The fridge is one of the most important appliances in your RV. Make sure to run it regularly and periodically check for clogs and noises.
Chest-style refrigerators are easier to incorporate into a campervan build, but upright fridges are also an option. Upright fridges require a certain amount of overhead clearance to open, but they can be more flexible in terms of positioning.
Chest fridges
Chest fridges are great for long-term food storage. You can stock up on fresh veggies and meats while they’re at their best and save money by avoiding frequent grocery shopping trips. They also make it easy to freeze batch-cooked meals or leftovers so they stay fresh for longer.
They also consume less energy than upright fridges because they’re more efficient at cooling the interior space. When filled, the frozen items act as insulation to reduce the workload on the cooling system. It’s important to keep your freezer reasonably full to optimize energy efficiency.
Dometic’s CFX3 45 is a great choice for RVers who want to spend extended periods of time off-grid. Its dual compartments have separate temperature controls, so you can store food and drinks at different temps. Plus, it’s super quiet and works with your solar setup. And, if you have the CFX3 app, it lets you control and monitor performance remotely.
Upright fridges
Aside from a few extra features, these fridges work very similar to those in your home. They keep food cold or frozen, and can operate on a variety of power sources when you’re stationary at your campsite or driving down the road.
The downside is that upright fridges can’t be stuffed as full as chest style ones. They also tend to use more power when operating, especially if they’re at high altitudes.
If you’re shopping for a used RV fridge, make sure it’s in good working condition. Check the seals and be sure they’re intact, and that there are no holes or rust spots. It’s a good idea to also test the refrigerator to see if it’s functioning properly, and if not, what the cause might be. This can be done by observing the fridge for an ammonia smell, hearing a gurgling sound or seeing if there’s any yellow-green powder around the coils inside the lower access door compartment area.
12V compressor fridges
Designed for the overlanding and camping crowd, these fridges use an absorption refrigeration system that cools your food and drinks using pressurized refrigerant. That pressurized refrigerant gets heated by a small propane flame or an electrical heating element that runs on household DC current (120V).
These types of refrigerators typically don’t require any ventilation and they work well in off-grid situations where energy efficiency is key (to save on battery power for solar and other appliances). These fridges usually draw about half as much energy as high end models, and some brands and models are more efficient than others.
Alpicool fridges, for example, use LG compressors that perform almost as well as the Danfoss SECOP fridges used by many higher-end 12V fridges but cost about half as much. This makes them a good value for budget-conscious van lifers.
Portable fridges
If you’re camping or glamping, there’s nothing better than fresh food and ice-cold drinks. A true portable refrigerator will allow you to bring along a full meal, steaks on the grill and plenty of beverages without having to go out to buy food and drink.
Look for add-on features like carry handles, wheels and cup holders to improve portability. Choose from different sizes depending on your needs, with smaller options perfect for a couples weekend getaway or bigger models that can hold enough for a whole family trip away. If you’re looking for a battery-powered option, make sure to check the power consumption and charging methods. You don’t want to over-charge your car battery and get stuck out in the middle of nowhere with a fridge full of rotten food! A fridge that uses a solar charger like EcoFlow’s GLACIER is great, as it will give you longer run times and extra solar charging capacity.camper refrigerator