Even when living off-grid you’ll want to be able to keep your food and drinks cold.
Regardless of where you’re living, a refrigerator is a must for your off-grid kitchen.
Lucky for us, we can reap the benefits of a refrigerator, without needing electricity.
If you live in a cabin, an RV or other form of off-grid home, then a propane refrigerator is the solution to your problem.
A propane refrigerator uses chemical reactions to keep food cold, rather than coolant. Chambers and tubes which hold ammonia, water and hydrogen react together, keeping the refrigerator nice and cold.
Propane refrigerators are built for longevity. They are known to last a lot longer than the normal refrigerator. Also, despite being costly upfront, propane refrigerators are significantly cheaper to operate in the longer term compared to an electric one.
When searching for a propane refrigerator, you will find that there’s a lot of competing products. They can be an expensive investment so it’s important that you do your research and get the best propane refrigerator for your situation.
In this guide, I’ll be providing you with the best propane refrigerator reviews as well as in-depth comparisons. I hope that this will help you decide which refrigerator you should get for your home.
Best Compact Propane Refrigerators
Compact propane refrigerators are a good choice for those who have limited space. These refrigerators often have some sort of noise reduction feature which make for quiet operation. Here are a few of the best compact propane refrigerator reviews:
SMETA Propane Refrigerator with Freezer
This is a noiseless refrigerator that will not produce any sound, making it ideal for your living room or office. You won’t be bothered with an annoying humming that a lot of refrigerators make.
You can find this product in a variety of different styles and sizes. Click through to Amazon and you can find all the available options.
This simple single-door design allows you to place this refrigerator anywhere without ruining your homes design scheme.
This refrigerator utilizes every bit of space very effectively, allowing you to store all the food you need. It features large storage areas with slide-out storage shelves as well as a clear plastic drawer.
This is a very user-friendly product, complete with operation instructions for newbies. It also features a flame indicator, piezo ignition and thermostat.
For those of you who really care about the earth we live on, you’ll be happy to know that It this product is environmentally friendly.
Overall, this is a neat little propane refrigerator as well as a freezer. Why buy both a refrigerator and freezer when this product does both at the same time! SMETA have done a really good job designing this appliance, this is a great pick for your off-grid home.
Smad Small Propane Fridge 3 Way Refrigerator
Smad is a reputable household appliance manufacturer. They produce a wide range of appliances from refrigerators, to car and wine coolers. When purchasing one of their products, you know you’re getting value for money.
This is another great small propane refrigerator, designed for outdoor use. Very suitable for camper/RV use, as well as off-grid homes such as cabins and cottages.
This product features an absorption cooling system which makes no noise. This makes it great for small homes and spaces.
Manual temperature control provides you with full control over the temperature of the fridge.
Easy to follow instructions are provided to make operation very easy for those who have never used a propane refrigerator before.
Keep in mind that this refrigerator doesn’t include a freezer. Therefore, if you want a 2-in-1 freezer/fridge then this may not be suitable for your situation.
Overall, this is a great propane refrigerator for its price. If you’re looking for something more compact and don’t need a huge refrigerator then this is a good choice for you. I’d highly recommend it.
Smad Propane Refrigerator Off Grid Compact Refrigerator
This is another appliance by Smad. This is yet another compact propane refrigerator that provides great value for money. Though, I do think this one has a more attractive design than the previously reviewed one and it also has a freezer.
This refrigerator can run on propane as well as electric AC 110V and DC 12V. This makes it a very versatile option.
It is extremely easy to operate with digital manual controls and equipped with a gas and electric thermostat.
It features durable and easy to clean, powder coated shelves. The shelves are adjustable and removeable, making them very easy to clean.
This propane refrigerator has been designed for off-grid use, making it perfect for off-grid homes such as cabins, cottages and lodges, as well as vehicles such as campers and RVs.
Overall, this is a solid refrigerator. I slightly prefer this one over the previously reviewed Smad refrigerator because of the design and the fact that it includes a freezer.
SMETA Compact Propane Refrigerator without Freezer
Just as the other refrigerators on this list, this refrigerator is designed for off-grid living where electrical power is limited or none-existent – making it perfect for cabins, RV’s, campers and other off-grid homes and locations.
The gas consumption on this refrigerator is 0.3lbs per day and its temperature range is between 32 °F and 50 °F.
Bear in mind that this refrigerator does not include a freezer. The first SMETA product I reviewed does include a freezer so don’t get them mixed up.
This is a 3-way fridge, meaning it can not only be powered by propane but also 12V DC and 110V AC. Making it a very versatile refrigerator and usable in most situations. If you were to run out of propane gas you can still use your limited electricity to avoid spoiling your food.
The absorption cooling system ensures that the appliance is very quiet, making it suitable for smaller homes and for those who don’t want to be annoyed by loud humming throughout the day.
It is very compact and easy to transport so it’s suitable for situations where you may have to move it from place to place. It is a free-standing refrigerator that’s very easy to install.
Best Apartment Sized Propane Refrigerators
For those of you who have a bit more room in your home and need to store more food/drinks then a larger propane refrigerator may suit your needs better. Luck for you I’ve prepared the following large propane refrigerator reviews, for you:
Avanti RA7316PST
This must be one of my favorite propane refrigerators. Perfect for those who want an apartment sized refrigerator rather than a compact appliance for their off-grid home.
Interior lighting makes it very easy to see everything clearly even when using your refrigerator in the dark and at night. Regardless of the time of day, you have clear access to everything inside your fridge.
The door rack is very spacious, large enough to hold 2-liter bottles.
A cool feature of this appliance is its reversible doors, you can swing them open left or right.
It has adjustable and removeable glass shelves which makes it very easy to clean.
Ice cube tray is included, which is always nice.
Overall this is a great propane refrigerator which provides excellent value for money. With this appliance, you’re certainly getting your money’s worth. You’ll also be happy to know that this refrigerator is ADA compliant.
Domestic DM2652RB
This is one of the highest quality propane refrigerators you’re going to find. It is designed with a solid steel frame construction. You won’t find such a sturdy propane refrigerator very easily. With proper use and enough maintenance, this refrigerator could last you decades.
It has many great features such as very convenient eye-level automatic electronic controls. It also includes an adjustable shelving system as well as a three-position freezer shelf. Positive door lock handles ensure that the fridge is out of reach from kids. The door bins are removable which make them easy to clean in event of a spillage.
Overall, this is one of the best built propane refrigerators on this list. It’s also a good choice for those with a bit more room in their home. This refrigerator is more than big enough to store everything you need.
Best Portable Refrigerators/Freezers
Though not propane powered, these portable refrigerators are designed for those living or travelling in vehicles such as cars, trucks, boats, RVs and campers.
Alpicool C15 Portable Refrigerator
You can find this portable refrigerator in a wide variety of different sizes and colors. Alipicool really did a great job of providing us with many different options to choose from. This means that there is always something available that will suit your needs and preferences.
This refrigerator freezes without ice. A thick and high-density foam insulation and reliable sealing construction is used to provide you with a great deep cooling performance.
Two power cables are included to separately connect with 12/24V DC and 110V – 240V AC power inputs. This refrigerator will also function well on a small solar system too! This makes it suitable for those who don’t have access to electricity if they have a reliable solar power system. Therefore, this is a decent alternative to using a propane refrigerator.
This refrigerator is made from a durable but lightweight plastic material. This makes it strong enough to survive a beating but it’s also lightweight enough to carry around without issue.
Overall, this is a great option for those of you who are looking for a small, portable refrigerator. If you don’t have access to electricity, you can power it using a solar power system. Alpicool have a wide range of different sized units so I’m sure you’ll find the perfect fit for you.
Whynter FM-45G 45-Quart Portable Refrigerator
This is another great portable refrigerator/freezer that will keep your food and beverages chilled or frozen. Though it may just look like an ordinary beverage cooler, it’s in-fact a powerful portable freezer fridge, cooling between 50°F and -6°F.
It features an awesome “Fast Freeze” mode which rapidly cools down to -8 °F.
This refrigerator has been designed for portability and ease of access. You can conveniently bring it with you anywhere and keep your food and drinks frozen or chilled. It’s also made from a tough, solid outer casing which will keep everything inside safe.
Dual voltage means that the refrigerator can be powered by either a 12-volt power source such as an automotive battery or a standard household 110 volt. This makes it’s suitable for both off-grid homes and vehicles such as campers and RV’s.
Summary
Depending on your situation, there’s a different refrigerator for your needs. Those living in an RV or camper may find it more beneficial to get a compact propane refrigerator due to their limited amount of space. Those living in an off-grid home such as a cabin, lodge or cottage will have more room so a larger propane refrigerator may be more suitable.
We’ve also found that portable refrigerators could also work in some situations as a alternative to a propane refrigerator. If you have a strong solar power/panel system, then you may be able to generate enough power to consistently power a small portable refrigerator.
My name is Eugene Thornhill. I'm an outdoor enthusiast who loves nothing more than being one with nature. I've lived in numerous outdoor homes and even constructed my own. Living off-grid is something I'm very familiar with, more so than living in the city. For many years I've dealt with the many problems of living off-grid. It's time to pass on my knowledge through Cabinguides.