Buying & Using a Boat Refrigerator

Boat refrigerators just aren't like "land" refrigerators. Smaller, oddly shaped and often with little to no freezer space or organization.

Make your fridge work for you -- whether it's front- or top-loading, and no matter how tiny!

Reduce What’s In The Refrigerator

Published on May 3, 2020; last updated on January 28, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

Three ways to reduce what’s in the refrigerator — essential for living with a small refrigerator, whether in a boat, RV or off the grid.

Published on January 8, 2019; last updated on January 28, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

The Isotherm Cruise 130 Elegance uses less energy and needs defrosting less often than the Cruise 130 Classic. Learn all the improvements here.

Published on March 27, 2018; last updated on December 13, 2023 by Nica Waters

Five great ideas that make living – and cooking – in a small space a lot easier.

Published on July 29, 2015; last updated on January 28, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

There are a lot of boat refrigerators out there. How’d we come to choose the one we did?

Published on July 1, 2015; last updated on January 28, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

A simple way to know what’s in the refrigerator and what needs to be eaten soon. Save money and don’t waste food with this easy solution.

Published on November 17, 2014; last updated on January 24, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

A few minutes of maintenance can save a much bigger — and more expensive — repair.

Published on December 30, 2013; last updated on January 28, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

If you’re away from your boat, how do you know if the refrigerator is staying as cold as it should? Here’s an easy way to tell.

Published on August 2, 2013; last updated on January 28, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

An inexpensive indoor/outdoor thermometer could save hundreds of dollars of food by alerting you to a problem before the food is spoiled.

Published on July 1, 2013; last updated on January 28, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

Not a how-to — I’m not enough of an expert for that. But a few things that we learned along the way and weren’t in any how-to book we ever consulted!

Published on June 17, 2013; last updated on March 4, 2026 by Carolyn Shearlock

Got a top-loading boat refrigerator? Get step-by-step instructions how to organize it perfectly for your needs, including lots of pictures.