A good RV refrigerator is a must-have for those who love to travel in their campers, 5th wheels and motorhomes. Choosing one that will be durable, easy to use and affordable is important.
This fridge runs off your cigarette lighter and rests on roller bearing slides for easy access. It also has a keyed lock to keep it secure while in transit.
Size
A refrigerator is one of the most used appliances in an RV, so you want to be sure it’s the right size for your space. You’ll need to consider how much you can fit in it and also make sure you can open the fridge door without hitting anything else.
The Dometic RM 1350S is a great option for larger RVs because it offers a lot of storage capacity with two refrigerator doors and a freezer, as well as an ice maker built in! Plus, it features an automatic locking system so you can rest easy knowing your food is secure when you’re away from the RV and integrated control electronics to dial in the refrigerator’s temperature.
This refrigerator can be powered by either propane gas or a standard electrical connection and switches between the two with ease. It also uses less power than a residential fridge, meaning it can run on just over two BBQ tanks of propane!
Power
Depending on the model, an RV refrigerator may run on a combination of electricity and propane. Electricity, also known as alternating current (AC), is the kind of power you get from a standard outlet at your campground or from a generator.
It takes a lot of energy to start the cooling process in an absorption fridge, but once it begins, the refrigerator runs pretty much the same way regardless of the heat source. That’s why propane is the preferred way to run a camper refrigerator, though some models will use electricity to trigger the process. It’s important to know how much wattage your refrigerator uses so you can plan appropriately for your camping trips, especially if you’re planning to boondock. The user manual will typically have this information. Or, if you don’t have the manual, you can search the manufacturer’s website by serial number to find out the fridge’s wattage requirements. Then, you can determine the best option to meet your needs.
Temperature Control
RV fridges work differently than standard residential refrigerators and have a temperature control system that’s different as well. Most run off either propane or electricity and use absorption or compressor cooling.
It’s important to understand how this works before you try to adjust the temperature. It can be easy to make changes that can be difficult to correct.
Many RV Dometic fridges have a dial that’s marked with numbers from one to five. One is the lowest setting, and five is the coldest. Meat should be stored between 33 and 36 degrees, dairy between 34 and 38, and vegetables between 34 and 40.
To change the temperature on these fridges, you need to move the thermistor clip. It’s common for people to incorrectly move it side to side, but this does nothing to affect the temperature. You need to move it up or down on the same fin. To remember which way is cooler, think of north and south. The higher up the fin, the cooler it will be.
Storage
When RV fridges get stuffed full of all sorts of food it becomes difficult for air to circulate and for your food to stay at its cool temperature. A good way to prevent this is by putting food items in mesh bags and using bins for larger foods. This helps everything fit more easily in your refrigerator and keeps it organized.
Also, be sure to let your food reach room temperature before storing it in the refrigerator. This will help your refrigerator work more efficiently.
Another thing that can make your fridge less efficient is if your RV is not level when it is parked. This can affect the ability of chemicals in the fridge to circulate.
