24/06/2026
I’ve been asked this question so many times today, This is for anyone that’s finding their fridge is not cooling well today.
To keep your caravan fridge cool in hot weather, you need to manage airflow and heat exchange. Caravan fridges (especially 3-way absorption models) function by transferring heat away from the unit. When ambient temperatures rise above 25°C, they drastically lose efficiency.Here is how you can help your fridge cope with extreme heat:
1. Lower the Temperature Dial Setting, Do not crank the setting to maximum. It sounds counterintuitive, but setting the fridge to its highest cooling level makes the heating element work harder. This creates excessive heat behind the fridge.Turn it down to a medium setting. Lowering the dial to about half or three-quarters capacity reduces the heat generated by the system, allowing the fridge to cool much more efficiently.
2. Improve Airflow and Ventilation, Install a 12V fridge vent fan. Fitting 12V computer-style extractor fans behind the upper external vent is one of the most effective modifications you can make. It actively pulls trapped hot air out of the rear cavity. Remove the exterior vent covers. If you are safely parked and protected from rain, pop off the plastic external vent grilles. This dramatically increases passive airflow over the condenser coils. Clear the vents. Ensure that awnings, safari tents, luggage, or open caravan doors are not blocking or trapping heat right outside the fridge vents.
