Updated December 12, 2022
RV owners frequently have the issue of their fridge freezing up the entire contents. You might be wondering why everything in my RV freezer keeps freezing because of this annoyance. This could be caused by a variety of things, including a broken or misplaced thermistor, a fridge that is set too cold, a fridge that is too full, etc. You should check each of these to see whether your refrigerator is having a more serious problem. Listen attention for beeping sounds from your refrigerator; it might be trying to warn you when a problem arises if you want to stop it from freezing your perishables.
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Why Does My RV Refrigerator Freeze Everything?
When you run into this issue, one of the first things you should look at is the temperature your refrigerator is set at. The issue is probably caused by a refrigerator that has been set too chilly. The thermostat for an RV refrigerator is often located on the back of the appliance; set it to the appropriate temperature. If this isn’t the problem, there are a few other things you should look at.
Your refrigerator is operating too coldly if there is ice or frost buildup within, especially on the fins. This is a result of your refrigerator being set too chilly or a malfunctioning thermostat. Try to set the fridge at a warmer temperature if you notice these symptoms so that it doesn’t get too chilly. You might want to defrost and dry the entire unit before you reset the refrigerator since after it is set to a warmer temperature, it may start dripping melted ice.
If temperature isn’t a problem, check to see if your refrigerator is overstocked with food. Your refrigerator may occasionally go into “shock” from having too much food and overcompensate by freezing everything. This is also a result of the cold food being so closely packed together; as a result, frozen food and beverages are produced.
You should look at your thermistor if this isn’t the situation for you still. The majority of RV refrigerators have a little gadget that helps control the refrigerator’s temperature. The temperature that this tiny device sends will vary depending on where you position it. Not only should you check to see if you have a thermistor, but also that it has been installed in the proper location. The optimum recommended location to have your thermistor placed can be found by consulting the instructions for your refrigerator.
Regardless of whether you have a thermistor, you must ensure that it is in good working order. If you don’t have any electrical experience, it may be difficult for you to determine this for yourself; therefore, you may need to call a repairman or, if necessary, replace it. Remember that your refrigerator might not be functioning properly as a result of this if it is severely frosted over or if ice has covered the thermistor. Always keep in mind that if you are unfamiliar with electrical work, you should not risk hurting yourself and should always seek out guidance or assistance from people who are.
If none of these factors are the cause of your issue, it could be that your door does not seal properly. Your refrigerator experiences significant frost and ice when the door is improperly sealed, allowing moisture and air into the appliance. Your food will then freeze or become overfrosted as a result. Add some double-sided velcro strips to the door and the area where it joins the fridge as a short-term solution for this. Until you discover a long-term solution, this ought to work. Remember that Norcold refrigerators are infamous for having defective plastic hinges, which causes your door to not seal. You can quickly fix any damaged refrigerator hinges by purchasing replacement parts.
Sometimes a combination of these issues, especially if your fridge is recent, may be the cause of your RV fridge freezing stuff, but none of them may apply to you. Remember that there are numerous potential causes for your food to freeze in your refrigerator. When identifying issues, you should always consider the age and state of your refrigerator. However, if none of these appear to be the cause of your fridge’s issues, it might be the power supply you are using.
Some refrigerators can only be powered by one outlet. While most may run on any power source, propane (12 volts) usually performs the best. You should consult the owner’s manual of your refrigerator to see the recommended power supply, depending on the model. If your refrigerator is currently powered by propane, you can try switching to a different power source to see if it makes a difference. Sometimes, everything comes down to trial and error. Additionally, we advise keeping a thermometer of some kind inside your refrigerator to compare the real temperature to the setting. This could assist you in figuring out whether your thermostat is genuinely damaged.