Dose the fridge still cool? If so then yes you can still use it, get a inkbird or a Stc controller and a heater and they can then control the inside of the fridge tempreture by just turning the the fridge/ heater on and off
I had to remove the thermostat and light housing from mine or I couldn't get the fermenting bucket in. Remove the thermostat and rejoin the wires, no problem. It's only electricity, what could possibly go wrong?
Yeah thats right, if you are unsure always use your tongue to test for spark, remember the magic smoke, once you let that out, it is very difficult to get stuff to work again.