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By: BBQGuys Staff
The Skinny:- Double drawers offer spacious storage chilled by Marvel’s Dynamic Cooling Technology
- Unlike many compact refrigerators, rated to safely store food as well as drinks
- Carries coveted Energy Star® and outdoor ratings for efficient, dependable performance
- Fully stainless steel design provides corrosion resistance and professional style
- Self-closing door, lock, and alarms keep contents secure to create peace of mind
After opening its doors in 1892, Marvel Refrigeration spent parts of 3 centuries cementing itself as one of the most trusted brands in the industry. The oldest refrigeration company in North America made good use of its time, continually introducing innovations like foamed-in-place fridges, stainless steel interiors, and glass doors. Marvel ultimately turned its eyes to outdoor refrigeration and maintained its standing as a leader with an extensive selection of all types: compact refrigerators, ice makers, beverage centers, and more.
Considering Marvel’s illustrious history, it would’ve been easy for us to approach this Marvel 24-inch refrigerated drawers review ready to hand out high marks without a second thought. But that’s not how we do things around here; like every other product we have the pleasure of reviewing, we remove the bias in favor of real-world tests and hard data that objectively gauge quality, performance, and features. The results help us determine the product’s value and benefits relative to the competition, which then help you make an informed decision.
Quality:
Benefits
- Built to last with durable stainless steel that resists rust and stand the test of time
- Outdoor-rated unit can be placed in the backyard without voiding its strong warranty
- Pro-style handles and arctic-white lighting lend a sense of elegance to the fridge
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It should come as no surprise that a brand with such a remarkable history puts each of its products through inspections for strict quality standards. But that doesn’t mean we can’t do the same thing ourselves, with an XRF analysis showing us the chemical composition of materials used in construction. Inside and out, the Marvel 24-inch refrigerated drawers proved to be corrosion-resistant stainless steel, a hallmark of Luxury-class construction. The stainless steel interior was of particular interest to us — many competing refrigerated drawers line their cabinets with plastic, which is industry-standard but certainly not as durable as what Marvel does with this 24-inch model.
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Craftsmanship plays a role in quality, and it’s clear these Marvel refrigerated drawers were hand-built as advertised. The careful engineering is evident in the pro-style handles that are solid yet attractive, an often difficult balance for manufacturers to execute. More aesthetically pleasing details await inside the unit, namely the arctic-white LED lighting that makes the stainless steel pop.
Before we dive into warranty specifics, we’ll note that the unit carries an outdoor rating, which keeps the entire warranty intact even if the refrigerator is used in the backyard. Now for the details: while the general warranty is set for 1 year, Marvel offers a highly desirable 5 years of coverage on the hermetically sealed refrigeration system. That includes the compressor, condenser, evaporator, drier, accumulator, connecting tubing, and bypass valve — in simplest terms, the parts that keep your refrigerator running (this isn’t the setup for a joke, we swear!). Such a strong warranty not only keeps you protected well into the unit’s lifespan, but also showcases Marvel’s confidence in its quality.
Performance:
Benefits
- Dynamic, forced-air cooling system produces fast, stable, and responsive results
- Outdoor-rated, Energy Star-certified, and Food Safety-approved for peak performance
- Digital controls are easy to use and show actual temperatures, not just temperature settings
Again, we began our Marvel 24-inch outdoor-rated refrigerated drawers review knowing the unit had already cleared rigorous tests. There’s the outdoor rating, assigned by global certification company Underwriters Laboratories®, reflecting reliable operation in extreme environments; the coveted Energy Star credential for cost-cutting efficiency; and Food Safety certification for proper storage of more than just drinks. While all Luxury-class compact refrigerators boast an outdoor rating, not many can claim the Energy Star and Food Safety grades as well. That’s a win-win-win for outdoor entertainers who want the complete cooling package at a reduced cost over time.
Sounds great, but how does it work? We got under the hood to examine the forced-air cooling system, which chills air outside the storage areas then circulates it around the contents for fast, even cooling. (We vastly prefer this method over the older, less efficient cold-plate cooling.) Marvel calls it “Dynamic Cooling Technology,” but after rounds of temperature testing, we call it one of the best refrigeration systems out there. Even in our sweltering Louisiana warehouse, this 24-inch unit showed rapid response and recovery along with notable stability over long stretches. No wonder it’s rated to perform with no issues in ambient temperatures as high as 115°F.
The appliance’s Marvel Prime Controls are also worth mentioning, for both their ease of use and display philosophy. Where most other brands simply provide a readout of the set temperature, the Marvel outdoor-rated refrigerated drawers show actual internal temperature. This not only confirms whether your contents are at the right temperature, but also allows you to make real-time adjustments as soon as possible. Perhaps most impressive of all, these Marvel refrigerated drawers churn out top-of-the-line performance across the widest temperature range (34°F–60°F) among competing units.
Features:
Benefits
- Spacious unit with an extra-deep lower drawer allows more customized storage
- Audio/visual alarms send temperature and drawer alerts so your contents never spoil
- Efficient LED lights, drawer locks, and no-frost design put convenience first
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At some point during this Marvel refrigerated drawers review, you may have asked, “Why drawers instead of a classic refrigerator?” Here’s why: Marvel’s double-drawer configuration permits a variety of storage options, with an extra-deep lower cabinet and upper drawer divider for better organization. Taken in total, the unit provides 5 cubic feet of space — enough for 108 cans, assuming all you’re storing is 12-oz. beverages. When you need the extra room, that deep bottom drawer is designed to fit tall drinks, milk containers, and even 2-liter bottles. Both drawers glide out on soft rollers and are illuminated by that tasteful arctic-white LED lighting, a pair of high-end features we expect from Luxury-class refrigeration.
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Ample storage is one thing, but securing your precious goods is another. These Marvel outdoor-rated refrigerator drawers check that last box multiple times with a lock, self-closing mechanisms, and helpful alarms. Locks are standard for this product class, but the gentle self-close function is a real advantage no other competing unit we carry can claim. And while door-ajar alarms are common at this price point, Marvel outfitted this unit with audio/visual warnings for improper temperatures as well. In both cases, the appliance is always on guard against conditions that could threaten the security or quality of its contents.
Marvel drives home the convenience factor with completely frost-free operation, saving you from cleanup time and your food from freezer burn. The 4”-adjustable toe kick is another nice touch for personalization, coupling with the front-venting design for seamless installation straight into an outdoor kitchen island. There’s even Sabbath Mode, a setting that limits use in accordance with certain religious observations. It’s almost as if Marvel has spent more than 100 years refining what Luxury-class outdoor refrigeration should be.
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.