Refrigerator when stored

[oldblueroadking]

I know this has been addressed before but I cannot locate the thread. Is it better to leave it on (have access to shore power) or off with doors open a bit? I heard the unit will last longer if it is left on.

[5picker]

It's personal preference.
I've never heard one piece of credible evidence that leaving a refrigerator on makes it last longer. Nor have I heard the opposite.

Do whatever is convenient for YOU.

[djeirlessr]

We store with the fridge off and doors closed. When we empty the fridge and freezer compartment we dry it out and close the doors. One less thing to have to remember when moving our fifth wheel to close the doors.

[timfromma]

Fridge off with door open to prevent mildew.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by 5picker

It's personal preference.
I've never heard one piece of credible evidence that leaving a refrigerator on makes it last longer. Nor have I heard the opposite.

Do whatever is convenient for YOU.

Yep.
We store our trailer under a shed behind the house with the refrigerator off - compartments dried out - doors held barely open with blue plastic clips.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by djeirlessr

We store with the fridge off and doors closed. When we empty the fridge and freezer compartment we dry it out and close the doors. One less thing to have to remember when moving our fifth wheel to close the doors.

As long as you get it COMPLETELY dry you might get away with this.

You'll never store it with the doors closed again if one day you open it up and are surprised by black mold/mildew. I've seen this on more than one occasion.
Simply leaving the door(s) cracked open prevents this.

[johnbryanpeters]

Off with door ajar.

I discovered that my Dometic RM8501 refrigerator has a latch that can be set to hold the door ajar. Nice touch.

[timfromma]

I f you want to store it with the door closed, but in a bucket of DampRid.

[llr]

always on or open.

at least some RV fridges have built in clips to secure the door slightly ajar, not always obvious, it to me a couple of years to figure out what they were for in my class A, I thought they were to hold it closed and poorly made at 1st.

[primo20]

Originally Posted by johnbryanpeters

Off with door ajar.

I discovered that my Dometic RM8501 refrigerator has a latch that can be set to hold the door ajar. Nice touch.

This is a great feature we had on our norcold unit but seems to be missing on our dometic. Both 2017 models to boot.

[johnbryanpeters]

Originally Posted by primo20

This is a great feature we had on our norcold unit but seems to be missing on our dometic. Both 2017 models to boot.

I don't know what model you have, but look very closely at the interior part of the latch - you might have it - visually, it's very subtle.

[primo20]

Originally Posted by johnbryanpeters

I don't know what model you have, but look very closely at the interior part of the latch - you might have it - visually, it's very subtle.

I can’t recall the model off hand but I’ll look in the morning! I thought it would be strange not to have it.

[oldblueroadking]

Thank you all for the input. It did seem silly to me that a unit not operating would not last as long as one that was running. I'm checking tomorrow for the hold open latches. I read somewhere that you could cut down pool noodles and use those to hold the doors open a little, not sure how without giving it a try. Built in latches sure sound better.

[crunchman12001]

Leave the rig plugged in with Refer on. Why in the world would you want to unload all the stuff out of the Refer every trip? Treat it like your home Fridge.
The only down side is if you lose power, everything thaws and rots.
TIP: Put some ice cubes in a zip lock bag, if you lose power long enough the ice cubes will melt, letting you know to throw everything out.

[oldblueroadking]

Originally Posted by crunchman12001

Leave the rig plugged in with Refer on. Why in the world would you want to unload all the stuff out of the Refer every trip? Treat it like your home Fridge.

The only down side is if you lose power, everything thaws and rots.

TIP: Put some ice cubes in a zip lock bag, if you lose power long enough the ice cubes will melt, letting you know to throw everything out.

I’m not talking about short term, I’m talking about after the rig has been winterized and will not be used for 4, 6, 8 weeks or longer. Of course you don’t unload and turn off the ref. If you are going back out in a week or so.

[primo20]

Originally Posted by johnbryanpeters

I don't know what model you have, but look very closely at the interior part of the latch - you might have it - visually, it's very subtle.

so i went today to look at the fridge. i don't see the latch. model number is RM3962RBX. going to do some research now.

[primo20]

wow. so it looks like my fridge doesnt have the same latch as my norcold...but with that said, a quick read of the manual () and i discovered that the shelf divider doubles as the door latch to keep it open during storage.

back to the trailer tomorrow! thanks johnbryanpeters

[crunchman12001]

Originally Posted by oldblueroadking

I’m not talking about short term, I’m talking about after the rig has been winterized and will not be used for 4, 6, 8 weeks or longer. Of course you don’t unload and turn off the ref. If you are going back out in a week or so.

Well, you could have eliminated about 90% of the replies had you included the sentence above......
"I’m not talking about short term, I’m talking about after the rig has been winterized and will not be used for 4, 6, 8 weeks or longer."
Of course you would turn off the refer and prop the doors if the rig has been winterized and you do not plan to use the rig for 8 weeks or longer...

[oldblueroadking]

Originally Posted by crunchman12001

Well, you could have eliminated about 90% of the replies had you included the sentence above......

"I’m not talking about short term, I’m talking about after the rig has been winterized and will not be used for 4, 6, 8 weeks or longer."

Of course you would turn off the refer and prop the doors if the rig has been winterized and you do not plan to use the rig for 8 weeks or longer...

From reading the replies I think 90% were talking about long term storage.

[crunchman12001]

Originally Posted by oldblueroadking

From reading the replies I think 90% were talking about long term storage.

There I go, trying to help a guy out. Good luck to ya!