Looking for the best propane refrigerator but want to make sure you’re choosing the right option.
You came to the right spot.
Propane refrigerators have been the king of off-grid refrigeration for a long time, and it’s easy to see why. They’re reliable, efficient, and work well in an off-grid environment.
Additionally, fuel is easy to come by and safe to store, even in large quantities, making it an ideal choice.
For this article, I reviewed and tested the top 5 propane refrigerators available on the market in 2020, so you can make the most informed decision for your needs. I also included a buying guide at the bottom explaining exactly what you need to look for when choosing a propane refrigerator.
Check it out below!
For those who want a quick overview, below is our comparison table:
- Our #1 Rated Off Grid Propane Refrigerator: Smeta Compact Off Grid Propane Refrigerator (Best For Going Solo)
- Our #2 Rated Off Grid Propane Refrigerator: Smeta Upright Off Grid Propane/Electric Refrigerator (Best For Couples & Families)
- Our #3 Pick For The Best Off-Grid Propane Refrigerator: Superior Propane Refrigerator (Best For Large Families)
- Our #4 Rated Off Grid Propane Refrigerator: Smeta Gas/Electric Chest Freezer (Best Freezer Option)
Our #1 Rated Off-Grid Propane Refrigerator: Smeta Compact Off-Grid Propane Refrigerator (Best For Going Solo)
- Can run on propane, AC, or DC power
- Highly efficient and inexpensive to operate
- Easy to maintain
- Fits into a very small space
- Provides plenty of storage for a single person or a couple
- Provides 3.5 cubic feet of storage space
- Has both a refrigerator and freezer
The Smeta Compact is a propane/electric refrigerator that uses an absorptive cooling model. This makes it nearly silent whether it’s running on propane, 110 V AC power, or a 12 V DC connection.
It gives you 3.5 cubic feet of storage space including a small .4 cubic foot freezer section. It’s about the size of a standard hotel refrigerator and is big enough to hold food for a single person for a week or a couple for several days.
Its triple threat of propane, AC, and DC power options make it one of the most versatile refrigerators available. You can run it effectively in an RV, a tiny house, an off-grid cabin, or pretty much anywhere else you need refrigeration.
It can be wired directly into a small solar system, hooked through an inverter, or run on propane when the sun is down. This, combined with its compact size, makes it a very attractive refrigerator for those who like to travel frequently and stay off the grid.
It has some great reviews on Amazon, and this one sums it up very well:
If you’re looking for a propane refrigerator that’s reliable, efficient, takes up little space, with enough space for 1-2 people, this is the one you want. If you’re looking for something bigger, you’ll be better off going with our #2 or #3 option.
Specifications:
- 3.5 Cubic Feet of fridge and freezer space
- Consumes 0.15 Gallons of propane per 24 hours
- Dimensions: 20.6″W x 23.2″D x 32.2″H
- Fridge Temp: 32℉-50℉
- Freezer Temp: 0℉-32℉
Pros
- Can run on propane, AC, or DC power
- Highly efficient and inexpensive to operate
- Easy to maintain
- Fits into a very small space
- Provides plenty of storage for a single person or a couple
- Best Budget Option
Cons
- Too small for a family-sized load of groceries
Our #2 Rated Off-Grid Propane Refrigerator: Smeta Upright Off-Grid Propane/Electric Refrigerator (Best For Couples & Families)
- Provides both a fridge and freezer
- Less expensive to run than larger upright off grid refrigerators
- Fits into smaller spaces more effectively than other refrigerators
- Easy to operate and maintain
- Provides 6.1 cubic feet of storage space
The Smeta is a propane/electric refrigerator hybrid and is sized for smaller spaces. It offers both a refrigerator and freezer but takes up less space in your home.
It provides you with 6.1 cubic feet of fridge/freezer space in a smaller and lighter package. It’s several inches smaller on just about every dimension than the larger uprights on this list. This does reduce the amount of food it can hold, but it also makes it much easier to fit into something like a tiny home or off-grid cabin.
6.1 cubic feet is still plenty of space to keep a week’s groceries for a couple or smaller family. It’s smaller size also means you’ll save money on propane gas.
The Smeta compact upright requires 20% less propane than either of the other larger upright style refrigerators on our list. That can save you hundreds of dollars over its working life. The same applies when you run it on solar power mode.
Specifications:
- 6.1 Cubic Feet of fridge and freezer space
- Consumes 0.28 Gallons of propane per 24 hours
- Dimensions: 23.7″W x 25.6″D x 57.5″H
- Fridge Temp: 32℉ – 50℉
- Freezer Temp: -3.2℉
Pros
- Provides both a fridge and freezer
- Less expensive to run than larger upright refrigerators
- Fits into smaller spaces more effectively than other refrigerators
- Easy to operate and maintain
Cons
- Not large enough for most families for a week
- About as expensive as larger propane refrigerators
Our #3 Pick For The Best Off-Grid Propane Refrigerator: Superior Propane Refrigerator (Best For Large Families)
- Large fridge and freezer space
- Inexpensive to operate on either propane or electric mode
- Easy to upkeep and repair
- Includes battery-operated automatic light
- Nearly silent while running
- Provides 10 cubic feet of storage space
The Superior upright propane refrigerator is a fridge/freezer combo about the size of a standard apartment refrigerator. It’s built to run on either propane gas or 110 V AC electrical power.
It offers a generous 10 cubic feet of fridge and freezer space. This is ample room to store a week’s cold food for a family of four. Additionally, its freezer is well-sized and large enough to hold a healthy quantity of frozen pizzas, vegetables, and other delicious treats.
One of my favorite features of the Superior is its dual power design.
You can run it off your solar bank when the sun is shining and switch it over to propane when it’s not. All you have to do is flip a switch and trigger the pilot light to make the change.
It uses an absorptive cooling system that operates without a sound, perfect for small spaces like an off-grid cabin or tiny house.This also makes it easier to maintain as it has almost no moving parts.
The interior of the fridge can be rearranged as you desire with several moveable shelves and a built-in crisper drawer.
I love the battery-operated LED light. It triggers when you open the door just like a traditional fridge but works no matter what power mode it’s set to.
All in all, the Superior upright fridge offers a great combination of features, reliability, and size. While having similar energy use to its closest competitors, where it stands out is the quantity of storage space.
It is able to store more than any other propane refrigerator on the market, and when you factor in all of its amazing features, it is a no-brainer for getting our recommendation for families
Specifications:
- 10 Cubic Feet of fridge and freezer space
- Consumes 0.35 Gallons of propane per 24 hours
- Dimensions: 64″H x 24″W x 29″D
- Fridge Temp: 32℉-50℉
- Freezer Temp: -3.2℉
Pros
- Large fridge and freezer space
- Inexpensive to operate on either propane or electric mode
- Easy to upkeep and repair
- Includes battery operated automatic light
- Nearly silent while running
Cons
- Only available in white
- At 10 cubic feet of space, there are better options available.
Our #4 Rated Off-Grid Propane Refrigerator: Smeta Gas/Electric Chest Freezer (Best Freezer Option)
- Large capacity chest style freezer
- Includes built in lock hasp for securing your frozen goods
- Runs efficiently on either propane or 110 V AC
- Design is easy to maintain and built to last
- Provides 7.1 cubic feet of freezer space
The Smeta chest freezer is another propane/electric combo freezer designed for off-grid use. It’s capable of running full time on either propane gas or 110 V AC power.
It gives you 7.1 cubic feet of freezer space, plenty for storing substantial amounts of meat, veggies, or frozen meals. It’s also lockable so you can keep your winter meat supply safe from curious (or hungry) hands.
It consumes just .24 gallons of propane per day. This means you’ll be able to run it all year long for right around $200. That’s a great bargain when you consider just how much food it keeps frozen solid.
If you’re looking for a standalone off-grid freezer it’s hard to beat the value, flexibility, and reliability of the Smeta gas/electric chest freezer.
Specifications:
- 7.1 Cubic Feet of lockable freezer space
- Consumes 0.24 Gallons of propane per 24 hours
- Dimensions: 39.6″W x 28.0″D x 37.0″H
- Freezer Temp: 10°F – 32°F
Pros
- Large capacity chest-style freezer
- Includes built-in lock hasp for securing your frozen goods
- Runs efficiently on either propane or 110 V AC
- Design is easy to maintain and built to last
Cons
- Doesn’t offer any refrigeration space
- Large chest freezers can make it difficult to find individual items
Our #5 Rated Off-Grid Propane Refrigerator: Smad Propane Upright Refrigerator and Freezer
- Offers both electric or propane power options
- Uses a near silent absorptive cooling system
- Highly reliable and easy to maintain
- Includes a battery powered interior light
- Both a fridge and a freezer
The Smad upright refrigerator is an absorption style propane/electric fridge. It operates almost silently on either 110 AC power or propane gas.
It offers 9.3 cubic feet of fridge and freezer space, about the size of your average apartment refrigerator. This is plenty of space to store a week’s worth of food for your average family of four with some room left over for ice cream in the freezer.
As a dual power refrigerator, you can run the Smad continuously using either form of power.
Which is seriously so cool.
This feature makes it easy for you to switch back and forth as your energy needs require.
During sunny days, you can save on propane while switching to gas power at night or during overcast days. It’s hard to overstate how awesome it is to have that kind of flexibility for an off-grid cabin or tiny home.
I included it at the #5 spot because of how durable, flexible, and inexpensive to operate it is. Maintaining a Smad upright requires very little effort, and its combination of power options lets you change how you keep your food cold depending on conditions and availability of propane.
Specifications:
- 9.3 Cubic Feet of fridge and freezer space
- Consumes 0.35 Gallons of propane per 24 hours
- Dimensions: 23.6″W x 29.1″D x64.2″H
- Fridge Temp: 32℉-50℉
- Freezer Temp: 3.2℉
Pros
- Offers both electric or propane power options
- Uses a near-silent absorptive cooling system
- Highly reliable and easy to maintain
- Includes a battery-powered interior light
- Both a fridge and a freezer
Cons
- Requires venting when running in propane mode
- Freezer space could be a bit larger
- Priced higher than others on the list
Our #6 Pick For The Overall Best Off-Grid Propane Refrigerator: Unique UGP10CSMB
- Great storage capacity, perfect for couples and families
- Very efficient – runs for up to 60 days on a standard 20-gallon tank of propane
- Great aesthetic design – looks just like a traditional apartment refrigerator
- Ships free – a serious saving compared to other fridges
- Easy to startup and shutdown
- Has the most important safety features we look for in a propane fridge
The Unique UGP10CSMB is no different is a standing fridge/freezer combo designed to run off propane for a fully off-grid experience. It provides 7.6 cubic feet of fridge space and 2.1 cubic feet of freezer space.
That’s pretty substantial for an off-grid refrigerator, especially a propane model, and is plenty of space for a full family.
The size of the refrigerator is also very conducive to tiny home living. It’s comparable to a small apartment fridge, nearly perfect for an off-grid kitchen.
It comes in three different color options–black, stainless, and white–great for matching your fridge to your tiny home’s aesthetic.
Despite its large capacity, it consumes a relatively small amount of propane per hour.
A standard 20-gallon propane tank could operate the UGP10CSMB for up to 60 days. That’s not bad at all considering it holds enough food for your whole family plus ice cream and other frozen treats.
It includes all the most important safety features we looked for in propane refrigerators, which is a huge plus.
One thing to keep in mind with this option is that it requires full venting.
All in all, if are looking for a solid propane refrigerator as a couple or a family, the Unique UGP10CSMB is a great choice.
Specifications:
- 9.1 Cubic Feet of lockable fridge & freezer space
- Consumes 0.34 Gallons of propane per 24 hours
- Dimensions: 24″W x 28.25″D x 64.5″H
- Freezer Temp: 10°F to 32°F
Pros
- Large enough capacity for all the essentials plus some delicious treats
- Runs for up to 60 days on a standard 20 gallon tank of propane
- Looks just like a traditional apartment refrigerator, great if you want to have a more homey feel
- Ships free, a serious savings compared to some other fridges
- Easy to startup and shutdown plus has the most important safety features we look for in a propane fridge
Cons
- Probably too much fridge space for a single person
Our #7 Pick For The Best Off-Grid Propane Refrigerator: Unique UGP3SMW
- Best option for solo off-gridders
- Very efficient – Uses propane sparingly, with a 20 gallon tank lasting over 100 days
- 8olłVersatile – Can run off propane, 110V AC, or 12V DC power
- Controls are easy to use and provide safety warnings and cutoffs in case of malfunction
- Provides just enough space for one person’s supply of food
If you’re looking for a compact refrigerator with more than enough size for a solo off-gridder, this is a great option.
The Unique UGP3SMW is a compact off-grid refrigerator that offers a lot of value in a small package.
It’s actually a three-way fridge, capable of operating on propane, 110V AC, or 12V DC power. That gives you a ton of flexibility in how you power it and makes it easy to switch from one to the other as circumstances allow.
It’s definitely on the small side, offering 3.4 cubic feet of refrigerator-only space, but is adequate for up to a week’s essentials for 1, maybe 2 people.
The controls are located right on the front and are easy to figure out with just a few minutes practice. We found switching from one power source to the other to be intuitive to understand and not difficult at all to carry out.
It’s also very efficient and doesn’t consume much propane at all either. One 20 gallon tank can last well over 100 days with regular use. That means a serious cost savings for you over the long term.
All in all, the Unique UGP3SMW is my top recommendation for solo off-gridders who want an efficient, compact refrigerator with as much flexibility as possible.
Specifications:
- 3.4 Cubic feet of refrigerator space
- Consumes 0.17 Gallons of propane per 24 hours
- Dimensions: 22″W x 25″D x 32.25″H
- Freezer Temp: 10°F to 32°F
Pros
- Sips propane sparingly, with a 20 gallon tank lasting over 100 days
- Can run off propane, 110V AC, or 12V DC power
- Controls are easy to use and provide safety warnings and cutoffs in case of malfunction
- Provides just enough space for one person’s supply of food
- Expensive for its size
Cons
- Doesn’t offer freezer space
- Too small for families
How Propane Refrigerators Work
Propane refrigerators use a simple closed-loop system that contains water, ammonia, and hydrogen gas. When you heat this solution to a boil the pressure inside the tube increases and the ammonia gas rises.
When ammonia gas meets hydrogen it creates a reaction that absorbs heat. The ammonia carries heat from inside the refrigerator to the heated evaporator outside.
As heat is radiated away the ammonia cools back to a liquid state. This starts the process over again and allows your propane refrigerator to cool the interior down to refrigerated or even freezer temperatures.
Propane Refrigerator Benefits
Reliable
Propane refrigerators use an entirely closed-loop system that relies on heat rather than compression. Because of this they have no moving parts and take a long time to wear out.
You’re more likely to need to replace the hinges on the refrigerator door than you are to deal with actual mechanical failures.
Low Operating Costs
Propane refrigerators require no electricity. So long as the pilot light is lit and gas is available your fridge will keep your food cold and fresh.
This can make them very inexpensive to operate in the long term. Depending on the size of your refrigerator you’ll likely be able to power it with just 50 to 100 gallons of propane per year. The price of propane varies based on where you’re located but is usually available for between $1.50 and $3.00 per gallon.
Even assuming high prices, you can run your fridge all year long for just $150 to $300. This is competitive with modern AC powered refrigerators and matches solar refrigerators when you factor in repair and replacement costs.
Not Affected by Sunshine
Probably the biggest benefit of a propane refrigerator to an off-grid user is its independence from the sun. If you’ve got a solar refrigerator you’ll need either substantial battery supplies or a backup generator in case of cloudy weather.
During the winter months, it can be a lot harder to charge your batteries enough every day. For folks who live somewhere like off the grid somewhere like Alaska or northern Canada with periodic sunless periods, propane refrigerators are the way to go.
Portability and Safety
Propane refrigerators are one of the best options available for off-grid tiny dwellers, RV dwellers, and Vandwellers who like to travel with their homes. Tanked propane has been used in the RV community for decades and is entirely safe to drive around with.
It allows you to run your refrigerator no matter where you find yourself. You can also quickly and conveniently top up your propane tank at thousands of filling stations.
Off-Grid Propane Refrigerator Buying Guide
Sizing
When talking about any off-grid appliance you must size it to your needs. It takes the same amount of power or propane to chill a half-full refrigerator as it does a fully stuffed one.
Smaller propane fridges are less expensive, use less fuel, and fit better into the small spaces tiny dwellers work with. With propane refrigerators
Propane Consumption
The size of your refrigerator plays a major role in how much propane it consumes. Dorm-size mini fridges use the least propane while larger upright and chest fridges and freezers consume the most.
Make sure you size your propane refrigerator to your available propane storage. The last thing you want is to have to constantly refill tanks or to run out at an inopportune moment.
Lighting and Maintaining a Propane Refrigerator
Because there are no moving parts in most propane refrigerators it’s pretty easy to maintain them. Every 6 months or so it’s a good idea to safely turn off the gas and clean the pilot light and burner element.
Make sure you double-check with your manufacturer about the proper procedure before trying this yourself. They’ll be able to tell you what steps to take to turn off the gas, then relight the pilot light and turn it back on.
It’s a good idea to check the safety equipment built into your propane fridge at the same time. A thermocouple is the most commonly used one. It measures the temperature near the pilot light and automatically shuts off the gas if it detects that it’s gone out.
Dual Function Fridge
Some refrigerators include both a propane refrigeration system and a traditional AC powered one. This allows you to run it either as a full propane refrigerator or hook it up to your solar power system.
This gives you a ton of flexibility and removes most of the downsides of a solar refrigerator.
Propane Freezer, Fridge, or Combination
One of the most important decisions to make is whether you need a freezer with your refrigerator. Propane freezers are very much a thing and work just as effectively as propane refrigerators.
Many people choose to buy both a refrigerator and a freezer, especially if they have substantial farm-grown meat or hunted game to store. Propane chest freezers are available in a variety of sizes.
If you want a more traditional fridge/freezer experience I recommend you choose a freezer-on-top design. You lose a bit of space but gain in overall efficiency.
What to Take Into Consideration When Choosing Your Propane Refrigerator?
We’ve established how well these refrigerators work. We’ve also established that they come in many different sizes. You’ll want to take into account how much space you have to devote to a refrigerator.
Secondly, consider how much propane the refrigerator will consume. Most of these refrigerators mentioned above will include this information in specifications and also in the customer reviews. Certainly, some are more economic than others. Are you going to operate this appliance 24/7? How much propane will you need and do you have it readily available?
For those who have some solar power available, would it make the most sense to invest a little more and purchase a refrigerator that operates with electricity and propane, giving you a choice?
Living without a freezer, or with a very small one, might allow you to have more storage for refrigerated items while still purchasing a smaller unit. Knowing how much space you need will take some planning but is worth your time to consider.
This is also worth mentioning.
Learn other ways of storing food items, such as dehydration, smoking meats and cheeses, and canning things that can be kept in dry storage. When you learn alternative ways of storing food, refrigeration space becomes less impactful on your food storage overall.
Final Thoughts
As you can see above, knowing how much space you need is pretty crucial to picking the best propane refrigerator. There are great options available at just about every size, with highly efficient models helping to reduce your overall costs.
If you want the closest thing to a traditional fridge experience you should go for the Superior or Smad upright off-grid refrigerators. They both offer excellent features and performance, with the Superior edging out the Smad because of its greater internal capacity.
For those looking for a smaller version of a traditional upright, the Smeta combination propane/electric is the way to go. It offers similar performance to the larger fridges on the list but fits into a more compact space. If you want something even smaller, check out its smaller cousin, the Smeta Compact Refrigerator.
Further Reading: Check out our popular post on the 5 most effective gravity water filters
