# Batteries and the Refrigerator **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 23, 2006, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batteries-and-the-refrigerator/345805 "2006-02-23T16:54:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2006, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batteries-and-the-refrigerator/345805/1 "2006-02-23T16:54:05Z")
My husband insists on keeping batteries in the refrigerator. Does this have any effect at all on extending their shelf life? ---
**Author:** ![Tevildo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Tevildo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tevildo)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2006, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batteries-and-the-refrigerator/345805/2 "2006-02-23T17:00:24Z")
This very topic is addressed [here](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mbattcharge.html). ---
**Author:** ![mks57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@mks57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mks57)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2006, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batteries-and-the-refrigerator/345805/3 "2006-02-23T17:01:30Z")
> [@Snakescatlady](#): > > My husband insists on keeping batteries in the refrigerator. Does this have any effect at all on extending their shelf life? I was just looking at battery care instructions from the major manufacturers of batteries, and they all said not to store them in the refrigerator. > [@](#): > > [Batteries by Energizer | All Battery Types](http://www.energizer.com/products/energizermax/faq.aspx#Q4) > > Should I store batteries in the refrigerator? > > Storing batteries in refrigerators or freezers is not required or recommended for batteries produced today. In fact, cold temperature storage can harm batteries. To maximize performance and shelf life, store batteries at normal room temperatures with moderate humidity levels. ---
**Author:** ![caymus28](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7bcc69/32.png) [@caymus28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caymus28)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2006, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batteries-and-the-refrigerator/345805/4 "2006-02-23T17:02:40Z")
“Should I store batteries in the refrigerator? Storing batteries in refrigerators or freezers is not required or recommended for batteries produced today. In fact, cold temperature storage can harm batteries. To maximize performance and shelf life, store batteries at normal room temperatures with moderate humidity levels.” from [Energizer.com](http://www.energizer.com/products/energizermax/faq.aspx#Q4); if they don’t know what’s good for batteries, I give up 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2006, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batteries-and-the-refrigerator/345805/5 "2006-02-23T17:04:08Z")
> [@Snakescatlady](#): > > My husband insists on keeping batteries in the refrigerator. Does this have any effect at all on extending their shelf life? It does have a slight benefit. Batteries are composed of chemicals that will react with each other even when they’re not under load. Lowering the temperature will reduce the speed of this reaction. The difference isn’t huge, but if you’re buying your batteries in bulk and keeping them around for two or three years, you’ll probably see some improvement in shelf life. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2006, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batteries-and-the-refrigerator/345805/6 "2006-02-23T18:51:07Z")
Back in the day when I was a part time wedding photographer and used HV flash units, which used a costly 510 Volt drycell, I stored them in the 'fridge between jobs. It seemed to prolong the life of the battery. If I had been working every weekend it probably wouldn’t have mattered, but I only used it once a month or so. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2006, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batteries-and-the-refrigerator/345805/7 "2006-02-23T20:13:25Z")
> [@GaryM](#): > > Back in the day when I was a part time wedding photographer… There’s the key. The chemistry in modern batteries is shelf-stable at normal room conditions. Older batteries would self-discharge in a few months, but now, batteries are good for years. [Duracell](http://www.duracell.com/care_disposal/care.asp) flat-out says “Do not refrigerate”