Jump start a refrigerator with dry ice

[rick.rutel]

Since it normally takes four hours or more for a just turned on RV refrigerator to get cold enough to use, I was thinking of using dry ice to "jump start" the cooling process until it can hold its own. We don't have an electrical source to plug the coach into until about eight hours before we hit the road. Time is tight. We've read the precautionary information on handling and storage. Has anyone tried this and if so, how did you accomplish the task?

[Chargerman]

I don’t see why you could do that. When you buy it they usually give it to you in a bag. I would put it on something when putting it in the refrigerator so it’s not in contact with a surface. I would try 5lbs if you are just tryin to get the refrigerator side cold. If you are trying to get the freeze below freezing you might need 5 lbs for each side but keep a thermometer in the fridge side as 5 lbs might get it below freezing. Remember to never touch it. It’s so cold it will burn you.

[winniman]

When we crossed to NFLD on the ferry, they make you shut off your propane. The ferry ride is more than six hours, and can be much longer if bad weather hits. We froze water jugs ahead of time, and put them in the fridge when we boarded the ferry. It kept the fridge cold, and eventually the ice thawed and turned back into drinking water.

[twinboat]

Have you tried starting the fridge yo see how long it takes ?

Residential fridges cool pretty quick. Besides the cold food will give it a boost too.

PS, you fridge won't run for 8 hours on battery ?

[Gary RVRoamer]

Dry ice works, but frozen jugs of water does the job as well. In addition, make sure the food & beverages are all well-chilled when you put them in. If you do that, 8 hours of fun time should be plenty.


You didn't mention whether RV absorption fridge or residential. If an RV fridge, start it sooner on propane & battery - you can easily run for days that way. If it's a residential fridge, it will get cold in a couple hours anyway so none of this applies anyway.

[aguablanco]

I have used dry ice over the years in my coolers for rafting trips with success. However, the insides of my coolers all turned yellowish and I believe that the dry ice is responsible. You may find that is not true in your case.
RichH

[Ron Postma]

If you use dry ice don"t leave it in the frig when you are in the coach. The co2 can displace the oxygen and could suffocate you.

[Kahoona]

We have used it and it worked great. Got a five pounder from the same grocery store we stocked out fridge at. We broke it in half and put one half atop the ice cream in the freezer and the other on the top rack of the fridge. No problems at all. CO2 is heavier than air. It will pool in the lower areas. Opening and closing of the door under normal circumstances should be plenty to let it out but at night , if the dry ice is not all gone, I would crack a vent and run a small fan set on the floor, specially if you have a kitty.

[rick.rutel]

What did you use to store the dry ice in inside the refrigerator?

[Mudfrog]

We start our frig on propane about an hour before hitting the road. What works, at least for us, is to load it up with the cold food that we're taking on the trip. The ice cream may be a bit soft for a couple of hours but it's not long after that the frig meets set temperature.

[TLGPE]

I usually just get a 10 pound bag of ice at the grocery store. Put it in a pan to catch the water and let it chill things down. Costs about 2 bucks.

Cheap, easy and safe.

Tom

[Ray,IN]

I have used dry ice to "jump start" my RV fridge in the past when my house battery for the TT was failing. When I had a good house battery in the TT the fridge will run on LP and battery power for 3-4 days without depleting the battery in the old TT.

Originally Posted by rick.rutel

What did you use to store the dry ice in inside the refrigerator?

You may simply lay it on the top fridge shelf or lay it in the freezer, it is -20°F in frozen state.(leave in packaging) As it warms it instantly converts to a gas.https://www.chillistick.com/dryicefaq.html
HOWEVER! Never touch it with bare skin! Wear heavy leather gloves when handling dry ice, it will burn you just as much as a red-hot horseshoe, and is just as painful.
Ron Postma is correct too.

[Bahamaniac]

We just usually use a bag of regular ice to get the fridge cold. No need for dry ice.

[rick.rutel]

Thanks for the information. Much appreciated!