One of the most important parts of any RV is your fridge. It’s the place where you keep your food and drink and where you can cook as well. So it’s important to find the right rv fridge for your needs and budget.
Absorption refrigerators are popular with RVers because they use very little fuel and can run on propane only. These types of fridges work by vaporizing a mixture of water and ammonia, then releasing that cold ammonia into the refrigerator to cool it down. This process takes time and it’s also not as efficient when it’s hot outside.
Propane consumption will vary between different brands and models, but generally you can expect an absorption fridge to consume about 1-lb of propane a day. That’s just over two standard BBQ tanks worth of propane. This makes them great for boondocking.
Compressor refrigerators are more common and they’re more efficient than absorption refrigerators, but they can be more expensive upfront. They can run on either alternating or direct current, so if you’re using DC, you’ll need an inverter.
Regardless of what type of fridge you’re considering, make sure you have plenty of space for it in your RV and that the fridge doors will stay closed when traveling on the road. It’s also a good idea to add a fridge fan to help air circulate more effectively and cool your food down faster.
Some RVers decide to upgrade their fridges and switch to residential-style units. These are often larger and more expensive but they can provide more storage and capacity. And they can operate on a heavy-duty battery bank, which is ideal for those who frequently boondock or camp overnight at Walmarts.