In continuation of our “Top Appliances for Tiny House RVs” blog series, this week we are going to focus on our recommendations for chilling your leftovers – refrigerators! Click here for our post on “Top Laundry Units” and here for “Top Manufactured Composting Toilets.” So let’s get started. Grab a beverage, because we are serving up some food for thought!

In our Ready-Made Tiny House RVs we prefer to use one of the first two options on this list, depending on the size requested by our customer. Our build team at The Shed Yard has tested these units for quality and energy consumption. Both of our recommended refrigerators are more energy efficient that the majority of models on the market today, which is a valuable factor to consider when shopping for tiny home appliances.

Our Two Favorite Refrigerators:

1). Edgestar – Model # CRF320SS

Photo of Tumbleweed Elm-18 Equator with a Edgestar 2.3 cubic ft. Refrigerator
  • Retail: $229.00 (as of 8/22/2014)
  • Size: 3.1 cubic ft. / Dimensions: 33 1/2″ H x 19″ W x 19 3/4″ D
  • Weight: 57 lbs.
  • Power: 115 V/ 75 W/ 0.64 A
  • Separate refrigerator and freezer compartments

2). Avanti – Model # RA7316PST

refrigerators
Photo of Tumbleweed Cypress-24 Equator with Avanti 7.4 cubic ft. Refrigerator
  • Retail: $449 (as of 8/22/2014)
  • Size: 7.4 cubic ft. / Dimensions: 56″ H x 21.5″ W x 23″ D
  • Weight: 92 lbs.
  • Input Voltage: 110 V/60 Hz
  • Separate refrigerator and freezer compartments

A few more options used by tiny house RV owners

Dometic – Model# 2354

  • Retail: $749 (as of 8/22/2014)
  • Size: 3 cubic ft. / Dimensions: 29-3/4″ H x 20-1/2″ W x 21-3/8″ D
  • Weight: 71 lbs.
  • Power: 3-Way (12V DC/110V AC/LP Gas) *
  • Separate refrigerator and freezer compartments

*Propane power allows for off-grid usage

Photo credit: Dometic

 

Danby – Model # DAR195BL

  • Retail: $139.99 (as of 8/22/2014)
  • Size: 1.8 cubic ft. / Dimensions: 19.7″ H x 17.5″ W x 19.6″ D
  • Weight: 48 lbs.
  • Power: 90 W/1.2 A
  • No freezer

Photo credit: Compact Appliance

 

 

 

Chest Refrigerator – Multiple Models & Manufacturers 

It’s difficult to detail the specs on this particular option, as there are so many varieties of chest refrigerators. Tumbleweed Workshop presenter Art Cormier‘s tiny home RV is outfitted with a Dometic chest refrigerator (pictured above). He has also cleverly secured a cutting board to the top lid, effectively hiding the unit.

Check back soon for more appliance recommendations!

Jenna BioJenna Spesard built a Tumbleweed Tiny House RV in 2014 and traveled with it for one year. She now lives simply in Mt. Hood Tiny House Community. For more information on her lifestyle, check out her informative blog: Tiny House Giant Journey.