By Gail Marsh
If it’s not already, it’s about to get hot soon, and your RV refrigerator will need your help.
Here are some tips for keeping your RV fridge cooling effectively all summer long:
• Check the seals located all along the edge of the refrigerator and/or freezer doors. If you notice cracking, loose seals, or even places where the seals are missing, make repairs before you head to the campground.
An easy way to check seals that show no visible signs of compromise is take a piece of paper about the size of a dollar bill (or just use a dollar bill!). Place the paper into the open freezer door and then close the door. When you gently tug on the paper, you should feel some resistance. That means the rubber is sealing properly. Test with the paper or dollar bill all around every side of the door(s).
• Also, check the outside refrigerator vent. Clear out any debris and wasp or bird nests that may impede air circulation.
• Consider purchasing a digital remote thermometer like this one. This will enable you to check the inside temps of both the fridge and freezer without having to open the doors—letting all that nice cold air escape. (This is especially important if you have health medications that must be stored at a specified temp.)
• Purchase a fridge fan to keep inside. It will evenly circulate the air and help your refrigerator run more efficiently.
• Turn on your RV refrigerator 12-24 hours before you leave home. This will give the unit a head start in cooling by using propane. Stock the shelves in the fridge with foods and condiments that are already cooled. These items will aid in cooling the fridge interior.
• Do not overfill the refrigerator. It needs adequate airflow around items in order to keep foods consistently cooled.
• Load the freezer with foods that are already frozen. (I like to bring made-ahead meals when we camp for several weeks, but I always freeze the meals in our home freezer before placing them inside the RV freezer.)
• When you are ready to travel, switch to your 12-volt DC power. (Gas cools your fridge down most effectively, but electricity is more efficient in keeping it cold. Plus, you won’t have to worry about using propane while driving.)
• Consider buying ice rather than adding that extra stress on your RV refrigerator’s ice maker—especially when it’s really hot outside.
• When possible, park your rig so that the refrigerator side is in the shade to assist with cooling. Also, make sure the RV is as level as possible. Your fridge may not operate properly if your rig is too far off-level.
• Always cool down leftovers to room temperature before placing them in the fridge.
• Know what you want to remove from your freezer or fridge before you open the door. It will help keep the inside air temps cool/cold.
• Defrost your freezer when ice builds up. To do this, put frozen foods inside a cooler to keep them frozen. You can put a pan of hot water inside the freezer, close the door, and wait for the ice to melt. Some folks like to use a hairdryer on a low heat setting because it’s quicker.
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RVDT2925
I bought some really thin cutting mats, and put them up the back wall of my freezer. I also put another cutting mat on the bottom of the freezer. When I finally defrosted my freezer yesterday, when the frost was over 2 inches thick, all I had to do was get the frozen stuff out, then tug on the mats, and the frost came off without any problems!
Umm, most absorption refrigerators use either propane or 120vac to cool, not 12vdc. (However all the controls operate off 12vdc regardless of the power source for cooling.)
We have used the external display with internal sensors for a couple years now. Really happy with this!
There are still 3-way fridges out there. I had them in 3 of my earlier glampers.
Our 2013 LTV has a 3-way refrigerator…electric, propane, and 12-volt. Has been trouble free for the 13 years we’ve owned this rig.
My gas/electric fridge is working great. Too great. It often freezes things in the fridge. I have a pretty rudimentary slide affair that is supposed to regulate temp, but is there anything else I can do? It’s in a 2025 Riverside’s Retro . Thanks.
The fan on the fins helps a lot. You did not mention if you also have a control other than moving your thermistor. If you have controls, vary the setting; don’t just set-and-forget.
If your fridge, 120 v or propane, is in a slide, then likely the upper vent doesn’t exit through the roof. This creates an air flow restriction with the 90 degree bend for the exit out the side wall. Either way, side wall or roof vent, pick up a fan and install it so it blows the hot air towards the vent. This will help keep the coils cooler and the fridge working better. Keep any add-ons away from hot surfaces.
We have a gas/electric fridge. No 12 volt option. My wife fills half gallon milk jugs with water and freezes them. She puts one in the fridge and one in the freezer. They keep things cold up to 8 hours.
Thank you for the suggestions, Gail. Have a great day and safe travels!