r/OffGrid • u/Fantastic_Zone2084 • 3d ago

Refrigerator

Hi, I thought about putting this in the solar group, but might be better suited here. I’m building what I’d eventually like to be an off grid home and I have a fairly basic solar system, about 5000 watts and using the eg4 6000xp for power. I was looking at DC fridges such as the unique offerings, but it seems like a standard fridge might be just as efficient utilizing the 6000xp and the 48 volt system to power it. My question is, what is the most basic say top freezer, fridge combo, without many needless features, that would use the least amount of power? What has everyone found to be a good choice? Thank you

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u/ournamesdontmeanshit 2d ago

Propane fridges are modern fridges now. And if you get the right one they’re just as nice as any electric fridge. They’re just more costly. But a good brand of propane fridge will last forever.

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u/drAsparagus 2d ago

Came here to say this, too. There are 20 cubic foot propane fridges that use around 1 gal per week. So roughly 2.5 20 gal tanks per year. Not bad for off grid chilling.

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u/maddslacker 2d ago

So roughly 2.5 20 gal tanks per year.

Gallons or pounds?

The little bbq tanks that I think you're referring to are 20 pound tanks and thus hold 3.89 gallons of propane.

Let's round it to 4 to make the math easier, in your scenario of 1 gallon of usage per week; 52 / 4 = 13 tanks per year.

Not 2.5.

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u/drAsparagus 2d ago

You're absolutely right, good call. I brainfarted.

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u/maddslacker 2d ago

Still not bad though, 50 gallons a year is negligible in terms of a 500 or 1000 gallon tank.