What do you do with your fridge between trips?

[Mik01]

Hi there,
Just got back from a week away. Cleaned new fridge, wiped out with eucalyptus spray, and have left the door up to dry out, and turned off.
So what way do you keep yours between trips?
Should I turn off and close up until next trip, leave running permanently, or turn on periodically and air it out. I'm worried it might get stale and musty inside, or mouldy seals if left closed up.

Not sure if there is the 'right way' that won't harm the longevity of the fridge. Thanks

Mike

[D4D]

When not in use, I run my Waeco a weekend a month. Otherwise I keep the lid on and give it an occasional wipe with citrus cleaner.

[Trex_s4m1]

Mine is my beer fridge now. Got rid of the big one as it was a waste of space

[Landyline]

Leave it in the shed with the lid propped open slightly.
I used to leave the lid propped on the two latches (Waeco CF80) but the lid has a bow in it now. I don't know if that contributed as Waeco fridges of various sizes are known for it. It is enough to strain and crack the latches so I doubt it seals properly anymore.

It's the last Waeco I will ever pay for so I don't try too hard to look after it

[6knights]

Mine mostly sits in the garage with the lid proped open with the lid latch (ARB fridge) that keeps it aired out and frees up space in the tug.

[geopaj]

As per the others, I leave mine with the lid propped open (I use three Duplo blocks  ).

I think it's a good idea to run them at least monthly for a few hours (or leave on full time).

[smokescreen]

One of my fridges lives on the back of my ute and never gets turned off I have a solar panel on the roof to keep the battery topped up and my Engel serves as a drinks fridge when it's not used for camping it does help that I live in a company house and don't have to pay for power otherwise I would probably turn it on for one day of the month to keep everything moving.

[Tractor88]

I use mine as a drinks fridge full time when not away in the trailer. Our Waeco has been going now full time for over 4 years. Not a prob and wiped out and cleaned every couple of months. I was once told by a bloke that a healthy fridge is never turned off and left to sit. So far he has been correct. Luv my Waeco.   

[oldmate]

Mine is in the garage with beer between trips, the one in the trailer gets cleaned and door left open.

[Mik01]

Great replies, thanks.

So, leave it running or store with lid open slightly and run periodically.

Hmmmm. Might store it. Seems a waste of electricity to run for no reason. As long as it doesn't cause long term damage...

[Supersi]

Be careful with fridges that have plastic lids (any brand) when leaving them propped open, they do warp as mentioned by Landyline.

[RebsWA]

Be careful with fridges that have plastic lids (any brand) when leaving them propped open, they do warp as mentioned by Landyline.

Mmmm, bold statement IMO.

[IanC]

This is going to sound strange but hang a new teabag inside it after you have cleaned it out.  Wife does this with all our eskies, the waeco and engel and even keeps a couple hanging in the kitchen fridge.  Stops odours..  Strange but true.... 

[Doug.b]

I have two waeco's, I clean them when I get home and leave the lid fully open for 24 to 48 hrs and then close them up.
Never had any problems with mould or smell.

Doug

[kiva]

I give the inside of the fridge a wipe out to remove excess moisture and then leave the lid slightly ajar, propped open slightly with a rolled up chux cloth. The fridge remains unpowered until the next camping trip.

[Patr80l]

My Engel stays in the car and runs continuously (for 20 years) although in really hot weather if the car is not being driven I turn it off with the lid propped open.  Otherwise it does drain the battery.

[Jakster1]

I have a 40L engel that lives permanently in the back of the patrol. It gets turned on probably a few times a week for shopping and day trips on the weekend. Rarely comes out of the car, it's probably about 3 years old and havent had any problems with mould or mildew or anything and i live in a climate that everthing goes mouldy if left out. Gets cleaned out every now and again and aired for a few hours/overnight.

[Young Camping Family]

Same as Doug. Ours is a 3 way so it may be different to others. I wipe it out after use, leave the lid open to dry fully (couple of days) then close it til next use (the last trips were a year apart and no odour or mould). If there is no moisture and no leftover food bits mould can't grow.

[Steffo1]

My 40 litre Engel doubles as the deck beer fridge when not in the vehicle so runs 24 hours. It's coming up to 30 years old with original seals. I'm not saying having it on helps the seals but just making an observation.
The 3 way in the camper we leave off & ajar until 2 days before use.
Steffo

[JD-120]

waeco 80 ltr just sits in the living room turned on. gives us extra fridge space.

[ozstickman]

My engel is my extra beer/rum fridge when it isn't being used for camping.


Sent from my Ring-a-ding-a-ling

[Bird]

When Dan's died and he took it in for repairs (right on the limit of warranty) they asked how often he ran it..

he was told at LEAST once a month for warranty - its in the manual for the Engel and shows Dan that... dunno if it still is..

[chester ver2.0]

The Waeco 80 stays in the back of the ute however it will have to stay at the service agent fr this week as the thermostat has packed it in

[Axl]

When Dan's died and he took it in for repairs (right on the limit of warranty) they asked how often he ran it..

he was told at LEAST once a month for warranty - its in the manual for the Engel and shows Dan that... dunno if it still is..

Yep Engel manual suggests running them at least once a month, so if I haven't been camping I turn mine on for a few days and use it as a beer fridge.

For storage I simply wipe out all the moisture leave the lid open for a day or two then close it once I'm happy it is dry.

[speewa158]

1 of my Engals is never warm as it cycled with tinnies weather at home or at camp . The 2nd has a gut full of beer  , chilled in case of extended requirements of No1