A Beginner's Guide To RV Fridge Maintenance

RV fridges require basic maintenance - and many of the tasks can be done by camper owners. This saves the time, money, and hassle of visiting a service department! Keep reading for do-it-yourself RV fridge maintenance tips. For more camper maintenance advice or to shop RVs for sale, visit Broadmoor RV. Our dealership is based in the Tri-Cities, Washington, and we also serve those in Seattle and Spokane.

RV Fridge Maintenance: Before A Trip

Your pre-vacation checklist should include some camper fridge maintenance tasks. 

Start by visually inspecting the fridge. Make sure there are no signs of damage or issues. If you notice something out of the ordinary, such as a weird noise, take it to the service department. Get the issue fixed before your vacation to avoid unexpected issues on the road!

It's also wise to pre-cool the fridge 8 to 10 hours before putting food inside. That way, the food won't fluctuate in temperature.

RV Fridge Maintenance: After A Trip

If it will be a few weeks before your next vacation, you will want to defrost the RV fridge for a few reasons.

First, there is no point in paying an electricity bill for an appliance you are not using. Second, the defrosting process helps extend the lifespan of the RV fridge. Third, defrosting helps improve camper fridge performance.

Be sure to follow the RV's owner manual and see what the manufacturer recommends for the fridge defrosting process. Remember that there will likely be a lot of water draining from the fridge, so make a plan to catch or absorb that liquid.

RV Fridge Maintenance: General Safety Tips

Camper fridges may not seem like big safety risks, but they can cause unsafe situations for yourself or for your loved ones.

For example, an ammonia smell is a red flag. It's a sign that something is leaking, so turn off the fridge and open it up to air it out. Open up windows and vents to air out the camper as well. The ammonia fumes can be dangerous, so this is not a situation to take lightly.

It's also important to take precautions when doing any refrigerator work. Be sure to clear away any flammable items in the area. If you are working on maintenance tasks that require being on the roof (such as cleaning out the vent), be sure to secure the ladder and enlist the help of a spotter on the ground.

Want more RV maintenance tips? Want to shop campers for sale? Whatever you need, find it with Broadmoor RV. Our experts are happy to help, so contact us or stop by our dealership in the Tri-Cities, Washington. We also serve those in Spokane and Seattle, Washington.