Essential Tips to Keep Your Motorhome Fridge Cool During Summer

Are you prepared to keep your motorhome fridge cool and your food fresh as summer approaches?

As you explore the beautiful landscapes of Australia in your motorhome, maintaining a cool fridge is vital for keeping your food fresh and your drinks chilled and avoiding spoilage. However, the rising summer temperatures can make this a challenge. Fear not! We’ve compiled simple yet effective motorhome fridge tips to help you beat the heat and ensure your fridge operates efficiently throughout your journey!

First, let’s clarify how motorhome fridges differ from standard household models. Most motorhomes are equipped with absorption fridges (also known as 3-way fridges) that can operate on multiple power sources, including 12V or 240V electricity and gas (LPG). This versatility allows you to switch power sources depending on whether you’re connected to a campsite or enjoying the great outdoors, ensuring your fridge remains functional wherever you are.

At Cruisin’ RV Sales, our ex-rentals use two different types of fridges. In our campervans, we use a 2-way compressor fridge, and in our motorhomes, we use a 3-way absorption fridge.

Absorption fridges may struggle to keep cool in very hot conditions, especially if the motorhome is parked in direct sunlight. That’s why it’s important to follow our tips to keep your fridge cool in summer!

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TIP 1: PRE-COOL YOUR MOTORHOME FRIDGE

Planning a weekend camping trip? Be sure to turn on your fridge at least 24 hours before you hit the road. This allows it to reach the optimal temperature before you begin loading it with food and drinks.

How to Do It:

Turn on the fridge at home the day before your trip. If you’re plugged into 240V mains power, the fridge will cool more effectively compared to using the 12V battery or gas.
At first, set the thermostat to a colder setting to help the fridge reach the desired temperature quickly. Once it’s cold, you can adjust it back to a normal level.
Pre-chill your food and drinks in your home fridge before transferring them to the motorhome fridge. This reduces the amount of work the motorhome fridge has to do to cool down the items!
Consider adding ice packs or frozen water bottles in the fridge to help maintain a cooler temperature inside.

Pre-cooling the fridge and the food items will help your motorhome fridge maintain a cold temperature more efficiently during your trip, ensuring your food stays fresh longer!

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TIP 2: FIND SHADE FOR YOUR MOTORHOME

Finding shade for your motorhome is essential for keeping your fridge cool, particularly during the hot summer months. Direct sunlight can significantly increase the temperature inside and outside your fridge, forcing it to work harder to maintain its cooling efficiency.

How to Do It:

Search the area for trees, hills, or structures that can provide shade.
Consider how the sun moves across the sky. Position your motorhome so that the fridge side faces away from the sun as much as possible throughout the day.
Can’t find shade? No worries! Bring along a portable canopy, reflective tarp, or sunshade. These can easily be set up to cover the fridge side of your motorhome, angled away from the sun, effectively reducing the heat that reaches the fridge.

A cooler environment means the fridge doesn’t have to work as hard, which can help conserve energy and extend the fridge’s life. It also makes the living space more comfortable for you and your fellow travellers!

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TIP 3: LET YOUR FRIDGE BREATHE

Good ventilation is key to the efficient operation of your motorhome fridge, especially in hot weather. When the air circulates freely around the fridge, it helps dissipate heat, allowing it to maintain a lower internal temperature.

How to Do It:

Make sure the fridge’s external ventilation grills (see photo below) are clear of any obstructions like dirt, debris, or nearby objects. Regularly inspect and clean these areas to allow proper airflow.
Whenever possible, keep the fridge doors closed to maintain internal temperature and minimise warm air entering. Consider using clear storage containers to organise items so you can find what you need quickly without keeping the door open too long.
Our 6-berth Avida Motorhomes for sale come equipped with an awning that can be extended to provide shade. Put the awning out to shield the fridge side of the motorhome from direct sunlight. You can also easily find fridge vent shade for motorhomes online.

Creating a well-ventilated environment for your motorhome fridge, will help it perform better and keep your food fresh, even in the hottest summer conditions! In our Avida motorhomes for sale, the fridge is conveniently located next to the main door, featuring a large ventilation grill behind it!

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TIP 4: ADJUST THE TEMPERATURE

Setting the right thermostat temperature is essential for maintaining your motorhome fridge’s efficiency, especially during hot weather. If the temperature is too high, your food can spoil; if it’s too low, you may waste energy and put unnecessary strain on the fridge. Keeping the fridge at the proper setting can prevent overworking the compressor or absorption system, extending the fridge’s lifespan.

How to Do It:

Aim for a fridge temperature between 3-5°C (37-41°F). This range is optimal for keeping food fresh without freezing items.
The freezer section should ideally be set around -15°C (5°F).
Use a thermometer inside the fridge to regularly check the temperature. Our fridges have built-in temperature displays, but having an additional thermometer gives you a reliable reference.
When making temperature adjustments, do so gradually. Allow several hours for the fridge to stabilise at the new setting before making further changes. Drastic changes can lead to overcooling or insufficient cooling.
During hot weather, set the fridge to a lower temperature to counteract the heat outside. This helps maintain the internal cooling, ensuring food safety.

By following these travel tips for motorhome fridges, you’ll be able to keep your fridge cool even in the hottest weather.

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TIP 5: DON’T OVERLOAD IT

Your fridge needs space for the cold air to circulate. Overloading your motorhome fridge can lead to several issues, including poor air circulation, inconsistent temperatures, and food spoilage. Ensuring your fridge has enough space for cold air to circulate is essential for optimal performance.

How to Do It:

As mentioned before, pre-cool your fridge AND food before loading them up!
Plan your meals! Create a shopping list to avoid buying unnecessary items. This will help you limit the amount of food you bring, making it easier to keep the fridge organised.
Invest in clear, stackable storage containers to organise food items. It will allow you to see what you have and minimise door-open time.
Aim to keep the fridge about 75% full. This allows for sufficient airflow while still keeping items cold.
Make it a habit to check your fridge regularly, using older items first (FIFO: First In, First Out) to prevent spoilage. This ensures you’re using what you have and not overloading with new items!

Remember that a fuller fridge retains cold better than an empty one. If you’re stocking up for a long trip, you can lower the thermostat slightly to compensate for the warm air entering when the door is opened.

Also, the fridge/freezer in the 6-berth motorhome is 190L, which gives you plenty of storage space!

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TIP 6: CHECK THE SEALS

The seals around your fridge door are crucial for maintaining the internal temperature. Cold air can escape if the seals are damaged or worn, making it harder for the fridge to keep items cool. Maintaining those seals can extend the lifetime of your fridge.

How to Do It:

Visual inspection! Regularly inspect the door seals for any visible signs of wear, cracks, or damage. Pay special attention to corners and edges, where wear is more common.
Hot Tip: To check the effectiveness of your seals, perform a dollar bill test. Close the fridge door on a dollar bill (or a piece of paper) and try to pull it out. If it comes out easily, the seal may be worn and needs replacing.
Wipe the seals down with a damp cloth and a mild detergent to keep them clean. This helps remove dirt or grime that can affect their performance.
If the seals are damaged or not sealing properly, replace them immediately. You can order replacement seals from various RV supply stores across Australia.

Remember, a well-maintained motorhome fridge not only enhances your travel experience but also ensures your safety on the road.

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TIP 7: MAINTENANCE AND CHECK-UPS

Regular maintenance and inspections are crucial for keeping your motorhome fridge in top condition.

How to Do It:

Clean the interior and exterior of the fridge regularly. Wipe down shelves, containers, and walls with mild detergent to prevent odours and spills from causing problems.
Remember to clean the vents to ensure proper airflow!
Periodically check the electrical connections for any signs of wear, fraying, or loose connections. Ensure that the power supply is working correctly. If you notice any issues, consult a professional to address electrical problems safely.

Before starting your camping season, do a comprehensive check-up of your fridge and your motorhome in general! Inspect seals, clean the unit, check for any signs of wear or damage, and test the cooling efficiency.

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Summer is coming! Use these motorhome fridge tips to ensure your fridge stays cool during your adventures. Where will your travels take you? Explore our range of ex-rental motorhomes for sale! If you don’t see the type of vehicle you’re interested in, go ahead and submit an inquiry form or give us a ring at 1300 124 329.

Did you purchase a motorhome from us? We’d love to hear about your adventures! Share your journey with #cruisinrvsales! Happy and safe travels!

Did you find these tips helpful? We’d love to hear your experiences and any travel tips for motorhomes you have! Comment on our Instagram or Facebook!

*The deals and offers mentioned in this article might be withdrawn at any point. Please contact our sales team to learn about current offers.