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One of the most important components to any RV has to be the refrigerator. If you are new to RVing and mobile camping, you may be asking yourself how does an RV refrigerator work, and how many different types are there?

So, how does an RV refrigerator work?

Depending on the type, an RV refrigerator can work just like your normal household fridge, running on either 110V or 12V electricity or through an absorption process that cools the inside of your fridge via evaporation.

But what are the different types of RV fridge, and how might they work best in your RV’s setup? Are there any other tips and tricks that you should know about these special appliances before hitting the road? Let’s learn about them now!

Types of RV Refrigerators

Depending on the rig you have and its capabilities, there are a few different types of RV refrigerators. You may have a preferred type, but only after having experience with one type or another. Let’s take a look at those types now.

Propane Refrigerator

One of the most unique and common types of RV refrigeration systems is the propane fridge. Campers and RVs often have this style of fridge available because it is designed to work without power or electricity- all you need is a propane supply!

Equipped with an ignitor and pilot light, propane fridges are capable of cooling down your food and refrigerated goods anywhere your RV is parked. So long as your propane regulator is up to date, you should have no trouble cooling things off.

Propane exclusive RV fridges can struggle with turning on and running properly if your RV isn’t level- this can lead to some confusion for first time RVers and it is important to keep in mind while you are travelling.

Propane camper fridges can also be more expensive than other options, given their truly off-grid capabilities. However, they are easy to set up and use, and can be invaluable if you are an RVer that plans on boondocking frequently.

12V Refrigerator

Another popular RV fridge style? The 12V or battery operated refrigerator. These styles of appliance are valuable for their ability to be used off-grid and disconnected from shore power, just like their propane counterparts.

12V refrigerators often use very little amperage as well, making them the preferred style of fridge for solar power usage. These styles of fridges can also plug into your car’s cigarette lighter, making them a portable option more often than not.

The main issue with 12V fridges is the fear of draining your batteries. This can happen much faster than you think, which is why it is important to always have an RV battery that is made especially for boondocking.

110V Refrigerator

The most traditional fridge, and the style that you might find in your residential home, a 110V refrigerator has a plug and runs off of shore power. You can also run these fridges off of battery power, but only if you have an inverter- not all RVs have these.

However, 110V fridges are easy to procure, and they simply plug in and get to work, so long as your RV is hooked up to shore power. Given that these fridges are standard for home usage, you should always check the required amperage needed to run them before committing.

110V camper fridges also cost significantly less than other fridge options, given the range of sizes and availability. If you have the precise measurements of your rig, you can buy a standard mini fridge and use that in your RV, no problem!

Two or Three Way Refrigerators

RVers always love options, and why should you choose just one of these types of fridge? A common appliance found in RVs is the two or three way refrigerator, capable of running off of multiple power or fuel sources.

These fridges are exactly what they sound like: a combination of the above fuel types. You can change between the types with a simple dial or flip of a switch. Some RV fridges are even all three options in one, though this is becoming less popular nowadays. 

Most RVers only need shore power and one off-grid option, but you could get lucky and have 3 choices. No matter what, having a fridge in your RV is a step above an ice chest or cooler, especially for grilling on your new RV propane grill!

Popular RV Refrigerator Brands

Whether you are purchasing a brand new RV for the first time or installing your desired fridge into an older RV model, choosing an RV fridge with a brand name to back it up is always a good idea.

Installing a fridge into your new travel trailer for solo adventures or perhaps replacing your vintage and broken RV fridge is possible, but what brands might be best so that you know that you are making an informed purchase?

There are many popular names in the RV game, both for fridges and other appliances. If you are keeping an eye out for RV-specific fridges (rather than more traditional compression options that can be used in homes), you may have more limited options.

Some of the most popular RV brands of refrigerators include:

• Dometic. Dometic is known by almost any RVer, new and old. It is a company that has been around since 1922, and took off once they fully understood how to utilize absorption cooling. This makes them the best of the best in terms of RV appliances, and this doesn’t just apply to refrigerators. Dometic makes many RV appliances, and you will be remiss if you don’t purchase a Dometic air conditioner for your RV.
• Norcold. If you are looking for an RV specific brand of fridge, Norcold is another option for you to consider. They make a wide variety of fridges in all sorts of shapes and sizes, from residential sized freezer fridge combos to portable fridges capable of being wheeled around. This brand is a division of Thetford, another name in the RV game that you can’t help but learn about the longer you RV!

There are many other brands of fridges that can work in your RV, from portable fridges to 110V options. I recommend searching on Amazon for some options and reading reviews. 

Many RV-branded or motorhome specific products can get expensive quickly. You may be able to find certain less expensive or budget friendly options elsewhere, though these two brands are well-known for their reliability.

FAQ for How Does an RV Refrigerator Work

Still have questions about how your RV or camper fridge works, including some insider tips and tricks? Let’s take a look at some important facts now, before you get too ahead of yourself!

How Does an Absorption Refrigerator Work?

Getting into the nitty gritty of how RV fridges work, how might an absorption fridge work, and what can you expect from this style of RV fridge? Let’s take a look.

Absorption fridges work in a very specific way, different from a traditional 110V fridge; if you have this style in your RV, it is a simple freon and compression system that may use up more amps than you expect it to or want it to; learn more about your RV’s power here!

Absorption fridges work by heating up certain elements and chemicals in your fridge. Once activated, these chemicals cool the inside of your fridge by evaporating whatever heat remains inside. Sounds like magic, but it’s actually science!

If these fridges have an ice box inside, the elements cool down this section of the fridge faster than the rest of it. The propane or battery power works to heat up these elements, and the rest is cool air for the duration of your trip.

 It may sound complicated, but these fridges are unique in their off-grid capabilities. They run on far fewer amps than other appliances, which can be extremely useful for dry camping. Just make sure you have a reliable converter for when you hook up your RV to shore power!

How Does a Propane Refrigerator Work?

A propane fridge is often an absorption style of camper fridge, meaning it heats up chemicals and base elements that are capable of absorbing heat. Propane is a useful fuel source for heating up these chemicals- namely water, liquid ammonia, and hydrogen gas.

A propane fridge will require you to light the pilot light, though it will often have an included igniter so it is easy to do this. Once the pilot light is on, you simply set your desired fridge temperature and let the cooling happen!

However, propane fridges have one very specific need that many RVers may be surprised by: these appliances need your rig to be completely level in order to function properly. Let’s talk more about that now.

Does an RV Fridge Have to be Level In Order to Work?

An RV or camper fridge does not necessarily need to be level in order to work, unless it is an absorption fridge. If you are using a more traditional compressor fridge, this is not something that you need to worry about.

However, absorption fridges can struggle with cooling your food properly if you are parked on an unlevel surface- this is why updating your jack stand or stabilizers could be a good idea before you hit the road in your new RV.

If you get all set up at camp and find that your fridge isn’t cooling properly, you may need to adjust your rig for levelness. You usually don’t need to be perfectly level in order to get your fridge to work, but it certainly helps.

There are portable or 12V fridge options that advertise their ability to run on an angle- sometimes up to 40 degrees! These types of fridges can be valuable if you know you are installing them in a tricky spot or aren’t worried about your rig being level.

However, running or attempting to run your absorption fridge on an angle or unlevel surface can even damage the cooling elements and delicate machinery found within your appliance. Take the extra time to get level- your fridge will thank you!

Can I Power My RV Fridge with Solar Panels?

You can power your RV fridge with solar panels! While owning a 12V RV fridge makes this process smoother, owning a 110V fridge with a reliable inverter and multiple batteries can work as well. You cannot run a propane-exclusive fridge on solar power, however.

Fridges can range in the amount of amps they need to both start up and stay cool. You should always budget your amps for the amount needed upon start up, because this number is usually much higher than the running amount.

Figuring out just how many solar panels you need to run your RV fridge can be tricky. It will take some math, especially if you think you are getting close to the maximum amount of amps that your solar panels can handle.

I recommend purchasing a multimeter and testing it out on your RV fridge while it is running. This way, you can ascertain the exact amount of amps you need to keep your food cold without overloading your solar system!

How Much Does an RV Refrigerator Cost?

The cost of a new RV fridge will depend on many things: the brand, the size, and the various power sources you want it to use. If you want a large three way fridge made by Norcold, you are potentially looking at spending over $2000.

However, the average cost for many RVers shopping for a new camper fridge ranges from $400-1000, again, depending on size and capabilities. Many portable fridge options are budget friendly, closer to $200, and can be taken anywhere.

Keep in mind that the size of your fridge matters, especially if you are travelling with a large group or a family of five. You may want to get a larger fridge if you expect to travel with many guests or for a longer trip and don’t want to restock.

Many RVs only have a certain amount of space dedicated to the fridge. While having a large two door fridge and freezer combo may sound like a dream, it won’t matter that you have the budget for it if you can’t fit it inside your rig!

Are There RV Freezers?

Some RV fridges have freezer capabilities, including portable or 12V fridges. These freezers can be found as small ice boxes within the fridge, or larger freezer sections with their own door on the outside of the fridge.

These freezers will be small, but they can be invaluable to many RVers, especially those of you that plan on living full time in one. The freezers get cold the same way as the rest of the fridge, but they will be set at a cooler temperature and often have better insulation.

Looking for an entire separate freezer unit to keep inside of your RV can be tricky. These freezers are often large, unyielding, and expensive- plus they can use up a lot of amps, making them tricky for RV living.

However, when in doubt about your amperage and battery power usage, you can always purchase a reliable RV generator. These tools are perfect for any RVer who might be concerned about having enough power- they are perfect for emergencies too!

Final Thoughts

Knowing how your RV or camper fridge works is important for any RVer to learn. Not only will you better understand the different types available to you, you can learn how to troubleshoot and even repair these appliances for yourself!

Do you have a preferred fridge type or brand that works well in your RV? Have you experienced the woes of an unlevel trailer damaging your fridge? Let us know in the comments!