Ok Folks I have a question with regards to propane fridge operation, Recent trip up to the Tetons and waited to light my fridge until I got there, It took about 12 hours to get cool, Is this a normal amount of time? After a couple days I turned it down to max cool and it seemed to perform ok, However when we left to come home I forgot to turn it off and after the 500 mile ride home it seemed that the fridge was actually colder than ever, Is this because of the vacuum created by the hiway speed drawing the flame up higher? If so what can I do to adjust the flame height to get a more effective cooling cycle faster? I appreciate your responses.

Yes, that's a normal amount of time.FWIW, they are designed to stay on 24/7 and while going down the road. Mine has been on 7 mos of every years since 2003 and so far I have staved off Armageddon. ;)

Not sure the flame was higher, but running down the road will draw the heat out the vent on top and sometimes make them more efficient.

Yep - I fire mine up 2 days in advance of heading out and I put an outdoor thermometer in it and monitor the indoor display to make sure it is cooling. If all goes well, I load it with cold food the day before we pull out and then I can cut the gas off when we leave so I don't have to think about it when I fuel up, etc.

Normal. You know what to do next time. BTW you saved no significant propane.

Propane fridge operation | Good Sam Community

ScottG
Nomad
Jul 28, 2016
Yes, that's a normal amount of time.
FWIW, they are designed to stay on 24/7 and while going down the road. Mine has been on 7 mos of every years since 2003 and so far I have staved off Armageddon. ;)
Wheelholder
Explorer
Jul 28, 2016
Not sure the flame was higher, but running down the road will draw the heat out the vent on top and sometimes make them more efficient.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Jul 28, 2016
Definitely normal.
rjf7g
Explorer
Jul 28, 2016
Yep - I fire mine up 2 days in advance of heading out and I put an outdoor thermometer in it and monitor the indoor display to make sure it is cooling. If all goes well, I load it with cold food the day before we pull out and then I can cut the gas off when we leave so I don't have to think about it when I fuel up, etc.
time2roll
Nomad
Jul 28, 2016
Normal. You know what to do next time. BTW you saved no significant propane.
naturist
Nomad
Jul 28, 2016
Agree, normal. In fact, 12 hours to cool down is pretty quick. I always fire ours up the day before we plan to put food in it.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jul 28, 2016
Bearsfanatic85 wrote:
Ok Folks I have a question with regards to propane fridge operation, Recent trip up to the Tetons and waited to light my fridge until I got there, It took about 12 hours to get cool, Is this a normal amount of time?.

Actually.. A bit faster than many.. Yes 12 hours is good, Some take up to 24.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Jul 28, 2016
Normal, if you read the manual it may say it takes up to 24 hours to cool.
TxGearhead
Explorer II
Jul 28, 2016
I turn it on 2-3 days, maybe a week, ahead of time. I put a few bottles of frozen drinking water in the freezer section. Also put one of those little blue "D" cell battery powered fans on the bottom shelf to help circulate.
Try to put cool or already frozen items in it. Loading it up with warm food and expecting it to cool and freeze food usually don't work too good.
BCSierra
Explorer
Jul 28, 2016
Add a stainless pot full of ice cubes to give a bit of help to the unit if it's struggling in really warm weather or just loaded with a bunch of warm drinks etc.