A refrigerator is one of the most essential appliances in an RV. It keeps food cold, preserves freshness, and makes cooking on the road easier. If you’re shopping for a new RV fridge, there are several options to consider, including absorption, compressor, and residential models. This article will help you understand the differences between these models and find which type is right for your needs.
Absorption RV Refrigerators
This refrigerator is perfect for RVers with tight spaces. It has a slim, compact design that’s perfect for cab-over campers and trucks. It also has a door that swings open to make it easy to access your food and beverages. This fridge uses a hermetically sealed compressor and has integrated control electronics to adjust the internal temperature. This model is also designed with CFC-free insulation foam to keep your food and drinks colder longer and reduce energy consumption.
When you’re on the road, it’s important to precool your RV refrigerator before storing foods and beverages in it. This will prevent the fridge from using up too much propane to cool down, saving you money and reducing the amount of gas it consumes while on the road. If you can’t precool the fridge before a trip, try to store your food and drink in plastic containers and use ice packs instead of putting them in the fridge.
If your RV fridge isn’t working properly, check to see if the absorber is hot or the boiler is leaking. If you smell ammonia or notice yellow residue on the back of the refrigerator, this could indicate a problem with the refrigerant system. A leak in the refrigerant system will cause your fridge to work harder, increasing your electricity bills and causing your food to spoil faster.
Another option for RVers looking to add extra cooling capacity is a portable electric cooler. These are great for short trips, but they don’t keep food cold for as long as a fridge. They’re also expensive and require more frequent ice refills than refrigerators.
If you’re planning to upgrade your RV fridge, you’ll want to take careful measurements before ordering a new model. This is especially true if you’re replacing an existing RV fridge, as you may need to remove cabinetry and modify the space in order to fit your new fridge. Changing out an RV fridge is a big investment, so you’ll want to be sure the new fridge will be a good fit. Fortunately, most manufacturers offer detailed size and layout information for each of their products online.