[mcpear]

When we winterized the cabin, it was before I got home that I realized that I had not unplugged the fridge (though I did take all the food out). It's a 6 hour round trip and no one else in the area has a key to get it. Will the below freezing temperatures damage the fridge? Is there any chance that something could burn out and cause a fire? Thanks.

[denman]

As soon as you can arrange to get someone to go in and unplug it
Mail someone a key perhaps one of your neighbors is going out for Xmas.

It should not cause a problem as long as the temp stays well below freezing, so it depends where the cabin is.
The fridge will stay cold due to low cabin temperature and the compressor will never come on

Because the oil in the compressor will be thicker at cold temps if the compressor does come on it may stall and/or overheat. It does have an overload protector but this is still not good for it as it will reset and keep trying to start.

Also the defrost heater will still operate like normal, this can raise the temp in the fridge and could cause it to start.

Also depends where your thermostat is set.

Hope this helps but on reading my reply seems like I asked more questions than gave answers.

[mcpear]

The area is well below freezing (4 degrees this morning) but there may also be an issue in regards to access due to snow cover. Is there any history of a fire being started in this situation? If worse comes to worse we may have to drag a snowmobile up there if that is the case. The fridge burning out would be unfortunate but my biggest concern is if it could cause a fire. Thanks.

[denman]

I have never heard of a fridge causing a fire in these circumstances but I am no expert
I did an internet search and it looks like when they do burn it is caused by some random part fault

Perhaps someone else with more experience than I will jump in and reply

Do your own internet searches using different terms, you may come to a different conclusion than I did. Keep looking till you feel confident it is safe.
You don't want to worry till spring

Might be a fun trip if you are into riding machines