a refrigerator or taking them out again to avoid damaging them.
Here is one of the more thorough sources I’ve found on the subject:
The reason why we do not need put batteries in freezer? | ELB Energy Group
My personal opinion is that all considered it isn't worth the effort and risks for our safety and for the battery life.
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Torqshred
New Member
No , theres a reason why lithium battery's have heaters inside of them
pagheca
Active member
Pardon me, but that's for a different reason: because for various reasons they need to stay within a certain temp range while in use. Storage is different.
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Temps we like, our batteries like..Easy to remember. 60-80f at 60-80% charge.
Source ….my 30years in RC. Diligently kept batteries last longer and carry more capacity.
There’s no reason you can’t put your bike battery next to the the AAAs and AAs from 1996. Look behind the I can’t believe it’s not butter spray, Uncle Burl brought for himself Thanksgiving 97’ . They are still there.
It’s yours keep it where you want
.
Source ….my 30years in RC. Diligently kept batteries last longer and carry more capacity.
There’s no reason you can’t put your bike battery next to the the AAAs and AAs from 1996. Look behind the I can’t believe it’s not butter spray, Uncle Burl brought for himself Thanksgiving 97’ . They are still there.
It’s yours keep it where you want
.
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Amber Valley Guy
Well-known member
Took my battery out of the bike (kept in the garage) to get some heat into it today before I went for a ride. It was around 7C in the garage this morning and probably colder overnight, it took around 4hrs to bring upto room temp (approx 17-18 C). What I'm trying to say is batteries have lots of dense mass and are like defrosting a frozen chicken or turkey. Keeping one in the fridge (unless the fridge is warmer than wherever it's kept) is ridiculous.
Montana St Alum
Active member
My bike won't fit in the fridge.
pagheca
Active member
sorry if I do insist, but one thing is long term storage, and one is usage of a battery.
Although cold temps are not good for discharge rates in the short-term, I mean the EV will not make as much power at that moment, it definitely prevents degradation.
But really room temperature is good enough. If you can get your battery out of a hot garage during the summer it'll last the bike's useful lifetime easily with very low degradation.
High temperatures on the other hand, anything over about 85° f, starts to degrade a battery. Once you get over a 100' F, it's pretty significant degradation. Where I live in Texas my garage is over 100° for 4 plus months of the year. That's why the removable battery is useful on my Relay so I can just pop it out and bring it into the house. In the winter I don't bother.
But really room temperature is good enough. If you can get your battery out of a hot garage during the summer it'll last the bike's useful lifetime easily with very low degradation.
High temperatures on the other hand, anything over about 85° f, starts to degrade a battery. Once you get over a 100' F, it's pretty significant degradation. Where I live in Texas my garage is over 100° for 4 plus months of the year. That's why the removable battery is useful on my Relay so I can just pop it out and bring it into the house. In the winter I don't bother.
The reference to "keeping it in the fridge" likely came from a comment I made.
Long term cold storage, like over the winter where you are not using it, of lithium batteries in a cooler/fridge, prolongs the life of the battery by slowing SEI (solid electrolyte interphase) growth.
The same chemical state that cause a li battery to be damaged during charging and discharging in cold temps, also preserves it when it is not in use.
Pretty common practice with high dollar lithium accumulators.
Does it hold value for e-bike batteries ?
Not for me personally, I buy a new bike or two every year.
And the batteries are relatively cheap.
Part of the issue manufacturers have with this is that people are dumb. They will pull that battery out of a cooler and attempt to use it before it has warmed sufficiently, or worse, attempt to rapidly warm it, to go on an impromptu ride.
The construction techniques used with current e bike batteries leaves something to be desired as far as tolerance to rapid thermal swings. The individual cells being encased in tight fitting aluminum housings, connected with foils and spot welds is not ideal to cope with thermally driven mechanical stresses.
I'd say no.
Montana St Alum
Active member
Bravo! I like the cut of your jib.
Tonny
New Member
Storing batteries in the fridge used to be common advice, but for most modern batteries, it’s not recommended anymore.
For alkaline and lithium-ion batteries, refrigeration doesn’t improve lifespan and can actually create problems. When batteries are taken out of a cold environment, condensation can form, which increases the risk of corrosion on the terminals and internal damage, especially if they’re not in airtight packaging.
Lithium-ion batteries (phones, laptops, power tools, etc.) are best stored:
At room temperature (around 15–25°C / 59–77°F)
In a dry environment
At 40–60% charge if stored long-term
Cold temperatures can temporarily reduce performance, and repeated temperature changes are more harmful than helpful.
The only cases where temperature-controlled storage makes sense are industrial or bulk battery storage scenarios, where conditions like humidity, fire risk, and chemical stability are carefully managed not a household fridge. If you need to know about Lithium Batteries Storage, so you can read:
ushazmatstorage.com
For alkaline and lithium-ion batteries, refrigeration doesn’t improve lifespan and can actually create problems. When batteries are taken out of a cold environment, condensation can form, which increases the risk of corrosion on the terminals and internal damage, especially if they’re not in airtight packaging.
Lithium-ion batteries (phones, laptops, power tools, etc.) are best stored:
At room temperature (around 15–25°C / 59–77°F)
In a dry environment
At 40–60% charge if stored long-term
Cold temperatures can temporarily reduce performance, and repeated temperature changes are more harmful than helpful.
The only cases where temperature-controlled storage makes sense are industrial or bulk battery storage scenarios, where conditions like humidity, fire risk, and chemical stability are carefully managed not a household fridge. If you need to know about Lithium Batteries Storage, so you can read:
Safe Lithium Battery Storage: What You Need to Know to Reduce Risk
Learn how to store lithium batteries safely. Understand storage risks, fire hazards, best practices, and long-term safety considerations.
ushazmatstorage.com
Torqshred
New Member
Yes and no. A car won't sit in storage and let the battery cells go cold because they're not being used. While in storage the car with automatically keep the batteries within temps that will not hurt them.
If you put a car in -30 , see how often the battery warmer turns on. Even when the car is; off and in park.
pagheca
Active member
because the car must be ready in minutes in case you need to use it. For an ebike winter storage - and we are talking about this - is different.
I invite everyone to refer to the original, published technical papers, not to websites misinterpreting or simplifying things to obtain a few more clicks.
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Torqshred
New Member
Yes and its laughable at most.
Torqshred
New Member
Yeah I only KOM when I nuke my battery
pagheca
Active member
I really hope this was meant as a joke. Heating batteries in a microwave is extremely dangerous. Certain components can overheat, expand, and fail, potentially causing short circuits and severe damage to the battery. There’s also an added risk from eddy currents induced by the microwaves, which can create sparks in metallic parts and even start a fire.
On top of that, microwaves only heat certain molecules—mainly water—by resonating with them at about 2.45 GHz. That’s why dry materials like glass stay cool while food heats up quickly. A battery is not designed to absorb energy that way, so the only likely outcome is damage.
In short, please don’t try this. It’s dangerous and serves no useful purpose.
Montana St Alum
Active member
I expect it's a joke.
