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How to Use Dry Ice in an RV Fridge

How to Use Dry Ice in an RV Fridge
Dry ice isn't the best long-term solution for keeping your RV fridge cool, but in an emergency, to preserve power or while waiting for a repair part if your RV fridge is broken, it can rescue your frozen food supply and save the day. Understanding how it works is the key to using dry ice in an RV fridge without damaging anything.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:
  • One 10 pound block of dry ice Insulated gloves or tongs Newspaper
  • One 10 pound block of dry ice
  • Insulated gloves or tongs
  • Newspaper
Step 1
Unplug or turn off the RV fridge. Dry ice is very cold and can break your RV thermostat. Unless you plan to replace the entire unit, it's best to protect the thermostat from the effects of severe cold.
Step 2
Move everything from the top shelf of your RV fridge to the bottom shelves. Cool air sinks, so put the dry ice on the top shelf. Don't worry about it dripping onto your food, dry ice doesn't melt. It sublimates, which means that it turns back into carbon dioxide.
Step 3
Pick up the brick of dry ice using protective insulated gloves, or tongs. Lay the dry ice on a stack of three or sheets of newspaper, or a brown paper grocery bag. Wrap the dry ice loosely, tucking the ends of the paper beneath it.
Step 4
Place the dry ice on the top shelf of the fridge. Items closest to the dry ice and directly beneath it are likely to freeze, so place the things you want frozen just beneath the dry ice.

If your RV fridge vents at the top, this will change the flow of carbon dioxide and you'll need to customize an approach that works best for your situation.
Step 5
Close the fridge. Replace the dry ice every 24 hours as needed.

Tips & Warnings

 
Be sure that your fridge vents to the outside of the RV. Carbon dioxide can cause difficulty breathing and even death.

Article Written By Lisa Russell

Lisa Russell has been a freelance writer since 1998. She's been published in "Rethinking Everything Magazine," "Playdate" and "Home Educator's Family Times." She has a professional background in education, cosmetology and the restaurant industry. Russell studied early childhood education at Antelope Valley College, and is pursuing a degree in law.

Write for Trails.com

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