Storing batteries in a refrigerator

Storing batteries/cells in a refrigerator slows down their rate of self-discharge, which is a good thing.

See below some graphs of self-discharge rates as function of temperature for different battery chemistries.

For SLA:

For alkalines:

_{(source: digikey.com)}

And here's some information for Lithium Ion.

It's beneficial to store them at lower temperatures. The benefit depends on the chemistry.

See here for more info.

As long as you don't introduce condensation and you don't have an electrolyte that freezes at whatever temperature you bring them down to, the colder, the better.

Storing alkaline batteries in the refrigerator is not recommended. Manufacturers recommend storing batteries in a cool, dry location, and perhaps some people have taken that to mean "the colder, the better" — but that's a myth.

Energizer, for example, has this excerpt on their do's and don'ts of battery care:

DO practice proper battery storage by keeping batteries in a cool, dry place at normal room temperature. It is not necessary to store batteries in a refrigerator.

For more detail, see the Energizer FAQ on non-rechargeable batteries.

Is it a good idea to store batteries in a refrigerator or freezer?

No, storage in a refrigerator or freezer is not required or recommended for batteries produced today. Cold temperature storage can in fact harm batteries if condensation results in corroded contacts or label or seal damage due to extreme temperature storage. To maximize performance and shelf life, store batteries at normal room temperatures (68°F to 78°F or 20°C to 25°C) with moderated humidity levels (35 to 65% RH).