Is it okay to make refrigerator unlevel

[Freebirds]

We have had our Champagne for two months. Four times we have discovered we did not shut the refrigerator drawer completely which allowed the temperature to reach thawing levels. Never had a problem with two doors.

This is strictly "operator error" but still we have erred and almost lost a freezer full of food. Would it do any harm to raise the front two legs higher than the back? This is, of course, a residential fridge so it doesn't have to be level, right?

[bubbles]

If it was in your home wouldn't you adjust the front slightly higher so the doors would always tend to close? Why not.

[itat]

I’m not sure about residential fridges needing to be level but they typically are level in homes, or maybe slightly high in the front, but I suggest that you would benefit from having a departure checklist and using it every time. I use an app called “RV Checklist”.

[rockfordroo]

You might want to get one of these, too:



https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/sto...rts/1040496481

Has high temp alarms.

[Freebirds]

The alarm system sounds like a great idea. I will buy one to go along with slightly raised legs.

This is not something we do for travel. It is an ongoing battle to make sure that drawer is closed.

Thanks for the responses.

[VinceU]

Just a few degrees for door closure, yes.

[Flybob]

Residential fridges and evaporative fridges are very different animals. You will be fine with a residential fridge that is not perfectly level.

[Jim34RL]

Isn't there some type of device that locks the doors and drawer closed during travel?

I use a strap for my residential refrigerator and as others also use some type of strap or device to hold them close.

I would look into something like that to insure they remain closed during travel. I purchased a strap for less than $22. which included taxes and shipping from Tiara RV Sales.

[ACJC]

Originally Posted by Flybob

Residential fridges and evaporative fridges are very different animals. You will be fine with a residential fridge that is not perfectly level.

Rv refrigerators are absorbers. Both compressor type and absorber types fridges have a process of evaporation, this is what cools the space / food. Absorbers use no mechanical means to move the refrigerant but a chemical reaction due to boiling the chemical solution of pure water and ammonia and hydrogen gas. The flow is dependent on gravity to properly return to solution reservoir and reconstitute the refrigerant mix. Not leveling this type is a recipe for disaster.
Home refrigerators use compressors to move the refrigerant through the system and does not use gravity for nothing other than the condensation drain

[TryingToLearn]

Originally Posted by ACJC

Rv refrigerators are absorbers. Both compressor type and absorber types fridges have a process of evaporation, this is what cools the space / food. Absorbers use no mechanical means to move the refrigerant but a chemical reaction due to boiling the chemical solution of pure water and ammonia and hydrogen gas. The flow is dependent on gravity to properly return to solution reservoir and reconstitute the refrigerant mix. Not leveling this type is a recipe for disaster.
Home refrigerators use compressors to move the refrigerant through the system and does not use gravity for nothing other than the condensation drain

I'm no expert when it comes to ammonia refrigerators but would a few degrees off front to back really have a negative impact? I could understand side to side but even just a few degrees?

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by TryingToLearn

I'm no expert when it comes to ammonia refrigerators but would a few degrees off front to back really have a negative impact? I could understand side to side but even just a few degrees?

My regular old RV fridge has cooled perfectly being more than a few degrees off level. We overnight hooked up and unleveled during long trips. Some were really unlevel both ways. I've always said as long as you can walk around your rig upright, the fridge is ok. Don't understand this myth that your fridge won't work and will be damaged if you aren't perfectly level. RL experience says that just isn't so.

[Wolverine 1945]

Not trying to be a Smart *****,,,
but I would teach myself & my family to close the door !!!

[ACJC]

Out of level a little isn't bad. The fridge will work and for the most part have no issues. When the ammonia can't reconstitute with the water and the water itself starts to boil the sodium chromate when continued heating will solidify and block flow. Also once the water is separated from the ammonia and not able to return to solution the water will attack the steel tubing etc. the excess heat will make stress areas brittle and possibly crack welds etc. check out this explanation at this web page.
The RV Doctor: RV Absorption Refrigeration Basics

[VinceU]

“Since the absorption system utilizes no
mechanical pumps or compressors to circulate the refrigerant within the system, proper leveling is required to provide correct refrigerant flow in the gravity-feed system. Without proper leveling, refrigerant within the cooling coils will collect and stagnate at certain areas. When this happens the cooling process will stop.
(17)
On the older style cooling units equipped with square boiler box covers, this condition can cause permanent cooling unit failure. As we can see from this drawing, square boiler box cooling units utilize an exposed siphon pump tube which will become excessively super- heated in an out-of-level condition. This can allow the rust inhibiting agent to chemically break down and permanently block or restrict the normal refrigerant flow through the pump. Shaking, tipping or so called ‘burping the refrigerator will not loosen or dislodge the blockage. The only recommended service procedure is to replace the cooling unit. To prevent this occurrence, proper leveling is of utmost importance when the RV is parked for
any length of time.”

Written by a Dometic eng. maybe 20 years ago. The boiler problem was corrected but performance is still hampered when out of level.

[itat]

Several posts here have been about RV refrigerators (LPG/AC). The OP has a residential refrigerator with a compressor.

[AudiDudi]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

You might want to get one of these, too:



https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/sto...rts/1040496481

Has high temp alarms.

X2 - have used this for years.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by itat

Several posts here have been about RV refrigerators (LPG/AC). The OP has a residential refrigerator with a compressor.

And? Threads diverge. Try to keep up.

[Freebirds]

Originally Posted by Wolverine 1945

Not trying to be a Smart *****,,,
but I would teach myself & my family to close the door !!!

LOL You are so right! The problem is we get busy cooking and give the drawer a shove and bingo - it is not totally closed. This is not something we do daily but it is not good to even do it weekly. We have always had refrigerators with doors so it is a new experience.

We do plan to buy the temperature sensor.

To those who replied concerning being in transport - there is no problem there. We have a child lock on it - then velcro strap - then a cord. Drawer or doors cannot move.

Thanks for all who replied.