Gas Fridge Gives Some Insight on the Benefits of Owning a Modern Propane Refrigerator

A Little History and Comparisons about Propane Refrigerators from Gas Fridge

Propane gas refrigerators have changed since they first came onto the market. The newer models with ammonia cooling systems are lighter weight and there is a larger selection of models to choose from. Gas-Fridge provides all the information you need for deciding which propane refrigerator is right for you.

The SERVEL was built from the 1930s – 1950s, for durability and to last for generations. Today’s units are more streamline, lighter weight, yet dependable, and should last about 15 years.

Today you can find propane refrigerators with higher quality workmanship made with lighter materials, and weighing a total of 150-275 lbs. These are sold under the names DIAMOND, EZ-FREEZE, DOMETIC, CONSUL, and DANBY. The older units sold under the names SERVEL, ELECTROLUX, and eventually DOMETIC, weighed as much as 400-500 lbs.

The DIAMOND and EZ-FREEZE are made in the US, by separate manufacturers.

The Pros of and older unit:

Materials used were made of galvanized components, which eliminated rust. The evaporator was galvanized too, which also eliminated rust, and caused no cooling leakage.

Many people loved the longevity and they have been in use for over 70 years.

Older SERVELs burn much dirtier than newer propane refrigerators. Modern units use only half the amount of fuel.

Older propane refrigerators emit CO gas to unhealthy levels, as much as 1500 parts per million.

Older SERVELs are illegal to operate in Canada, and our US government has actively set up a program to eliminate them from the market. An action Committee can be reached at 800-782-7431 for safe disposal. Ask about their $100.00 reward for removal of your old unit.

The pros of owning a new DIAMOND, EZ-FREEZE, DOMETIC, or CONSUL:

Propane refrigerators made since the 1980s, and currently are made to burn cleaner.

They emissions are only 20-30 PPM of Carbon Monoxide gas.

You should never worry about CO poisoning.

A new propane refrigerator usually does not need to be vented to the outside.

Gas Fridge would like to remind you that when incorporating your new Propane Refrigerator into your cabinets, be sure to allow proper ventilation with a vent in the floor towards the back. Also allow ventilation on the top of the refrigerator so that heat can escape the cooling system. Without adequate venting the unit could overheat.

To learn more about gas refrigerators contact Gas Fridge at 928-636-6674 or visit our website at http://gas-fridge.com/

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How to adjust the temperature of a gas refrigerator

Over the years we have sold thousands of Propane Gas Refrigerators and almost all of them have ended up in a remote location for use in a home or cabin that does not have electricity. Because propane is usually trucked to the location or hand carried so it is safe to say that conserving of the gas usage is valued. We would like to provide information on hooking up a digital thermostat to your propane gas refrigerator.

Most rural off grid homes, cabins, and cottages don’t have automatic climate control. This means the off grid refrigerator is subject to a wider range of ambient temperatures during the day as well as the seasonal changes. Gas refrigerators are all manual temperature controlled. No digital thermostats or electronics whatsoever. This is what you would expect from a non-electric refrigerator.

Stabilizing the temperature is fairly simple. It just takes a little time. Starting at the maximum setting, monitor the temperatures of the fridge compartment taking the “true” reading first thing in the morning before the door is opened. When this reading reaches freezing at 32 degrees, start to slightly move the dial toward the minimum setting by approximately 1/12 of a turn. Do this every morning until the temperature reaches your target. My target is usually 34 to 38 degrees.

It is my belief that the best tool you can own when living full time with a gas fridge is a Remote Digital Thermometer. It allows the user to monitor the inside temperatures without opening the door. If an adjustment to the thermostat is needed, It will alert you either by the alarm or by what the display reads. In the case of the fridge stops working from a lack of gas supply, it may save you hundreds of dollars in groceries.

Slight adjustments from this point can be made to compensate for seasonal changes and usage variations. We like to prejudge the high usage times and lower the temperatures in advance to get a head start on the recovery times. For instance, if you are planning a party or family get together, turn the thermostat toward maximum the night prior to the event.

Seasonal changes will usually demand an adjustment. Not only for temperature, but humidity levels will affect the settings more dramatically. High humidity will also produce more frost on the cooling fins and can reduce efficiency. Defrosting is another area of maintenance that can help with temperature stabilization.

One last note, a full refrigerator of cold food will be more temperature stable during the day than one with less food. It is due to the mass of food versus the mass of air. The food mass will retain the cold whereas the air mass will fall out when the door is opened.

For more information regarding Propane Refrigerators contact Gas Fridge at either 928-636-6674 or by visiting our website at http://www.gas-fridge.com/.

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Gas Fridge explains proper ventilation for your propane refrigerator.

In order to allow for proper air circulation and allow the gas fridge to breathe, there are a few rules to follow when designing the gas refrigerator space.  Allowing for ample clearance around the unit is usually enough to allow proper air circulation.  If air circulation is limited, there could be long term damage.  Gas Fridge explains proper ventilation for your propane refrigerator:

Figure 1 – Best case

We describe this as best case since there are no structures (cabinets, shelves, etc…)  above  to obstruct the heat from rising out from the rear of the unit and also with at least one side being completely open, there is no need for further ventilation. 

Figure 2 – Limited top vent
A limited air escape at the top rear of the unit must be addressed with a vent to allow the hot air to rise up and escape. Trapping the hot air behind the unit will cause poor performance and long term damage.

Figure 3 – Boxed in. Worst case
The built-in type of construction is worst case scenario and is not recommended without proper ventilation. Some manufactures will void warranty for this type of install and no or limited venting.

Keep the absorption coils and fins clean from dirt and debris to allow for better heat transfer. Never set anything on top of the refrigerator the covers or partially covers the cooling fins.

We hope you found these tips helpful.  Gas Fridge has many styles of propane appliances for you to choose from.  Please visit us at http://www.gas-fridge.com.  You can also call with questions at 928-636-6674.  Let Gas Fridge assist you in making a great decision with your propane appliances.

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Gas Fridge discusses your freezer off grid options.

Getting ready to live off grid?  If so, you basically have two options when it comes to freezers.  Gas powered or DC powered.  Both are produced with a high insulation value to create the best efficiency. Because a freezer must have power available at all times to keep the food storage at the proper temperature, the major consideration between a propane gas freezer and a DC electric freezer is the availability of the power source. 

If solar energy, wind energy, or hydro energy is available at your location, then a DC electric freezer initial cost will be low and this will be the best choice.  If none of these DC energy sources are available and you have to buy the equipment to produce electricity, then you’re looking at a much larger investment and propane is the way to go.

This is where the possibility of a gas freezer may be best. Gas Freezers can operate from stored LPG (Propane) gas or piped in Natural Gas.  Propane gas is supplied either by truck to a permanent tank on the property or smaller portable tanks that can be transported and filled at a filling site. Permanent tanks are available in a variety of sizes ranging from 100 gallons to over 1000 gallons. The freezer can operate from any size tank. The question is, for how long. It is typical for a propane freezer to use approximately 2 to 3 gallons of LPG per 7 days.

Needless to say, your location and power setup is going to be key in deciding which type of freezer to purchase.  Because technology has gotten so much better over the years, you can literally use propane to run your whole off grid home! 

Gas Fridge has many styles of propane appliances for you to choose from.  Please visit us at http://www.gas-fridge.com.  You can also call with questions at 928-636-6674.  Let Gas Fridge assist you in making a great decision with your propane appliances.

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Gas Fridge talks about transporting and storing your Propane Refrigerator.

Did you just buy your new propane refrigerator?  Concerned about transporting it?  Believe it or not, transporting the unit is not as complicated as some might believe.  Because propane refrigerators are not built with the same components as an electric refrigerator, you can actually transport the refrigerator on its side if need be.  Laying a gas refrigerator on the side while transporting has no long term affects to the operation, performance, or lifespan of the unit.  Always make sure to use plenty of padding.

If you are putting your propane refrigerator in storage, Gas Fridge has some tips for you:

• Remove any moisture from the interior to prevent mold buildup.
  
• Put charcoal or old newspaper inside to absorb any moisture.
  
• You can leave the doors open if there are no critters around.
  
• Do not leave canned drinks inside as they might freeze and explode, causing damage.
  
• Spray an insect repellent around the burner box to deter insects from nesting in the burner.
  
• Always check your flame condition immediately after startup from storage period.  It should be a bright blue.

We hope you enjoyed these tips.  Gas Fridge has many styles of propane refrigerators for you to choose from.  Please visit us at http://www.gas-fridge.com.  You can also call with questions at 928-636-6674.  Let Gas Fridge assist you in making a great decision with your propane refrigerator.

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