Camper Fridges: Self-Defrosting Or Manual Intervention Needed?

Camper fridges, like any other refrigerator, will eventually need to be defrosted. This is because frost builds up over time, which reduces efficiency and increases energy bills. While some newer models have a self-defrosting feature, many do not, and defrosting will need to be done manually. The good news is that defrosting a camper fridge is a relatively easy task and can be done in a variety of ways.

How to defrost an RV fridge in 20 minutes

Defrosting an RV refrigerator is a simple task. It is recommended to defrost your RV fridge when the ice build-up is more than a quarter of an inch thick. Here is a step-by-step guide to defrosting your RV fridge in 20 minutes:

• Turn off the refrigerator: Start by turning off your RV fridge. This is an important safety precaution.
• Unload the freezer: Remove the contents of your freezer and place them into cooler bags or a cooler. If your RV is hot inside, consider covering the cooler bags with blankets for extra insulation. This step should take around 5 minutes.
• Unload temperature-sensitive items from the fridge: Remove perishable items such as milk, yoghurt, lunch meats, and mayonnaise from the refrigerator and place them in an insulated cooler bag or a cooler. This step should only take a few minutes.
• Use a hair dryer to thaw the freezer: Place an absorbent chamois towel in the bottom of the freezer compartment to absorb the melting ice. Then, use a hair dryer on a low to medium setting to thaw the walls of the freezer. Keep the hair dryer moving and maintain a distance of about 8 inches from the walls to avoid overheating. This step should take around 5 minutes.
• Alternate between the freezer and fridge compartments: After thawing the freezer walls, move on to the cooling fins in the refrigerator compartment. Continue to alternate between the two compartments, being careful not to hold the hair dryer too close to the plastic walls or fins to avoid melting or cracking. This step should take around 5 minutes.
• Remove the ice from the cooling fins: As the ice starts to melt, increase the distance between the hair dryer and the cooling fins. Do not use any tools to remove the ice, as this can damage the fins and cause refrigerant leaks. Simply allow the ice to fall off into the drip tray underneath. This step should take around 3 minutes.
• Wipe down the fridge and freezer: Once all the ice has been removed, use the chamois towel to wipe down the interior of the fridge and freezer compartments. This step should only take a couple of minutes.
• Reload the food and turn on the fridge: Put the food back into the refrigerator and freezer compartments, and turn the fridge back on. Set the temperature to the desired level, and allow it to cool down. This final step should take about 2 minutes.

By following these steps, you can efficiently defrost your RV fridge in 20 minutes or less. Remember to always exercise caution when using electrical appliances near water, and never leave your refrigerator door open for extended periods to prevent frost build-up.

Tips to prevent frost build-up in camper fridges

Frost build-up in a camper fridge is a common issue, especially if you are in a humid environment or if your fridge is exposed to direct sunlight. While some newer models have a self-defrosting feature, many camper fridges do not. Here are some tips to prevent frost build-up and keep your camper fridge running efficiently:

Maintain Good Air Circulation:

• Avoid overstuffing your fridge with food, as this can hinder proper air circulation. Consider using an RV refrigerator airator fan to improve airflow.
• Keep the door seals clean by wiping them down regularly. Ensure the seals are in good condition to maintain suction when the door is closed.

Monitor Temperature and Humidity:

• Use refrigerator thermometers to monitor the temperatures in both the fridge and freezer compartments. This will help you identify any issues early on.
• Try to maintain a consistent temperature in your camper. Frosting accelerates when the refrigerator is opened frequently, especially in a warm and humid environment.
• If possible, avoid placing your camper fridge in direct sunlight, as this can contribute to higher temperatures and humidity levels.

Defrost Regularly and Properly:

• Defrost your camper fridge at regular intervals, such as once a year or when ice layers become more than a quarter of an inch thick.
• When defrosting, always unplug the fridge and remove all food items. Use insulated cooler bags or coolers to store temperature-sensitive items temporarily.
• To speed up the defrosting process, use a hair dryer on a low setting, being careful not to damage the plastic components or crack the walls from rapid temperature changes. Alternatively, use pans of warm (not hot) water, a fan, or a wet/dry vacuum to accelerate defrosting.
• After defrosting, ensure the refrigerator is completely dry before plugging it back in and turning it on.

Prevent Frost with Liners:

Consider using thin, flexible cutting boards or vinyl placemats as liners for your freezer walls, floor, and ceiling. When it's time to defrost, simply remove the liners, shake off the ice buildup, and replace them. This method can significantly reduce defrosting time.

Pros and cons of auto-defrosting camper fridges

Camper fridges, like any refrigeration unit, need to be defrosted from time to time. This is because frost reduces efficiency and increases energy consumption. While some newer models have a self-defrosting feature, many camper fridges do not.

Pros of Auto-Defrosting Camper Fridges:

• They reduce maintenance considerably.
• They are more convenient, saving time and labour.
• They are easier to clean.

Cons of Auto-Defrosting Camper Fridges:

• They are more expensive to buy.
• They are noisier due to the constant cycling on and off.
• They use more energy.
• Food is more prone to freezer burn.

Pros of Manual-Defrost Camper Fridges:

• They are cheaper to buy.
• They are quieter.
• They use less energy.
• They are better at maintaining a constant freezing temperature.

Cons of Manual-Defrost Camper Fridges:

• They require regular, hands-on, time-consuming, and tedious maintenance.
• They are more labour-intensive.

Step-by-step guide to defrosting a camper fridge

Firstly, it is important to note that camper fridges should be defrosted approximately once a year or when the ice build-up becomes more than a quarter of an inch thick.

Step 1:

Turn off the refrigerator and empty the contents of the freezer into cooler bags or a cooler. If your RV is hot inside, consider covering the cooler bags with blankets for extra insulation.

Step 2:

Remove the most temperature-sensitive items from the refrigerator, such as milk, yoghurt, lunch meats, and mayonnaise, and place them into an insulated cooler bag or a cooler. Fruits, vegetables, bread, cheese, and condiments can remain in the fridge during the defrosting process.

Step 3:

Place a super-absorbent chamois towel in the bottom of the freezer compartment to absorb the water from the melting ice.

Step 4:

Use a hair dryer to thaw the walls of the freezer. Keep the hair dryer moving and maintain a distance of about 8 inches from the walls to avoid overheating and potential damage to the plastic walls.

Step 5:

Alternate between the freezer and refrigerator compartments, using the hair dryer to melt the ice on the cooling fins. As the ice begins to melt, increase the distance between the hair dryer and the cooling fins.

Step 6:

Once all the ice has fallen off the cooling fins, remove the drip tray and dump the ice into the sink.

Step 7:

Wring out the chamois towel and use it to wipe down the freezer and fridge compartments.

Step 8:

Load the food back into the refrigerator and freezer, then turn the fridge back on. Set the fridge to the maximum temperature for a few hours to help it cool back down before returning to your desired temperature setting.

Additional Tips:

• To prevent frost build-up, be meticulous about not leaving the refrigerator door open unnecessarily.
• Ensure good air circulation inside the fridge by not overstuffing it with food.
• Keep the door seals clean by wiping them down periodically.
• Use refrigerator thermometers to monitor the temperatures in the fridge and freezer.
• To speed up the defrosting process, you can place pans of warm water in the refrigerator and freezer compartments.

Tools and equipment needed to defrost a camper fridge

To defrost a camper fridge, you will need the following tools and equipment:

• Insulated cooler bag or a cooler
• Absorbent chamois towel
• Hair dryer
• Blankets (optional)
• Ice packs (optional)
• Containers to catch water (e.g., bowls, pans, or a half-gallon container)
• Warm water
• Soap
• Baking soda
• Microfiber cloth
• Oil
• Fan (optional)
• Wet/dry vacuum (optional)

Additionally, if you want to speed up the defrosting process, you can use:

• Boiling water
• Rubbing alcohol
• Plastic scraper or spatula
• Box fan
• Wet/dry vacuum

Frequently asked questions