Welcome back to another edition of Todd's Two Minute Tech Tip Tuesday, brought to you by the National RV Training Academy—the largest hands-on RV training academy in America! Today, we’re diving into the top seven tips for keeping your absorption-style RV refrigerator in top shape.
Tip #1: Keep Your Refrigerator Level
You’ve likely heard that it’s important to keep your RV refrigerator level, but do you know why? It’s all about the coils in the back of your fridge. These coils contain ammonia and water, and to prevent corrosion, they’re coated with a substance called sodium chromate. This sodium chromate must flow evenly over the coils during cooling. If your RV isn’t level, this flow is disrupted, causing crystallization that can eventually block the coils, leading to a breakdown. When you're parked, make sure your RV is level to keep things running smoothly, but don’t worry while traveling—shaking during movement doesn’t harm the refrigerator.
Tip #2: Maintain Your Seals
Every refrigerator has seals, and it’s crucial to keep them intact to prevent warm, moist air from entering. If your seals lose their tightness over time, you’ll end up with condensation and poor cooling. Once a month, clean both the seals and the contact areas to ensure they remain dust- and tack-free. A good seal means your fridge will stay cooler, longer.
Tip #3: Pre-Chill Your Food
With absorption-style refrigerators, warm food takes much longer to cool, sometimes up to 12 hours. To avoid spoilage, always pre-chill your food before loading it into the fridge. And as for leftovers? Todd has a fun tip: “If you’re putting in leftovers, you're a quitter! Either finish the meal or don’t make so much in the first place!” Adding hot leftovers can increase the temperature of your other items, so it's best to let them cool before storing them in the fridge.
Tip #4: Defrost Regularly
Opening your freezer lets in warm, moist air, which results in frost buildup. Frost insulates the coils, making it harder for the freezer to pull out heat from your food. To avoid this, defrost regularly and try not to open the door unless you know exactly what you need. A quick trick? You can use a thin plastic surface or even Saran Wrap on the back of the freezer to make defrosting easier.
Tip #5: Don’t Overpack
While it’s tempting to pack your fridge full, overloading it can block airflow and prevent proper cooling. Leave at least an inch or two of space between your food and the back wall to allow warm air to rise and reach the cooling coils. On travel days, having a well-packed fridge helps maintain the internal temperature longer.
Tip #6: Check the Drain Tube
Your fridge has a condensate drain tube that allows moisture to escape. If the tube becomes compromised—either cracked or uncapped—warm air can enter the fridge, leading to condensation and sweaty food. To prevent this, inspect the drain tube regularly and make sure the cap is secure.
Tip #7: Clean the Exhaust Vents
The final tip is all about airflow. Your fridge relies on airflow to remove heat from the coils. Warm air enters through the bottom and exits through the exhaust vents. If the vents are blocked, especially in hot weather, your refrigerator won’t perform well. Keep these vents clear to ensure the proper removal of heat, especially in the summer months when temperatures rise above 85°F.