How long will fridge run on propane?

[CamperNewb]

New camping trailer owner here, we are planning our first trip. We have a 2.7 cu. ft. refrigerator. How long can we expect a tank of propane to last when using it to cool the refrigerator? We will be running it on propane for more than 24 hours due to travel plans and stopping overnight without a place to hook up. Thx!

[mark5w]

Running your RV's refrigerator on propane for 24 hours to get it cold will barely use any propane. In fact on your trip you can run your RV's fridge for several weeks before you will even see the propane gauge show any change

[Papa-T]

Agree I’ve camped for two weeks at a time running my fridge and using the stove to cook. When you use your furnace during cold weather will make a difference, but just your fridge and stove you should do well for two weeks easy.

[dagst1]

Welcome! You should be good for about a week but I understand your concern with just one 20# propane bottle. You could carry a extra one just in case or change over to a 2 bottle rack. Then if you run out you have a extra bottle on hand.

Happy Camping!!!

[Aceallenk]

One 20 pound bottle use to last 9 days when were running everything propane. That is fridge, water heater, and furnace on overnight with 10 above celsius nights . We now camp a little different and get a couple weeks and normally switch the water heater to electric after our showers and sometimes just leave it off till next morning, as water stays hot enough all day for the few dishes to wash. The furnace we also leave off over night and if it's quite chilly in morn turn on the furnace to take the bite out and also use the fireplace afterwards in the morn. Now if I throw you a guess as to how long a fridge would operate on a 20lb bottle alone would be an easy month, remember this is just a guess however..

[Dougmcp]

Here's the theory part:
Each gal of propane equals 91,333 BTU.
A 20 lb propane tank holds about 4.7 gal for a total of 430,000 BTU when full.
My fridge use 1,500 BTU's per hr or 36,000 BTU per day on propane.
Divide the total BTU by usage equals 11.9 days of constant use per 20 lb propane tank.

[Dwreefs]

Little fridge like that I would bet you would get a month out of 20 lbs. probably 3 weeks with hot water heater