Q. Do I need electricity to operate a propane refrigerator or freezer?
A. No. All the brands we carry ignite and run without electrical power. When purchasing a propane refrigerator, the ideal models do not include electrical options. A true off-grid propane refrigerator runs only on propane. Adding electricity to a propane fridge only complicates its operation, makes it more difficult to service, and decreases the cooling unit’s lifespan. The ignition is Piezo-type and self-powered.
Q. What is Piezo Ignition?
A. This is a self-powered sparker ignition. It’ similar to most BBQ grills. No electricity is required.
Q. What is a heat rod?
A. An off-grid propane fridge uses absorption technology for cooling. This technology requires heat to boil the liquid chemicals inside the sealed system. If your 2-way or 3-way propane fridge includes an electrical option, the heat rod produces the required heat by using electricity instead of propane. The heat rod uses a lot of power, up to 350 watts. It is not solar-friendly and shortens the life of the cooling unit. We do not recommend or sell units that include an electrical option.
Q. Can I lay the propane refrigerator down to transport it?
A. Yes, you can lay an EZ Freeze refrigerator on its left side, which is also the burner side, when transporting it. As long as you lay it on the correct side, you only need to let the fridge stand upright for 1 hour before lighting the flame. If you happen to lay it on the wrong side, please refer to your owner’s manual to follow the “burping” procedure.
Q. When do I need to defrost my propane fridge?
A. All EZ Freeze propane fridges are “manual defrost”. However, all EZ Freeze fridges come with an “EZ Defrost System”. When the absorber fins inside the refrigerator compartment are iced over, and there is no space between them, it is time to defrost. Turning the thermostat down all the way counter-clockwise to the lowest setting before bed and letting it run overnight at this setting will usually defrost the fridge sufficiently. Remove remaining sheets of ice in the morning. Then turn the thermostat back to the previous setting. Read more info here.
Q. Should there be an odor coming from the flue exhaust on my propane refrigerator?
A. No. The odor is usually from a “foul flame” – debris in the burner – and the burner and flue need to be cleaned. See Propane Gas Fridge Maintenance DVD. In some cases, when a new fridge is used for the first time, you may encounter an odor for the first day or 2 due to residue burning from the coils. If you smell ammonia inside the fridge compartment, freezer compartment, or anywhere around the fridge, then the sealed system may have a leak. Consult your dealer.
Q. My propane fridge will light but won’t stay lit, what’s wrong?
A. Most of the time, when the flame goes out on a propane refrigerator, and it cannot be re-lit, the safety valve called the thermocouple has gone out. We’ve made a quick video explaining how to replace the thermocouple on your EZ Freeze. You can also call one of our technicians at 928-636-1955 to purchase a replacement part or to troubleshoot over the phone.
Q. How do I set up my new propane fridge?
A. Please see our article “Setting up your new gas refrigerator“.
Q. How do I maintain my propane refrigerator?
A. Please see our article “maintenance for gas refrigerators” or purchase a maintenance DVD for Consul-Danby, Diamond or EZ Freeze.
