Insulation around fridge

[Katdaddy]

My fridge died recently. I have a new one coming and I am looking for suggestions for insulation around the fridge for the new installation. As you might expect, the insulation job from the factory was less than optimal. Looking for any ideas from those who have replaced their fridges as to what you used.
As always, thanks for your help.

[ajriding]

My freezer always works on hottest days, 112 last summer, but the fridge box gets over 38 where food can spoil. That is why it needs to be insulated, but only the left, right, top and bottom can be insulated.
My fridge is a manual adjust, so no temp control setting. Always adjusting .

[Katdaddy]

ScottG wrote:
While you have the fridge out, look up a tthe vent in the ceiling. If it's just a rectangular hole in an otherwise flat ceiling then your missing out. The effect of fixing it will be greater than insulating because with better flow, it wont have to run as much.
But it's up to you.

Good luck.

It is a rectangular opening above the fridge. How did you modify this for better performance?

[profdant139]

You might find these posts useful:

Fridge insulation

If you have a lot of dead space above the fridge, this may be of interest:

Storage in dead space above fridge

[Old-Biscuit]

Dometic RM2652/2852 Installation Manual

Check out 'Clearances' and 'Ventilation' sections

[Clay_Smith]

While I had my refrigerator out to replace it's cooling unit, I cleaned out the old insulation that was falling from the sides of the cabinet. Then I purchased a water heater fiberglass insulation blanket that measured 48" by 84". I cut the plastic lined insulation right down the middle so I had 2 pieces 24" wide to fit the sides of the cabinet. When I then cut these 2 pieces for the higt of the cabinet, I ended up with 2 pieces that was able to be fitted across the top of the refrigerator. Having the plastic lined insulation made it much easier to slide the refrigerator into place without it catching on the insulation.

[ScottG]

While you have the fridge out, look up a tthe vent in the ceiling. If it's just a rectangular hole in an otherwise flat ceiling then your missing out. The effect of fixing it will be greater than insulating because with better flow, it wont have to run as much.
But it's up to you.

Good luck.

[Katdaddy]

ScottG wrote:
I've used 1" bat insulation from Home Depot in the past. If you don't have that much room you could use 1/2" rigid foam insulation.
You might also check the installation manual for clearances and how to shape a chimney flue. Doing all of these things makes a huge difference in how the fridge performs, especially in hot weather.

I just spent two days doing all of that on the new TT as I had done to the last one.
A good winter project!

I'm going to have to say the chimney works just fine as is. We have lots of hot days in south Mississippi and never had any problems with the fridge holding temps. And, the insulation was missing in several areas on the original install from the factory. I was just wondering if the bat insulation or foam boards were any better.

[ScottG]

A lot of times there's a large cavity of open space between the top of the firdge and the ceiling. I fill that area with insulation as well.

[SidecarFlip]

1" unfaced bat insulation here as well. Lay it in and set the fridge and stuff in some more from the backside, across the top and bottom. More the merrier. Wear gloves and a face mask.

[ScottG]

I've used 1" bat insulation from Home Depot in the past. If you don't have that much room you could use 1/2" rigid foam insulation.
You might also check the installation manual for clearances and how to shape a chimney flue. Doing all of these things makes a huge difference in how the fridge performs, especially in hot weather.

I just spent two days doing all of that on the new TT as I had done to the last one.
A good winter project!