Gas Refrigerator Question

[80 Cruiser Rod]

I have been reading up on how to de-winterize my camper and while researching that I read that someone stated that they run their refrigerator on gas while driving so the items can be loaded at home just prior to their trip. Is this safe and okay to do?

[SkyBound]

Tons of people do it, including myself. Apparently it makes other people nervous, which is fine, and they choose not to. The biggest thing with fridges burning propane is to keep them reasonably level so the flame stays centered in the burner tube.

[80 Cruiser Rod]

Originally Posted by SkyBound

. . . Apparently it makes other people nervous, which is fine, . . . .

That made me laugh! I do understand and I think I can be comfortable with that. That will sure make a nice difference in how I need to transport my perishables. Thanks for your input!

[Les7h]

We have traveled with our fridge on for 40 years without a problem - we only turn it off to refuel - there will always be people that are afraid of what they don’t understand
Les

[TCNashville]

Took me 2 years before I traveled with the fridge on propane. Not sure what took me so long.

[JaycoNArizona]

We have been RVing for 20 years and have always used the propane for the fridge. I've never turned it off while gassing up the truck. Never had a problem. If the pilot goes out the safety kicks in and turns off the gas.

[JaycoNArizona]

Also, the propane works much better for fridge cooling than the electric or battery option. That's years of experience IMHO.

[edatlanta]

The only time my refrigerator is turned off is when defrosting the freezer.

[WeRJuliian]

This article may be of interest to all you "Never had a problem" folks....

Gas-station fire destroys Indiana couple’s RV - News - Houma Today - Houma, LA

It might be more appropriate to say "Never had a problem.. yet"

[wags999]

Propane is not easy to ignite. It will only burn when the air mixture is between 2.15% and 9.6%. Anymore or less and it will not ignite. If a line is cut the flow of propane will shut off.

Propane Safety and Use

[Kim Gass]

Originally Posted by 80 Cruiser Rod

I have been reading up on how to de-winterize my camper and while researching that I read that someone stated that they run their refrigerator on gas while driving so the items can be loaded at home just prior to their trip. Is this safe and okay to do?

You have a tiny refrigerator like we do.. At home the day before we plug in the camper to shore power and turn on the fridge to precool it. Meanwhile 2 2 liter soda bottles 7/8 full of water are having their water turn to ice in the kitchen at home fridge.

Day of travel.. Unplug Trailer, insert frozen bottles into TT fridge freezer section and go... Never used propane enroute. Not because we can't but because its entirely unnecessary.
Another thread mentions the PITA of changing fuel bottles. Yes it is.. But we get almost a month out of one 20 lb tank this way.

You essentially are traveling during the day with a cooler. Like in old times. Plug it in or light the gas on arrival at the campground and the bottles in the freezer refreeze.

The only way this would NOT work is if you need all that itty bitty freezer space for food.. We don't. You may be able to put them in the main compartment and still have satisfactory results.

Our main problem with our Norcold is that it wants to freeze everything in both compartments.. Including salad which I wish it would NOT do. I think its very sensitive to ambient outside air.

[WeRJuliian]

The concern is not the propane... that's already ignited, if your fridge is on.
The danger is from the fridge flame igniting petrol vapour, if there's a spill...

[norty1]

There is no denying that it is possible. That article looks like it is 8 years old. I have never seen any statistics on this type incident.

I think I'll start asking anyone I see in a gas station if their fridge is on. Mine will be on but I'm in back with the diesel trucks.

[wags999]

Originally Posted by WeRJuliian

The concern is not the propane... that's already ignited, if your fridge is on.
The danger is from the fridge flame igniting petrol vapour, if there's a spill...

That's why you turn it off when fueling. A larger chance of static electric starting a fire then an RV refrigerator.

[WeRJuliian]

Originally Posted by wags999

That's why you turn it off when fueling. A larger chance of static electric starting a fire then an RV refrigerator.

Can you cite any references for that? I'd be interested in the literature.

Thanks

[wags999]

Originally Posted by WeRJuliian

Can you cite any references for that? I'd be interested in the literature.

Thanks

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/static-quo/


Just one of many articles you can find.

[80 Cruiser Rod]

Thank you everyone. I'm convinced that driving with my fridge on will not be a problem. Also, running it off of shore power for 24 hours or overnight prior to my trip will be beneficial for loading the perishables into a cooled or cold fridge rather than a warm one. Thank you all once again for all the valuable info and help!

[WeRJuliian]

Originally Posted by wags999

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/static-quo/


Just one of many articles you can find.

... none of which compare the risks between the two ignition sources, as you were doing.

[wags999]

Originally Posted by WeRJuliian

... none of which compare the risks between the two ignition sources, as you were doing.

Of course they don't compare . YOU need to compare, how often each source of ignition is. Is that so difficult? Rv fires at a gas station are extremely rare, fires from static electric not so much.

[MagooIsBoo]

I use empty Iogo yogurt silver foil bags. I fill them with water, and freeze them. They don’t leak and they stay somewhat insulated. We don’t often camp with hook ups and this keeps items in the fridge cool for days without having to run through our propane. I’d rather have my propane for hot water.