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Deleting Microwave to add a larger fridge

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 11:29 pm
by jb1rd73
Has anyone done this? We do not use the micro and a larger fridge seems appealing. Wondering if it is worth the expense or would a good yeti type cooler be a better option and just use the micro space as more storage?????? Thoughts, suggestions, comments???

Re: Deleting Microwave to add a larger fridge

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2014 7:15 am
by skater
Not a bad idea - I rarely used the microwave the first few years I had the van, until I met my now-wife who eventually started using it to make a few dishes. We used it for storage otherwise, of course. In fact we still use the one in the trailer for that purpose - potato chips are easy to store in it.

One thing I would check first - some newer fridges have thinner walls but the same insulation ability (due to better materials, I guess) that expand the storage capacity of the fridge without increasing the exterior size of it. It might be a simple compromise.

Otherwise, not only do you have to remove the shelf the microwave sits on, but you also have to remove the back for airflow across the fridge's coils. I'm not sure how much modification that would entail to the cabinets. The microwave should be relatively easy to remove to check the situation back there.

Re: Deleting Microwave to add a larger fridge

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2014 12:29 pm
by lido14co
Might need to put a larger fridge vent on the outside of the van. How about supplementing your fridge with a 12 volt car cooler?
http://www.target.com/p/koolatron-kool- ... fgods74ASg


Cliff

Re: Deleting Microwave to add a larger fridge

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2014 12:38 pm
by jb1rd73
thanks for the input Cliff, I am really just looking to maximize space and utility. One way or another the Micro is coming out as it just takes up space. As far as a car cooler goes I would most likely just invest in a Yeti cooler that way I can use it on the River too :)

Re: Deleting Microwave to add a larger fridge

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 11:43 am
by jb1rd73
There are two possible options that should work size wise with slight modification (Norcold 510 and the Dometic RM2554) but what worries me is that they have top mounted controls not bottom mounted like the current fridge. The other issue is they are around $1100 before shipping 8O I can't justify that much money for not a huge gain in space/utility when the fridge I have still works. So I am just going to buy the super insulated cooler and delete the microwave in favor of storage.