When you are out on the open road in your RV, having a working fridge is key. Many RV fridges use propane gas to keep your food and drinks cold. So, how much propane does an RV fridge use? An average RV fridge gas usage is about 0.4 to 1.5 pounds of propane per day when operating on propane. This propane consumption RV refrigerator can change a lot based on different things. We will look at the average propane use RV fridge and what makes it go up or down.
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Grasping Your RV Fridge’s Propane Needs
Most RV fridges that use propane are called absorption fridges. They work differently than the fridge in your house. Instead of a motor and compressor, they use heat to create a cooling effect. This heat often comes from burning propane.
There are also RVs with residential-style fridges. These only run on electricity, usually from shore power, a generator, or batteries with an inverter. But many people who camp without electric hookups rely on their absorption fridge running on gas. This guide is mostly about these fridges and their RV absorption refrigerator propane use.
How an Absorption Fridge Works Simply
An absorption fridge uses a mix of water, ammonia, and hydrogen. When you turn it on with propane, a small flame heats a special part. This heat starts a process that moves the ammonia through pipes. As the ammonia moves, it takes heat from inside the fridge box, making it cold. Then it goes back to where it started to repeat the cycle.
It’s a clever system with no moving parts that make noise. But it does use fuel – propane. Propane consumption RV refrigerator is key for how long you can stay off-grid.
Factors That Affect RV Fridge Propane Usage
Many things can change how much RV fridge gas usage you see. Thinking about these Factors affecting RV fridge propane usage can help you use less gas.
Outside Temperature
This is a big one. If it is very hot outside, your fridge has to work much harder to keep the inside cold. The cooling system runs more often and burns more propane. On cool days, it uses much less.
- Hot days: More propane used.
- Cool days: Less propane used.
Inside Temperature Setting
The knob or control inside your fridge lets you pick how cold you want it. A colder setting means the fridge runs more to get down to that temperature and stay there. If you set it to a colder level than you need, you will use more propane. Setting it just cold enough to keep food safe saves gas.
- Set very cold: High
propane consumption RV refrigerator. - Set just cold enough: Lower
propane consumption RV refrigerator.
How Often You Open the Door
Every time you open the fridge door, warm air from outside gets in. The cold air inside falls out. The fridge then has to work to cool that new warm air down. Opening the door a lot, or leaving it open while you look for something, uses more propane.
- Open door a lot: Uses more gas.
- Open door quickly and less often: Saves gas.
How Full the Fridge Is
A fridge that is mostly full of cold food and drinks stays cold better. The cold items help keep the temperature steady. An empty or mostly empty fridge lets the cold air escape more easily when the door opens.
- Full fridge: Stays cold longer, uses less propane over time.
- Empty fridge: Loses cold fast, uses more propane.
Putting warm food or drinks into the fridge also makes it work harder to cool them down. Try to cool things before putting them in if you can.
Ventilation Around the Fridge
Absorption fridges need good airflow around the back where the cooling unit is. This area is usually vented to the outside through vents on the side of the RV or on the roof. If these vents are blocked by dirt, leaves, or anything else, the heat cannot escape well. This makes the fridge work harder and use more propane.
- Good airflow: Efficient cooling, less
RV fridge gas usage. - Bad airflow: Fridge works harder, more
RV fridge gas usage.
Make sure the outside vents are clean. Also, check that nothing inside the RV is blocking the upper vent from the inside.
Condition of the Fridge
The fridge itself needs to be in good shape to work well.
* Door seals: If the rubber seals around the door are old or dirty, they might not make a tight seal. Cold air can leak out, and warm air can get in. This makes the fridge run more. Check seals often and clean them.
* Cooling unit: If the cooling unit starts to fail, the fridge won’t cool as well or will use more energy (propane or electric) trying to reach the set temperature. Poor performance often means higher propane consumption RV refrigerator.
Fridge Size and Model
A bigger fridge needs more energy to cool a larger space. So, a large RV fridge will generally use more propane than a small one. Different brands and models (like Dometic RV fridge propane consumption vs. Norcold RV fridge propane usage) can also have slight differences in efficiency, although absorption fridge designs are quite similar overall.
- Larger fridge: More
RV fridge gas usage. - Smaller fridge: Less
RV fridge gas usage.
Typical Propane Usage Per Day
Giving an exact number for Propane usage per day RV fridge is hard because of all the factors above. But we can give a general idea.
- A small RV fridge (like in a pop-up camper or small travel trailer) might use about 0.4 to 0.8 pounds of propane per day in moderate weather.
- A medium-sized fridge (common in many travel trailers and smaller fifth wheels) might use 0.8 to 1.2 pounds per day.
- A large RV fridge (in bigger fifth wheels and motorhomes) might use 1.0 to 1.5 pounds or more per day, especially in hot weather.
Remember, these are just guesses. Your actual usage could be higher or lower.
Let’s look at this in gallons, as propane is often measured this way at the pump. One gallon of propane weighs about 4.2 pounds.
- Small fridge: About 0.1 to 0.2 gallons per day.
- Medium fridge: About 0.2 to 0.3 gallons per day.
- Large fridge: About 0.24 to 0.36 gallons per day.
These numbers show that the average propane use RV fridge is relatively low compared to running things like a furnace or stove.
How Long a Propane Tank Lasts with RV Fridge Usage
This is a common question: How long propane tank lasts RV fridge? It depends on the tank size and your fridge’s usage rate.
RV propane tanks come in different sizes. Common sizes for travel trailers and fifth wheels are 20-pound and 30-pound tanks (these are the removable ones, like for a grill, but bigger). Motorhomes often have built-in tanks measured in gallons, like 24 gallons or more.
Let’s use the typical usage rates we talked about and look at 20lb and 30lb tanks.
- A 20-pound propane tank holds about 4.7 gallons of propane (20 lbs / 4.2 lbs/gallon).
- A 30-pound propane tank holds about 7.1 gallons of propane (30 lbs / 4.2 lbs/gallon).
Now, let’s estimate tank life just running the fridge on propane, using our daily usage estimates.
Estimated Tank Duration (Fridge Only)
| Fridge Size | Daily Propane Usage (lbs) | Daily Propane Usage (Gallons) | 20lb Tank Duration (Days) | 30lb Tank Duration (Days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 0.4 – 0.8 | 0.1 – 0.2 | 25 – 50 | 35 – 71 |
| Medium | 0.8 – 1.2 | 0.2 – 0.3 | 16 – 25 | 23 – 35 |
| Large | 1.0 – 1.5 | 0.24 – 0.36 | 13 – 20 | 19 – 29 |
Note: These are rough estimates assuming only the fridge is using propane and conditions are moderate.
As you can see, even a single 20lb tank can last for several weeks if you are only running the fridge. However, you will also use propane for:
* Furnace (uses a lot of propane!)
* Water heater (when on gas)
* Stove/oven
* Outside grill (if connected to RV supply)
When you add these other uses, your propane will run out much faster. The fridge is often the biggest constant user of propane when you are not hooked up to electric power, especially in warm weather when the furnace is off.
Interpreting Your Propane Level
RV propane tanks usually have a gauge that shows how full they are. This gauge might not always be perfectly accurate, but it gives you a good idea. Checking it regularly is smart, especially if you are staying in one place for a while using the fridge on gas. Knowing your typical Propane usage per day RV fridge can help you predict when you’ll need to refill.
Many RVers carry two 20lb or 30lb tanks. This gives them a backup when the first tank runs out. An auto-switchover regulator will even switch to the second tank by itself when the first is empty. This lets the fridge keep running without you needing to do anything right away.
Tips for Using Less Propane for Your Fridge
Since RV fridge propane usage depends on many things, you can do things to lower it. Saving propane means your tank lasts longer, which is great when boondocking or camping far from refill stations.
Prepare Before You Go
- Pre-cool the fridge on electric: If you can, plug your RV in at home for 24 hours or more before your trip. Let the fridge get fully cold on electric power. It takes a long time for an absorption fridge to get cold from room temperature. Using electric for this initial cool-down saves a lot of propane.
- Load cold food: Put food and drinks into the fridge that are already cold. Warm items make the fridge work much harder initially.
While Camping
- Set the temperature wisely: Set the thermostat to a medium setting first. Check the temperature with a fridge thermometer. Adjust it only if needed to keep food safe (below 40°F or 4°C). Don’t just crank it to the coldest setting.
- Limit door openings: Try to get everything you need from the fridge in one go. Close the door quickly. Kids especially need reminders about this!
- Keep it full: If your fridge isn’t full, fill empty spaces with jugs of water. This helps keep the cold in. As you use food, you can fill the space with more water jugs.
- Improve ventilation: Make sure the outside fridge vents are clean and not blocked. If possible, park your RV so the side with the fridge vents is not in direct hot sun. Adding small fans in the back compartment can also help airflow and efficiency, especially in hot weather.
- Use a fridge fan inside: Small battery-powered fans designed for RV fridges can help move the cold air around inside. This makes the temperature more even and helps the fridge work less hard.
- Clean door seals: Check that the door seals are clean and make a good seal all around. You can do the “dollar bill test” – close the door on a dollar bill. If you can pull it out easily, the seal is weak there. Clean the seals or look into replacing them if they are bad.
Maintenance Matters
Keeping your fridge in good shape helps it run better and use less propane.
* Clean the burner and flue: The propane flame burns in a small area called the burner. The heat goes up a tube called the flue. Soot or spiderwebs can block these parts. This makes the flame less efficient and the fridge won’t cool well. Have these cleaned regularly, especially if you notice yellow flame or poor cooling.
* Check voltage (even on propane): The control board needs 12-volt power to run. If you have low battery voltage, the control board might not work right, even when trying to run on propane. Make sure your house batteries are charged.
By doing these things, you can lower your RV fridge gas usage and make your propane tank last longer.
Fathoming How Your RV Fridge Operates on Propane
When your RV fridge operating on propane, it uses a small burner. This burner is similar to a pilot light on an old furnace or water heater, but it’s a main burner that cycles on and off as needed.
Here is a simple look at what happens when you switch to gas:
1. You select the ‘Gas’ mode on your fridge control panel.
2. The control board sends power to a gas valve.
3. The gas valve opens, letting a small amount of propane flow to the burner.
4. An electronic igniter (like a spark plug) creates a spark to light the propane.
5. A sensor (thermocouple or igniter feedback) tells the control board that the flame is lit.
6. The flame heats a part of the cooling unit.
7. This heat starts the absorption cooling process.
8. When the fridge reaches the set temperature, the control board closes the gas valve, and the flame goes out.
9. When the temperature rises, the process starts again (gas valve opens, igniter sparks, flame lights).
Safety is important when RV fridge operating on propane. The system has safety features:
* If the flame does not light after a few tries, the gas valve stays closed to prevent gas buildup. An error light usually comes on.
* If the flame goes out unexpectedly, the sensor tells the control board, which closes the gas valve.
You should always use propane when the RV is level. Absorption fridges need to be fairly level to work correctly. Running them very unlevel can damage the cooling unit.
When driving, you can usually run the fridge on propane. The wind created by driving actually helps with ventilation at the back of the fridge. However, some people prefer to turn it off while driving for safety, especially when getting gas. Many newer RVs have systems that automatically turn off the fridge propane if the RV engine is turned off or if there is a crash.
Comparing Propane and Electric Use
Your RV absorption fridge can run on propane (gas) or electricity (usually 120V AC, like when plugged into shore power or a generator). Some also have a 12V DC mode, but this mode uses a lot of battery power and is usually only meant for keeping the fridge cool while driving (powered by the vehicle’s engine alternator), not for cooling it down or using for long periods.
- Propane: Great when you are camping without electric hookups (boondocking). Uses a small amount of propane continuously (cycling on and off).
- Electric (AC): Great when you are plugged into shore power or running a generator. Uses a fair amount of electricity when the heating element is on.
When you have access to electric power, it’s generally better to run the fridge on electric. This saves your propane for times when you need it, like for the furnace on a cold morning or cooking meals. Running on electric is usually slightly more efficient in terms of cooling performance in hot weather compared to propane, assuming your electrical system and heating element are working correctly.
However, if you are running your RV on batteries and an inverter without charging the batteries (like from solar or generator), the electric heating element uses a lot of battery power quickly. In this case, propane is the much better option as it uses very little 12V power (just for the control board) compared to the electric heating element.
Deciphering Your Own Propane Usage
To get a real idea of your Propane consumption RV refrigerator, you can do a test.
1. Make sure your propane tanks are full and note the date and reading on the gauge (if available).
2. Go on a camping trip where you will use the fridge only on propane (and maybe minimal other propane use like just cooking).
3. Try to keep other propane use the same each day, or note exactly how long you use the stove, etc.
4. After a few days or a week, check your propane gauge again.
5. Refill your tank and note how many pounds or gallons it took.
6. Divide the total propane used by the number of days. Subtract any propane used by other appliances (this part is tricky).
A simpler way is to use one dedicated 20lb tank just for the fridge for a trip, keeping track of the days. When it runs out, you know that tank lasted X days running mostly the fridge in those specific conditions.
Knowing your typical Average propane use RV fridge helps you plan how much propane you need for future trips, especially if you camp off-grid often.
Maintenance and Propane Use
We touched on maintenance, but it’s worth repeating. A well-maintained fridge uses propane more efficiently.
- Clean the Burner and Flue: This is critical. A dirty burner or flue means the heat isn’t getting to the cooling unit properly. The fridge runs longer trying to get cold, using more gas. If your fridge is not cooling well on gas but works okay on electric, a dirty burner/flue is often the cause. It’s a good idea to have this checked and cleaned every year or two by an RV technician.
- Check the Vents: Bugs, dirt, and debris love to build nests in the fridge vents or the area behind the fridge. This blocks airflow. Poor airflow means heat builds up, and the fridge works less well and uses more propane. Clean the vents regularly from the outside.
- Inspect Door Seals: Worn or dirty seals are silent propane wasters. Check them, clean them, and replace them if they are cracked or stiff.
Simple maintenance steps can save you money on propane and keep your fridge working right.
Common Questions About RV Fridge Propane Usage
How much propane does an RV fridge use per day?
An RV fridge gas usage is typically between 0.4 and 1.5 pounds of propane per day. This varies based on fridge size, outside temperature, how often the door is opened, and other factors. Small fridges use less, large fridges use more.
How long will a 20lb propane tank run an RV fridge?
A 20-pound tank holds about 4.7 gallons or 20 pounds of propane. Running only a medium-sized RV fridge operating on propane, a 20lb tank could last roughly 16 to 25 days. This time goes down significantly if you use propane for heating, cooking, or hot water.
How long will a 30lb propane tank run an RV fridge?
A 30-pound tank holds about 7.1 gallons or 30 pounds of propane. For a medium-sized RV absorption refrigerator propane use, a 30lb tank might last around 23 to 35 days when just running the fridge.
Does a full RV fridge use less propane?
Yes, generally. A fridge full of cold items helps hold the cold temperature better than an empty fridge. When you open the door, the cold items help cool the warmer air that enters, so the fridge doesn’t have to run as long to get back to the set temperature.
Is it safe to run an RV fridge on propane while driving?
Most RV fridges are designed to be run on propane while driving. The airflow helps the cooling unit work. However, some people turn it off for safety reasons when refueling or in heavy traffic. Newer systems may shut off the propane automatically in certain situations. Check your RV and fridge manuals.
Does the setting on my RV fridge affect propane use?
Yes. A colder setting means the fridge has to run more often and for longer periods to keep the temperature very low. Setting the fridge just cold enough to keep food safe (below 40°F) will use less Propane consumption RV refrigerator than setting it to the coldest level.
Why does my RV fridge use so much propane in hot weather?
In hot weather, the fridge has to remove more heat from inside the box. The cooling unit runs longer cycles to keep the inside temperature down. This increased workload directly leads to higher RV fridge gas usage. Good ventilation behind the fridge is extra important in hot conditions.
Can poor maintenance increase RV fridge propane usage?
Absolutely. Issues like dirty burner/flue, blocked vents, or bad door seals make the fridge work harder and longer to cool. This inefficiency means more propane is burned to achieve the same cooling result, increasing Average propane use RV fridge. Regular maintenance is key.
Is there a difference in propane usage between Dometic and Norcold fridges?
While specific models might vary slightly in efficiency, Dometic RV fridge propane consumption and Norcold RV fridge propane usage for comparable sizes are generally very similar. Both brands use the same basic absorption technology.
When should I use electric vs. propane for my RV fridge?
Use electric (120V AC) whenever you are plugged into shore power or running a generator. This saves your propane. Use propane when you are not plugged in and not running a generator, especially when boondocking or relying on batteries (as the electric heating element uses too much battery power).
Knowing how much propane your RV fridge uses, and what affects that use, helps you manage your resources better on your RV trips. By following simple tips and keeping your fridge in good shape, you can make your propane last longer and enjoy more time off the grid.