This Dometic refrigerator is designed to handle bumps on the road and features hinge locks to keep doors shut during travel. It also runs on both electricity and propane.
Its heavy weight means that you’ll need to make sure your RV can support it. One grouse among buyers is that it doesn’t include door panels.
Size
It can be tricky to choose the best refrigerator for RVs, especially if you’re looking for a refrigerator that’s lightweight and easy to use. But don’t let that discourage you from doing your research. There are many great choices available on the market.
RV refrigerators are usually insulated boxes that work on gas or electricity. They are usually based on absorption refrigeration, which uses heat to convert water, liquefied ammonia, and hydrogen gas into cooling refrigerant. This type of fridge is more prone to ammonia leaks, which may require professional repairs.
The most popular RV refrigerator is the Dometic fridge, which is a gas/electric model that’s designed specifically for recreational vehicles. Its features include interior lighting, a light in the freezer, and an auto-defrost option. This model can be powered by either propane or electricity and is very quiet. It also has a removable door that can be set on either side of the fridge.
Style
RV refrigerators come in a wide variety of styles. For example, some are designed with reversible doors and freezers while others are purely electric. The choice depends on how much space you have, what features you want, and your budget.
RV fridges can take a lot of abuse on the road, especially when they’re used in high altitudes. Keeping food on the shelves instead of in bins can help them cool better and use less energy. You can also install a refrigerator fan to keep the air moving properly inside the fridge.
If your fridge doesn’t cool, check the fuses in the circuit board. If it still doesn’t work, it may be a simple issue like a burned-out heating element. A qualified technician should be able to diagnose the problem and fix it for you.
Power
RV refrigerators rely on heat and a mix of gases (hydrogen, ammonia, and water) to function. The chemicals are heated by either electricity or LP gas and the cold vapor then flows through the cooling coils in your fridge compartment. Most models also feature an automatic functionality that switches to LP gas in the event of a power outage.
RV fridges are designed specifically for use in RVs, which are often boondocking or traveling long distances away from traditional campgrounds. These units can withstand the bumps, shakes, and rattles of the road more than residential refrigerators can.
Most used RV refrigerators run off a 12-volt system, which draws power from your rig’s battery. This may not be ideal for those who want to travel off the grid or avoid running down their RV batteries. But for those who do have access to alternative energy, some manufacturers offer RV fridges that can be powered by a generator or solar panels.
Storage
Residential fridges don’t work well in RVs because they’re designed for use inside homes, not on the road. All the bouncing and shaking can take a toll on these refrigerators, shortening their lifespan. If you plan on RV camping off the grid, consider using a portable compressor fridge with an inverter to supply 120-volt power.
The absorption refrigerators in most RVs operate by heating a mixture of water, liquefied ammonia, and hydrogen gas to transfer heat into the cooling coils. The vapor then flows through the freezer, reducing its temperature and cooling it. If you smell ammonia or notice yellow residue on the back of the freezer, it’s likely that the absorber has leaked and needs replacement.
To avoid this problem, store foods in tightly sealed containers. This will keep the odors out of your fridge and prevent the food from going bad prematurely, which could mean money down the drain. These containers can be easily purchased at home improvement stores and online retailers.refurbished rv refrigerators