Cheap Refrigerator question

Bob E. wrote:

Maybe it wasn't adjusted properly or something, and maybe that's why it failed after just 10 years (a tube carrying the ammonia cracked). But it was never really cold inside, especially when hot outside, even when new. We were new to RV's so we just figured they didn't work as good as the fridge in your house. We even kept cans of pop, water, and beer in a separate cooler on ice just so it was colder and we weren't opening the fridge as often. By the end of the week, I was always worried about the milk going sour.

Same experience with my 6-something cf Norcold. Barely 40 in fridge, 4 in freezer, temps at the door were much warmer. In hot weather it starts cycling immediately after you open the door, probably because it's so shallow inside from front to back. It means that half the time (in daytime) the temps inside are hotter than 4 and 40.

6 cf might be enough for 2 people for a week if they don't cook much. I don't use ready or semi-ready meals from stores, but cook for 2-3 days at once, fill big salad bowl for 2 days, and can barely fit a couple of mid-size pots and assorted separate items, and this is for one person. Freezer is big enough, bigger than I need.

Reliability issues of LP fridges are a bit exaggerated. I wouldn't be surprised if mine would work for more than 10 years, though I'm not moving the rig around often. The need to be on hookups or daily generator run is something to keep in mind, with residential fridges. To me, this would be more than just a "slight inconvenience". It would restrict my freedom of movement and the right to "quiet enjoyment" of my wheeled house :) - as they call it in real estate and tenancy law. Lifestyles differ, though.