Every so often we'll see posts on this forum on the subject of running our refrigerators on propane while traveling. I'm one of those who does that. Many others leave theirs turned off and offer valid reasons for doing so. I came across this statement that was made in a recent edition of the RV Handbook. Paraphrasing what was written, "All Dometic & Norcold absorption refrigerators manufactured since 1995 are engineered to retain an internal temperature of 40 degrees for 8 hours when turned off as long as temperatures inside the RV don't exceed 100 deg."Of course this assumes the door isn't opened during that time and the door seals are in good condition. I thought I'd pass this along...:)

We recently took a 8 hour ferry ride from Nova Scotia to Newfoundland. When you cross you have to turn off your propane so the fridge goes off. We packed about 4 bottles of frozen water in the freezer and 6 in the fridge. After we got off the ferry we checked on the fridge and everything was still perfectly cold and mostly still frozen. (I forgot to turn off the propane on the way back so it really stayed cold - my bad!)

I accidentally turned my fridge off before a 2 hour trip in 70 degree whether. The contents were noticeably warm upon our arrival. They just don't stay cold that long on their own.

ScottG wrote:I accidentally turned my fridge off before a 2 hour trip in 70 degree whether. The contents were noticeably warm upon our arrival. They just don't stay cold that long on their own.That's interesting. Were the seals in good shape? I'm pretty positive mine would stay cold in 70 deg weather after only 2 hours. I'll have to experiment a little during my next trip...I'm gonna check that book again. Maybe I misread something but it was discussing the subject of traveling with the fridge off.

Since there is no such thing as a perfect insulating material, the interior of a refrigerator and freezer will be warmer than their beginning temperatures after some period of time with the cooling system turned off. The amount of temperature rise will be dependent on the length of time, the ambient temperature, the quality of the insulation and the mass of food inside of the refrigerator and freezer. A full refrigerator or freezer will warm up more slowly than one that is nearly empty.Bottles of frozen water in the refrigerator section will melt and help keep that section's temperature lower. Bottles of frozen water in the freezer adds to the mass of cold material, which helps, but less than in the refrigerator. Ice cream will likely melt over an 8 hour period with 100 degree ambient temperatures.

ScottG wrote:I accidentally turned my fridge off before a 2 hour trip in 70 degree whether. The contents were noticeably warm upon our arrival. They just don't stay cold that long on their own.There is something seriously wrong with your frig. The seals are probably failing as any frig that can't hold its cold for a few hours, actually for a lot of hours, is defective. If you keep the door closed and adding a couple of Blue Ice containers helps, can keep everything under 40 degrees for at least 24 hours.We are shopping for a new Class C and I have looked at literally dozens of RV's and guess what? Every one of them has this or a very similar sticker prominently posted, (Take note of the first paragraph):Have you ever seen an RV'er stopped outside of a gas station to turn off the propane before entering the station to fuel??? Neither have I. :S It is a semi free country so folks can pretty much do as they like (and yes I support that), but please DO NOT tell me you "Have" to run the the propane refrigeration to keep things cold because we both know it is simply not true, you have alternatives. Frankly frig flames don't bother me nearly as much as furnaces and water heaters (and this is a whole new thread but lets not go there for now), huge difference in ignition flame sizes but why take the chance with any of them? If you must pull into the gas station with open flames burning (anywhere), please park down at the shallow end of the gene pool (which clearly needs a good shot of chlorine these days), next to the guys refueling metal gas jugs in the back of their pick up while talking on their cell phones and smoking. :B This way, eventually, everybody wins! :B OK, warped humor and rant off.... for now. :C

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mr__ed

Explorer

Jul 30, 2013

Interesting Tidbit Regarding RV Refrigerators

Every so often we'll see posts on this forum on the subject of running our refrigerators on propane while traveling. I'm one of those who does that. Many others leave theirs turned off and offer valid reasons for doing so.

I came across this statement that was made in a recent edition of the RV Handbook. Paraphrasing what was written, "All Dometic & Norcold absorption refrigerators manufactured since 1995 are engineered to retain an internal temperature of 40 degrees for 8 hours when turned off as long as temperatures inside the RV don't exceed 100 deg."

Of course this assumes the door isn't opened during that time and the door seals are in good condition. I thought I'd pass this along...:)

Seeking Advice

22 Replies

ScottG
Nomad
Jul 30, 2013
I accidentally turned my fridge off before a 2 hour trip in 70 degree whether. The contents were noticeably warm upon our arrival.
They just don't stay cold that long on their own.
BigDaddyHfx
Explorer
Jul 30, 2013
We recently took a 8 hour ferry ride from Nova Scotia to Newfoundland. When you cross you have to turn off your propane so the fridge goes off. We packed about 4 bottles of frozen water in the freezer and 6 in the fridge. After we got off the ferry we checked on the fridge and everything was still perfectly cold and mostly still frozen. (I forgot to turn off the propane on the way back so it really stayed cold - my bad!)

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Interesting Tidbit Regarding RV Refrigerators

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