By Gail Marsh
Most every RVer I know has things they like and don’t like about their rig. For us? It’s the fridge that we don’t particularly care for. It’s not a residential model so I feel like a magician when I attempt to put groceries inside—it’s just so small! An “abracadabra” won’t help enlarge or organize our RV fridge, but there are a few tips that have helped optimize our RV refrigerator usage.
Note: Because there are so many different styles and models of RV refrigerators, it’s impossible to offer meaningful tips that will apply to everyone. That said, most of these should be able to be applied to whatever type of fridge you have in your RV.
Lazy Susan helps organize an RV fridge
One of the things I like to do is experiment with storage products that are commonly used for other applications. The lazy Susan is a good example. I’d always considered this product as a way to better organize cupboards. Turns out, I love having a lazy Susan inside our RV refrigerator. I place all our condiments on it. Not only is it easier to locate a particular item when prepping recipes, but when it’s time for a picnic to begin, I grab the entire lazy Susan tray. All the condiments (ketchup, mustard[s], relish, mayo, horseradish, BBQ sauce, etc.) contained on the lazy Susan go right outside to the picnic table.
Six-pack holder
Before I implemented the lazy Susan idea, we’d store our condiments inside an empty, cardboard six-pack container. I placed our condiments inside each of the cardboard compartments. The carton was just the right size to fit inside one of the fridge door bins. The six-pack was just as easy to grab for a picnic, and it did keep the fridge organized, though a bit harder to see exactly what was inside each section during everyday use.
Drawer dividers
Another hack I use is to place drawer dividers like these inside my RV refrigerator’s drawers. I like that these are plastic for easy cleanup. They are easily customizable, too. I use them inside the RV refrigerator’s drawers to keep fruit and vegetables corralled until needed.
Suction cup wire rack
I originally ordered these wire racks for our shower. Because we only needed one for the shower, I tried the other suction cup wire rack in our refrigerator. It clings securely to the side wall and holds small jars of garlic, lemon, and lime juices. I like not having to scrounge in the back of the fridge to find these easily “lost” smaller items.
Meat bins
After one too many meat “juice” spills, I now use dedicated plastic bins to hold packages of chicken and beef that we purchase at the store. The bin contains meat spills and helps keep the fridge clean until it’s time to grill. Note: Be sure to thoroughly wash the bins after each use to prevent contamination.
Snack bin
When RVing with the grandkids, I always bring along a snack bin. Inside the bin, I place juice boxes, granola bars, fresh fruit, cheese sticks, and other snacks for the children. They know exactly where the bin is in the RV fridge (bottom shelf), and if the picky eater just can’t decide, I can easily remove the entire bin for her closer perusal.
There you have it! Tips to optimizing your RV refrigerator. If you’ve tried other methods or products that work, please share your ideas in the comments.
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To make a little more room in the refrigerator, leave out things that don’t need refrigeration. Condiments, like ketchup, mustard, pickles, olives, hot sauce. Read the container. If it doesn’t say ”refrigerate after opening”, don’t!
Add peanut butter to that list. Also makes it easier to spread.
Do you mean peanut butter like Adams which has to be stirred when first opened?
I checked my fridge, ketchup mustard olives pickles all day to refrigerate after opening. What brand do you use?
What brand do you use? We use Heinz ketchup, Frenches mustard and Del Monte pickles, none of which require refrigeration. However, our peanut butter does require refrigeration after opening. We use the all natural peanut butter from Trader Joes…just peanuts and salt!
I agree. If it doesn’t say “refrigerate after opening”, then it doesn’t need to be. Use your refrigerator space for items that do need to be refrigerated.
A lot of condiments say that even though they don’t need it. Usually “for appearances sake”. Store bought mayonnaise does not require refrigeration. (home made does).
I love smaller plastic baskets! We have one that is the perfect size for cheese sticks and corrals them so they aren’t sliding all over the place. I have two baskets in the freezer that are the right size for meats, hash brown patties, etc in quart sized plastic bags. I divide hamburger or other meat into the amount we use for a meal, put meat in bag, flatten it, label the bag, and stand it upright in the baskets. Easy to see what I have or need!
Doesn’t the lazy Susan kind of waste precious space by putting a round peg into a square hole? That may work in a large double door fridge but not in the normal 8-10 cu ft RV fridge. As someone else said why refrigerate non perishables such as granola bars and condiments?
Thank you, Gail! Where do you put the lazy Susan? If in a corner, what goes into the dead space in the corner itself? Safe travels and continued prayers for Keith’s recovery. 🙏 🙂
Dollar Store for cheap plastic containers!
I’d been looking all over for a beer can container.
found it at the Dollar Store.
RV refrigerators have notoriously poor air circulation. Adding 6 pack holders or lazy susans just makes the situation much worse! We added fans to the cooling fins to circulate the air and it works much better!!! Try to not block the air circulation!!!
As a young 68-year-old Irishmen, I have no idea what or where items are located in the icebox.