Note: This is a fictional, first-person narrative review written for creative purposes.
Meet my fridge (well, fridges)
I’ve lived with two kinds of RV fridges. The first was a 2-way propane unit in a small travel trailer. Later, I had a 12V compressor fridge in a bigger rig. Both did the job. Both also made me say, “Really?” more than once.
If you’re curious about every hilarious detail, check out my bigger RV fridge story with all the oops moments that inspired this quick overview.
Quick setup stuff that matters
Level is not a cute suggestion for a propane fridge. I learned fast. If I was off, even a little, it ran hot and cooled weak. I kept a tiny bubble level stuck by the door. Silly, but it saved my bacon. Literally.
The 12V fridge was easier. No fuss with level. It just ran off the battery. I did add a travel latch, though. One dumpy road in Utah popped the door open, and I chased grapes under the dinette. Not my favorite memory.
So…does it keep food cold?
Short answer: Yes. Mostly.
- In Arizona heat (upper 90s), the 12V fridge kept milk cold and safe. It cooled fast, like in a few hours, not a whole day.
- The propane fridge cooled slower. I had to pre-chill it the night before and load cold food. If I put in warm drinks, it sulked.
If you'd like a deeper dive into the cooling performance differences between gas and electric models, this guide lays out the science without the jargon.
One silly note. I froze my lettuce more than once. The back wall on both fridges runs cold. I started using a little wire shelf to pull greens forward. Problem solved. Lesson learned.
Power use and camp vibes
Boondocking is where the 12V fridge showed its mood. If you're looking for a peaceful spot to dial in your power game beside a flowing river, check out Riverhouse Acres—the hookups and valley shade make a perfect real-world test bed. On mild days, it felt light on the battery. On hot days, I watched my monitor like a hawk. Those same amps also kept my phone topped up for late-night Google chats with my partner; if you’re curious about turning a routine Hangouts window into a digital campfire for two, this Google Hangouts sexting guide explains the settings, safety steps, and playful prompts so you can keep the romance warm even when the mountain air isn’t.
On a different kind of layover, when my route swung me through Florida’s Gulf Coast, I wanted to trade digital flirtiness for real-world chemistry; that search led me to this Clearwater-focused adult nightlife guide which maps out discreet venues, etiquette tips, and up-to-date reviews so travelers can decide if a sunset along the pier should roll into something steamier after dark.
A simple plan helped:
- I ran 200W of solar and two house batteries.
- I kept the fridge around mid setting.
- I didn’t stand there with the door open, like a lost raccoon.
For another perspective on how propane stacks up against electric in real-world RVing, I found this comparison super helpful when I was first shopping.
With the propane fridge, I saved battery but used propane, of course. One windy night, the flame blew out. I woke up to warm yogurt. After that, I put in a little vent fan and a wind baffle. Not fancy, but it kept the flame steady.
Noise, space, and tiny quirks
The 12V compressor made a low hum at night. Not loud. Just…there. I got used to it, like background rain. Getting used to subtle nighttime sounds felt similar to my recent quest to find a better RV bunk mattress—comfort is a game of inches in a tiny home.
Shelf space felt better on the 12V unit. Tall bottles fit the door bin. Eggs had a safe spot. The crisper drawer worked, but sometimes trapped moisture. I started laying a paper towel under the greens. It kept slimy spinach away, which is a win in any book.
Real life oops and fixes
- Frost on the fins after a week in humid Florida. I turned the fridge off, put towels under the fins, and pointed a tiny fan inside for 20 minutes. Boom—done. I don’t like scraping ice. Too messy.
- Hot wall vent on a long climb in Colorado. I added a cheap computer fan behind the vent to pull heat out. That knocked temps down by a few degrees inside.
- Loose seal once. I learned the dollar bill test: close the door on a bill and tug. If it slides easy, the seal’s weak. I warmed the gasket with a hair dryer and pressed it back in place. Pretty neat trick.
Travel day habits that stuck
- I press on all lids. The salsa test is real.
- I use spring bars across shelves so jars don’t fly forward.
- I put drinks low and heavy. Food bruises less if it sits tight.
- I precool the fridge at home and load food cold. It starts strong and stays that way.
Cleaning without drama
Baking soda in a little bowl. Wipe spills right away. Once a month, I wash seals with warm, soapy water. And I leave the door cracked open when I park it in storage. A wooden spoon works as a prop. Keeps smells away.
What I loved
- 12V fridge: quick to cool, steady temps, no level stress.
- Propane fridge: sips battery, great for long stays away from hookups.
- Both: easy to live with once you learn their moods.
What bugged me
- Propane fridge: must be level; slow to cool; wind can blow out the flame.
- 12V fridge: hum at night; higher draw in heat; needs decent solar or shore power to feel chill.
Little tips that saved my dinner
- Use a cheap fridge thermometer. Don’t guess.
- Keep a small fan in the back vent for hot days.
- Don’t pack it tight—air needs to move.
- Push greens forward; cold wall = frozen salad.
- Travel latch. Trust me on this one.
Who should choose what?
- Weekend campers with hookups: 12V is simple and fast.
- Long boondock folks with big solar: 12V works, just plan your power.
- Off-grid, low-power setups: propane is your friend, as long as you mind the level and airflow.
My simple verdict
I’d pick the 12V fridge again for daily life. It cools fast and feels steady. But I miss the propane fridge on long, quiet boondocks where power is tight. Funny, right? Different trips, different needs. That’s RV life. One day it’s salsa on the floor. The next day it’s cold milk at sunrise. And somehow, both moments stick with you. And because restful sleep goes hand in hand with a happy fridge routine, I finally swapped to an RV king mattress so the humming compressor never stands a chance of keeping me awake.