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By: BBQGuys Staff
The Skinny:- Lives up to its outdoor rating for consistent performance in a variety of conditions
- Energy Star®-certified, increasing cooling efficiency while reducing operating costs
- Vibration-dampening system creates remarkably quiet operation around the clock
- 304-grade stainless steel door and toe kick bring durability and style to outdoor kitchens
- Trio of spacious and stylish glass shelves can hold up to 136 cans at once
Value can be a tough thing to pin down, but we always know it when we see it. Take for example the Azure 2.0 24-inch, 5.6-cubic-foot compact refrigerator: it not only carries an outdoor rating, not only offers storage capacity among the best in its class, but also comes with an Energy Star certification for efficiency — all at one of the most agreeable prices for Premium-class outdoor refrigeration. Before you even factor in build quality and helpful features, there’s no doubt Azure has made one of the most value-packed compact fridges we’ve had the pleasure of reviewing.
For this Azure 2.0 24-inch compact refrigerator review, we examined all aspects of quality, performance, and features to paint you a complete picture of what the unit brings to outdoor spaces. Our tests mixed hard data with real-world use, both equally important in determining where this particular Azure outdoor-rated compact refrigerator falls among its peers in the Premium class.
Quality:
Benefits
- 304-grade stainless steel door and toe kick are excellent at resisting corrosion
- Towel-bar handle, all-black interior, and glass shelves help create a refined look
- Generous warranty includes 3 years on the compressor and approval for outdoor use
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We started our Azure 2.0 24-inch outdoor-rated refrigerator review with a look at its materials, using a handheld XRF analyzer to inspect the chemical composition of each component. The door and toe kick both turned up as 304-grade stainless steel, the commercial-grade alloy that’s especially strong against rust and a mark of Premium-class construction. The unit’s exterior proved to be painted metal — a notably less durable material, but not a major knock considering roughly half of Premium-class compact refrigerators have painted metal bodies as well. (The alternative would be a fully stainless steel unit, but its absence here helps keep price down.)
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While the stainless steel door lends a refined look at first glance, we were even more impressed by the aesthetics once we took a peek inside. The industry-standard plastic interior is all-black, producing a striking appearance when the unit is opened. That high-end look is reinforced by the glass shelves, a welcome departure from the typical wire shelving found in most of the class. As for the warranty, Azure’s 3-year coverage on the compressor and 1-year promise on labor are quite customer-friendly; the 1-year general warranty, meanwhile, is right in line with our expectations. Its outdoor rating means this friendly warranty won’t be voided over outdoor use, which isn’t something every compact refrigerator can claim.
Performance:
Benefits
- ● Easy-to-use digital controls prompt swift responses from the unit for dialed-in cooling
- ● Energy Star certification is a major advantage for consumers looking to keep costs low
- ● Outdoor rating means the unit will keep pumping in adverse weather settings
Before getting under the proverbial hood, we had high hopes for the performance portion of our Azure compact refrigerator review. It entered with an outdoor rating, approval for commercial use, and an Energy Star credential, any of which would be encouraging on its own. We were happy to discover the Azure 2.0 compact fridge proved itself worthy of all 3 designations, staying locked on its setting in a range of unfriendly ambient temperatures. It’s also worth noting that both the impressive commercial rating and money-saving Energy Star certification are fairly rare among Premium-class refrigeration units — especially at this price point.
A closer look at the technology showed us how Azure achieved those ratings: the unit has a forced-air, convection cooling system with dual temperature sensors monitoring the cabinet. Physically managing the refrigerator’s temperature is just as seamless thanks to its intuitive digital controls, whose cool blue display left a good impression as well. And though the resulting temperature range of 34°F–43°F is one of the narrowest in class, it still rests within optimal cooling temperatures and is a fair trade-off for the extremely efficient overall performance.
Features:
Benefits
- Icy blue lighting illuminates the spacious cabinet capable of holding 136 cans
- Alarm sounds when the door is left ajar, helping you save money and preserve contents
- Adjustable shelves and leveling feet pair with field-reversible hinge for personalized use
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Even without door storage, the Azure 2.0 24-inch compact refrigerator provides a generous amount of space for drinks and condiments best kept near the grill. The 5.6 cubic feet within the cabinet comfortably hold 136 12-oz. cans at the same time — yep, we counted every single one — though the adjustable shelves make it possible to store larger items like wine bottles or 2-liters. But that’s not the only customizable aspect of this Azure outdoor-rated refrigerator: the door hinge is reversible for left- or right-handed opening, while the included leveling feet adjust between 33⅞” and 35” to fit various BBQ island heights. With a front-venting design that makes no-clearance, built-in installation possible, the Azure 2.0 is a desirable solution for outdoor kitchen cooling.
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Another major feature is Azure’s vibration-dampening technology that keeps the unit’s operation noise as quiet as 39 dBA (dBA is simply a weighted measure of decibels that considers the human ear’s sensitivity to different frequencies). For reference, a normal conversation with someone 3 feet away registers as 60 dBA, so the hushed tones of the Azure 24-inch fridge won’t interfere with your outdoor entertainment. We also appreciated the automatic defrost, which is fairly common among Premium-class units but saves time that would otherwise be spent on tedious, routine cleanup.
A door alarm rounds out the impressive collection of features, alerting the user when the fridge hasn’t been completely shut. That’s fairly rare in this product class, and we can’t overstate the dual benefits of preventing drinks from losing their chill and ensuring the unit never needlessly runs. Finally, the cool-blue LED interior lighting and towel-bar handle serve as functional yet aesthetically-pleasing touches that drive home the premium feel — and value-packed nature — of the Azure 2.0 24-inch compact outdoor refrigerator.
About the BBQGuys Staff
Being in business since 1998, we’ve assembled a group of experienced experts to evaluate every product in our growing inventory. Whether it’s our product trainers, R&D team, or the legendary Chef Tony himself — lucky you! — you can rest assured that BBQGuys Staff reviews are conducted by an authority in the field with years of industry knowledge.