What is a 12V Fridge Condenser?

1. Wire on tube

You might remember these from the back of Grans old Kelvinator! They are a big, black wire grid.

We like this type of condenser as they have the most air flow around them, which leads to the best efficiency for our fridges.

Other reasons we choose this style condenser is they make less noise and get way less dust and fluff build up over time, so no cleaning or maintenance is ever required. Win / win.

2. Wire on plate

Also known as finned or radiator-style condensers, these look just like your car radiator. Lots of small metal fins spaced very closely together.

These are actually the most efficient for the small amount of space they take up, so they are great for tight spots like drinks fridges in a cafe.

However on the downside, finned condensers are very prone to dust and fluff buildup because of the small gaps between the fins. This makes them unsuitable for camping, caravans or anywhere dust is an issue. For this reason alone we do not use any wire on plate condensers.

3. Built in

Built in, or surface-mount condensers are most commonly found in home refrigerators only.

The condenser piping is actually built in behind the back or sides of the metal fridge cabinet itself. So the whole back or side of the fridge gets hot. This is fine for residential use where there is a lot of air flow around the fridge, but in a caravan or camping situation, no-one wants their whole fridge cabinet heating up. We give this type a miss too.