Your RV fridge is vital for keeping food fresh, but it operates very differently than a residential unit. Understanding how to use your RV refrigerator efficiently helps reduce energy use, maximize cooling, and prevent spoilage on the road.

Pre-Cool Before You Load It

RV refrigerators can take 6–12 hours to reach operating temperature. Before your trip:

• Turn it on the night before departure
• Let it chill completely before adding food
• Avoid loading warm or room-temperature items all at once

Pre-cooling is one of the easiest steps in how to use your RV refrigerator efficiently.

Pack and Arrange Items Strategically

How you organize your fridge makes a big difference:

• Leave space between items for airflow
• Place pre-chilled drinks and meats on the bottom shelf
• Avoid blocking the cooling fins at the back
• Use fridge fans for better circulation

Consider using bins or baskets to keep things in place while driving.

Monitor Power and Switch Between Modes

Many RV fridges run on propane and electricity. Be sure to:

• Use propane when boondocking
• Switch to electric (AC) when plugged into shore power
• Keep the door closed as much as possible to retain cold

If your fridge isn’t cooling properly, Daisy RV can perform a full inspection and clean the burner or check the thermistor.