What would we do without it? The RV’s refrigerator plays an essential role in our camping experience. I need cold milk for breakfast, a refreshing iced tea for lunch and, well, then there’s “beer-thirty,” right? At least three times each day we depend on our RV refrigerator to cool our food and drinks. So here are some important RV refrigerator tips I’d like to share with you.
Pre-cooled is best
We’ve made it a habit before hitting the road to always pre-cool our RV’s refrigerator for at least 12 hours. We also make sure that anything and everything we put into our fridge is already cold. That way, the fridge doesn’t have to work so hard cooling its interior in addition to the contents.
RV fridge thermometers
A thermometer will help you know that your RV refrigerator is cooling properly. I love our wireless, digital fridge thermometer. We place one thermometer sensor in the freezer section and the other sensor in the refrigerator. These wireless sensors send readings to the monitor which we keep on the front of the refrigerator via a magnet. The thermometer allows us to set our preferred temperatures (freezer–0 degrees F; refrigerator–35 degrees F) and the built-in alarm sounds if the temperatures inside our fridge fluctuate.
Pack the fridge smartly
Arrange refrigerator items carefully. Here are some great hints:
- Remove items from their bulky packaging to save space and allow for better ventilation.
- Place smaller items on top shelves to allow cooled air to circulate to the lower shelves more easily.
- Keep raw meats on lower shelves to prevent cross-contamination if they drip.
- Minimize the number of items you put in your RV fridge. Consider that many condiments need no refrigeration, like hot sauce and soy sauce. Read the product label to find this information.
- Invest in square storage containers for leftovers. Many of these can stack and square containers save space, too! And speaking of leftovers, plan meals so you’ll have fewer leftovers. Or plan to freeze abundant leftovers to enjoy at a later time.
- Do not overpack your RV refrigerator. Allow extra space between items, especially at the end of each shelf, so that cooled air can circulate throughout the unit.
Check vents
Inspect and clean your refrigerator’s exterior vents frequently. Dust, debris, and even insects can quickly clog these vents and impede the refrigerator’s cooling performance. Follow your RV’s maintenance recommendations to keep your fridge in tip-top shape. We installed these screens over our exterior fridge vents to prevent wasps from nesting inside.
Defrost and fan
Defrost the freezer compartment regularly to prevent ice buildup. Also, check the refrigerator fins for ice. An RV refrigerator fan like this one may help prevent ice from forming on the fins. In addition, a fan will help increase the air circulation inside your RV refrigerator and help prevent warm and cold spots throughout your unit. As an alternative, there are also 12-volt, DC fans that can be wired directly into your refrigerator.
Inspect seals
Check the seals on your refrigerator doors for wear and tear. Place a dollar bill part-way into the fridge door at various points all around the seal. With the door closed on the bill, tug on the paper currency. If the dollar bill falls right out or gives very little resistance to your tug, you probably will need to replace the seal. Damaged seals can lead to cold air leaks, so you should replace seals when necessary.
Following these tips will help ensure your RV refrigerator keeps your food cold and safe throughout your adventures. Can you add some fridge tips to this list? Please do so in the comments!
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12vdc refrigerator fan – More work to install, but very much worth it if you are a full time or seasonal RVer. The cost of batteries will justify the up front cost several times over.
Our 1st Texas winter (and not on the humid coast!), we had to defrost the refrigerator fins twice (and should have done it more often). We installed a 12vdc fan that clipped to the fins the 2nd winter. Have not had to defrost the frig yet during our season. What little ice develops during more humid times is easily removed with a plastic spatula before a defrost is needed.
A clip on 12v fan? Can you please send a link to what you are referring to?
That thermal temperature gun you carry for other reasons is what health inspectors check temperatures in restaurants & other places selling/serving food. Always good to get a second opinion.
All very good advice. I would add keeping the refrigerator level while parked and running is prudent as well. Also, we insert an assortment of frozen ice packs around the frig to assist in that initial cool down. And, if space allows, we keep some packs with us while pulling to keep that cool until we are parked and level again.
Our MH has a 12v fridge that requires no more “maintenance” than our 120vac fridge at home. We level the RV in order to sleep comfortably, not for the fridge. We love it! We have camped for 3 summer/early fall days in the Rockies using only solar to power the fridge, lights, HWH, 3 vent fans, and water pump–no generator use at all! Our 3 year-old generator still has only 20 hours of run time and most of those are to exercise it when stored. We will never go back to a propane/120vac fridge.
Thank you, Gail. We use bins similar to those you mention to move things between our home refrigerator and our RV (or the reverse), in addition to helping organize both refrigerators. Thank you for the dollar-bill-seal test. I’ll try to remember that going forward.
If you have a Norcold two-door fridge…. here’s what to check that resolved the bulk of our high temp issues. The left door has a flap. When it closes, the flap pivots a full 90°. If you open the RIGHT door, and that (left door) flap is NOT flat, you’re leaking air. Some people put a washer to lift the door a bit (the flap drags the floor of the fridge). In our case, we removed the screws where it connects to the door. This allows it to move up and down ever so slightly while still “hanging” on it’s funny little mounts. Was about 49°F overnight. I checked the thermometers this morning… we made it down to 35° in the fridge and 15° in the freezer! Way cheaper than replacing it!