Gas-Fridge discusses Propane Appliances for those living Off-Grid

Many dream of living off grid. No more connection to the big power companies. Control your energy use as you see fit. No more unexpected power outages. Being self-sufficient and green. Gas-Fridge discusses how switching to propane appliances can help to achieve this dream.

Cooking - while it is possible for folks to cook outside over a nice fire on occasion, the reality is that conditions aren’t always great. Like when you have wind, rain, hail or snow, or maybe the firewood didn’t get chopped. You had a nice meal planned to cook outside for your family… then out of nowhere a monsoon comes through, ruining those well thought out plans. If you had a propane stove installed in your house, you wouldn’t have even noticed! There are many different types cooking devices available today, and with many different price points. Why not upgrade to an indoor propane gas range today and not worry about the weather outside when you’re cooking a meal.

Refrigeration – keeping perishables cool is a major challenge for people living off grid. Not having that option means you can only purchase food for very short periods of time. Imagine if you were able to still live off grid, yet keep those yummy steaks cool until you were ready to cook them. Having a propane refrigerator would make off grid living much easier. Our refrigerators feature a battery operated interior light, glass shelves, front mounted controls, crisper trays and reversible doors. No electricity required!

Freezers – Nothing like wishing you would keep your precious meats frozen until you wanted to use them. Off grid living could mean no more meet until grocery day and then you could only buy what you could eat that day. There are many sizes and styles of freezers to choose from these days. Upright or horizontal. Our gas freezers have a single burner that powers a double cooling unit design mounted on the rear. This enables our freezers to produce freezing temperatures at a low gas consumption rate. No electricity required!

Propane appliances allow off grid living with some of the comforts and conveniences we are accustomed to. Gas-Fridge is the leader in off-grid appliances from propane to natural gas and solar in the Prescott area. Contact us for more information on any of our refrigerators, freezers, ranges/stoves, lighting, and cooling products. Contact Gas-Fridge at either 928-636-6674 or by visiting our website at http://www.gas-fridge.com.

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Gas Refrigerator Connection Options from Gas-Fridge

A Propane Refrigerator uses Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) from a stored container called a tank or a cylinder which is regulated with a pressure regulator mounted at the tank and then plumbed to the point of use. These three components (tank, regulator, & plumbing) are all that is needed to get a propane gas refrigerator up and running. There are a few options on how to connect a propane refrigerator based on where the refrigerator is located. Gas-Fridge, your national LP gas refrigerator sales and service company, brings you these common options and some tips and tricks.

Tank / Cylinder
A propane gas fridge will operate from any size tank or cylinder. The size or capacity only dictates the amount of time the gas fridge will operate before the tank needs to be re-filled.

Small portable tank & regulator

A tank may be as small as 5 gallons which is typical for a barbecue and is considered a portable tank. Weighing only about 20 pounds when completely filled, the 5-gallon size are easily placed in the back of a pick-up truck or even on the back of a mule for transport. Portable tanks can range in size up to about 25 gallons and weigh about pounds when full. The smaller tanks are great for remote locations where the propane must be “hauled in”.  All of these portable tanks can be plumbed with a short flexible hose that is connected to the rigid pipe of the home.

These portable tanks should never be used indoors since the pressure ahead of the regulator is high pressure and a leak or venting of the tank can cause a high volume of gas to escape rapidly and be very dangerous around an open flame or any ignition source. Any tank larger than 100 pounds is not practical to transport on a regular basis. A larger permanent tank for an average home will generally range from 125 gallons up to 1000 gallons.

250 Gallon permanent tank

The larger non-portable permanent tanks are typically set outside of the home. Local code requirements will specify minimum distances from structures and property lines. Access to the tank is required for the delivery vehicle although a hose reel on the propane delivery truck can accommodate from 50 to 200 feet of distance. These tanks are piped to the house with rigid pipe underground. The regulator is mounted on top of the tank under the protective cover. The tank will have a gauge showing percentage of capacity.  A rule of thumb for total capacity will be about 20% less than the listed capacity of the tank to allow for gas expansion in hot weather.

Regulators
The high-pressure propane gas is regulated to low pressure of 11 inches of water column via the regulator. Most high-quality regulators are adjustable and we recommend this type for propane refrigerators since it is critical for proper operation and lifespan of the unit. The pressure should be checked upon installation.

Tank mounted regulator

Regulators are available in different sizes and are rated by the BTU output. The BTU rating is normally listed on the regulator body. Most homes will require a regulator of 400,000 BTU or more. When the BTU rating of each appliance is added together, this will be the minimum BTU required for the system. A gas heater can use as much as 150,000 BTU whereas the EZ Freeze Gas Refrigerator will only use 1750 when on high flame. If the BTU demand is too high for the regulator, it will freeze up and the refrigerator will shut off. After the ice inside of the regulator defrosts, the fridge will have to be relit. This scenario is usually present when a small regulator is used to supply heaters, a water heater, and range all at one time. The small regulators are typically used to supply only one appliance or a multiple of low BTU appliances at one time.

The automatic changeover regulator is designed to connect to 2 tanks at one time and automatically switch to the second tank when the first tank goes empty. At this point, a red flag indicates that the first tank is empty. The user can then remove this tank and get it filled without interrupting service to the appliances.

Plumbing

Flex line & valve

A typical house is plumbed with rigid pipe throughout. Each appliance should have a valve located at the stub out location and connected from the valve to the gas hook up with a flex line. Most gas refrigerators require a 3/8-inch gas flex line with a 3/8 female flare fitting at the end. We recommend a 4-foot-long coated gas flex line. The flare fitting does not require sealant since the flare is self-sealing.

The smaller portable tanks and regulators can use flexible rubber hoses for connections. This is recommended for outdoor use only on a temporary basis.

Beware of cheap nonadjustable regulators. The supply pressure of a gas refrigerator is critical, and the wrong pressure can cause poor performance or a shortened lifespan. Use only a high quality adjustable type regulator.

Non-adjustable regulator

Adjustable regulator

Always check your connections with a soapy water solution prior to operation. Check local building codes for restrictions. Consult a professional for installation.

Gas-Fridge is your National leader in propane to natural gas appliances. If you have any questions or need more information on your gas refrigerator, please contact us at 928-636-6674 or visit our website at http://www.gas-fridge.com for more information.

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Gas-Fridge has the largest and best selection of propane refrigerators in the USA!

Buying or finding professional service on your propane appliances is easy when you know who to call. Gas-Fridge and Dynamx has the largest propane refrigeration selection in the United States. Welcome to the most comprehensive place to find natural gas or propane refrigerators and freezers. Not only do we sell and service these gas appliances and products, we use them in our daily lives. Our customers love our technical advice and repairs on site or via telephone!

Service, Repair, and Parts for all brands of Gas Refrigerators

Does your gas fridge need service? Dynamx offers walk-in service at our location for all off-grid home gas fridges, gas freezers, as well as RV Units. Servicing gas refrigerators such as EZ Freeze, Diamond, Crystal Cold, Danby, Consul, Servel, Dometic, Norcold, Sibir, Explorer, Miller Refrigeration, Blizzard, Frostek, Zero, Unique, and others.

We provide gas refrigerator and freezer maintenance and services such as:

• General Maintenance
• Hot Room Testing
• Coil Replacement
• Diagnosing
• Thermocouples
• Thermostats
• Piezo Ignition
• Electronic Ignition

Our years of experience in service, sales, and repairs have made us the authority in absorption refrigeration and off-grid appliances. Contact Gas-Fridge and Dynamx at 928-636-1955 or visit our website at http://gas-fridge.com.

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Gas-Fridge talks about the advantages of a propane or natural gas refrigerator

When it comes to common household appliances, we have many choices in today’s market.  Most of us chose an electric refrigerator because it is what we have always known, but maybe with ever increasing electric rates, it’s time to take a look at some other options. Even of you do not live off-grid, or in locations where power can be interrupted by weather events, Gas-Fridge would like to discuss with you another option like propane or natural gas refrigerators.

Gas refrigerators are an efficient way of cooling food when one is living off the grid. There are many advantages to propane or natural gas refrigerators:

There are no moving parts used to cool a gas refrigerator, this means that there are no parts to wear out, this adds to the reliability and length of service that you can have it making ice for your tea.
With the propane price at about $2.35 a gallon (maybe less where you live), a propane refrigerator will cost approx. $1.30 a day to operate. With this amount of propane gas usage, a person should be able to get 20 days of use with only a 20# propane cylinder. If you have natural gas supplied to the location, this cost is reduced considerably.

Both electric and 12VDC refrigerators run with Freon and an electric compressor/pump, these are all moving parts and as mentioned above, they can wear out. Electric inverters, generators, and the like to power the refrigerator can wear out and become unreliable.

With a gas refrigerator, when there is a natural disaster such as flooding or storms and the power system goes out, your refrigeration system still works. What better than having less stress knowing that during a disaster your food is safe until the event is over.

Unfortunately, most people think that using a gas refrigerator is only good for out of the way places. However, as we have shown you it may be a viable option for many households, especially if you prefer to be a bit more “prepared” in case of an emergency or want something that will last 50+ years! Want to explore the options a little more? Just contact Gas-Fridge today at 928-636-6674 or visit our website at http://www.gas-fridge.com to find out about all your propane appliance options.

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Gas Refrigerators are a great option for almost any home - Gas Fridge explains why

Whether you are from the snowy mountains of the Yukon or the deserts of Arizona, or a place

with expensive electricity costs, refrigeration is a necessary but potentially difficult (and costly)

task. You need to keep your food cold, but generators and solar panels can cost thousands of

dollars and are reliant on daylight and gasoline respectively. Don’t you wish there was a better

alternative? Well… There is one! Gas Fridge, one of the largest Gas Refrigerator distributors in

all of the United States, is here to tell you about how a Propane or LP gas fridge can help you in

your food refrigeration woes.

Gas Refrigerators are used by many full-time homeowners as well as those who own off-the-

grid properties, like hunting cabins or weekend getaways, or any other type of faraway place.

Plus, with electricity prices rising in some areas of the United States, it’s becoming more and

more convenient to use alternative energy sources like solar panels. That alone is a great

reason why a gas fridge could be perfect for someone who lives in the suburb as well as

someone who lives in the wilderness. By getting a refrigerator that runs on LP gas, you can

actually circumvent high power bills, as an average propane refrigerator costs less that 75 cents

per day to run. That's only $275 per year! Plus, no matter where you are, a propane refrigerator

can meet the needs of nearly any individual, regardless of where his or her home is located.

As for off-the- grid customers or those in a similar area where electricity can be hard to access,

gas refrigerators are a wonderful option for ease and cost. We have personally heard stories of

how the logistics of getting gas to a remote site makes for an interesting journey; one particular

story is how a man got tired of cutting and transporting large ice cubes from a glacier to an

icebox using an ATV. Imagine the difference this individual experience when this individual no

longer had to ride 25 miles out of his way to get “fuel” for his refrigerator. No matter who you are

or what your means are, transporting a propane container (or multiple) can be easy and more

affordable than an electric equivalent. Whether by car, boat, ATV or helicopter, propane is light,

clean burning, and efficient.

The amount of propane storage can greatly vary from 5 gallons to almost 500 gallons propane

storage for more permanent or year-round locations. The possibilities and options with propane

are endless. Plus, if you live in the wilderness to get away from all the noise of the city, you’ll be

happy to know that propane refrigerators are entirely silent -- with only the sound of a small

propane flame backing the powerful refrigerator. Compare the amount of sound a propane

refrigerator makes to that of a gas burner on a stove -- only audible from less than 5 feet away.

The final kicker is that if you are lucky enough to have a natural gas well on your property, you

can refrigerate for free. What a deal!

From the cost saving benefits, to the ease of transportation and use, and the many different

shapes, sizes, and styles that they come in, there isn’t really a reason to not get a gas

refrigerator. Call Gas Fridge today to learn more about how a gas refrigerator can help you with

your food refrigeration needs. We can be reach us at 928-636- 6674 or visit our website at

http://www.gas-fridge.com

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Gas Fridge explains why you should consider a gas refrigerator even if you don't live off-the-grid

When living where electricity is expensive or unavailable, a propane refrigerator is a great choice for keeping your food fresh and cold. It requires minimal upkeep and costs less to keep running well. Gas Fridge, a major online retailer of propane and LP gas refrigerators and freezers, would like to give you some reasons to consider a gas refrigerator for your off-the-grid home.

With most area’s propane costs hitting right around $2 per gallon, a refrigerator will cost around $0.75 a day to run, with that price dropping even more in colder climates. With a standard #20 propane tank, you’re looking at around 20 days of use. That sure beats lugging around a huge cooler and ice pack, both in cooling performance and in ease of use. Plus, trucking in propane is a lot easier and cheaper than paying for a dedicated electrical line or using batteries.

The initial cost of purchasing a propane or LP gas fridge is quite a bit higher than an electric equivalent, but comparing the two isn’t exactly fair. An electric fridge runs on Freon and a compressor pump, whereas a propane fridge is powered using a heated gas mixture that circulates and cools. No electric lines power the fridge whatsoever. Comparing these two would be like comparing a solar power and wind power - they both meet the same ends, b
ut do it in completely different ways.

Most people may think that using a gas fridge is just for places that don't get electricity, but that isn't the case. Living in town doesn’t mean that a gas refrigerator doesn't still have its benefits. We still would argue that a gas fridge is more cost effective over the course of 20 years than a traditional electric fridge, simply because you’ll be hard pressed to find a fridge that will work flawlessly for 20 years for less than a propane fridge. Propane refrigerators use no moving parts, meaning that there is very little to actually wear out. No compressor unit to go bad, no batteries to change, etc. Plus, the electricity might end up costing more in the long run as well.

As you can tell, there are a lot of good reasons to use a propane powered refrigerator. They’re cheaper, last longer, and cool better. If it sounds like you could use a propane refrigerator or would like more information, you can call Gas Fridge at 928-636-6674 or visit our website at http://www.gas-fridge.com.

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Gas Fridge explains some of the differences between older and modern gas refrigerators

Gas Fridge, your leading online retailer for off the LP gas refrigerators, is here to explain some of the changes that have been made from some of the first propane refrigerators. We’ve come a long way when it comes to gas cooling, and it will be very apparent after reading through this article. The most common type of old-school refrigerator was the SERVEL brand refrigerator, so all our comparisons will be made with that particular brand.

Efficiency - Old gas refrigerators used A LOT of propane - upwards of ¾ a gallon per day, whereas modern refrigerators use around a ¼ to ⅓ a gallon a day. This was due to the design of the absorption system not being as thermally efficient as it could be. Modern day systems are engineered to be incredibly efficient and can run for a long time while using minimal fuel. This change in fuel efficiency happened right around 1970, though improvements continue to happen over time.

Venting - The older SERVELs would have very large burners that were very inefficient with the way they burned their fuel. This would lead both to higher fuel usage and dangerous carbon monoxide (CO) buildup. Some of the worst offenders (pre 1950s) were measured to emit up to 1500 parts per million (PPM) of CO gas in very short amounts of time. In a 10 to 20-foot room, 300-400 PPM is considered dangerous and will begin to cause detrimental health effects. New fridges, however, are significantly more clean-burning due to their decreased fuel usage and increased airflow. Post 1980’s fridges, on average, will emit around 20-30 PPM, which is well below the recommended amount from appliances in a residential area. At this rate, no one should ever need to worry about CO poisoning with a modern-day propane refrigerator.

Legality - The inconvenience of having to vent an old SERVEL brand fridge could very well be enough of a reason alone to want to purchase a new EZ FREEZE refrigeration. And, if you live in Canada, it might not be a good idea to purchase a SERVEL that is pre- 1980, as it is completely illegal. In the United States, there is often a $100 disposal cost involved with these old machines too. While many people love these old fridges because they have lasted for 70+ years, they are a danger to yourself and others and should be dealt with by calling SERVAL action committee and 1-800-782-7431

If you have an old SERVEL brand gas fridge, it is time to think about getting a replacement. Modern fridges are more efficient, fast to cool your food, cheaper, lighter, and safer too. To learn more about gas refrigerators, or to shop for a new one. contact Gas-Fridge at 928-636-6674 or visit our website at http://www.gas-fridge.com

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