We used to have a small one in a cabin we had years ago. Retirement beckons and the simple life is calling. I'd rather not go solar and have to deal with building up a battery bank, panels, inverter, ect... Thinking more like propane refrigerator, kitchen stove and gas lights for the house. But this is about refrigerators; Who actually uses them ? What do you like about yours ? What do you not like about yours ? How much gas might one use (roughly 18 cu.ft.)
18 cu ft is ambitious. I only just recently saw an ad for one that size. Most rv refrigerators are much smaller. Oh btw rv refrigerators run on 120vac or propane gas, and use 12vdc for gas igniter. They also often have an auto transfer switch with ac as primary mode and gas as backup. My propane/120vac rv frig crapped out right after I got this rv, and I replaced it with a straight 120vac one so I cannot address your propane usage question..
Mine was dead upon arrival (small qube). I ripped it out, capped the gas line, and installed a slightly larger dorm sized 120vt fridge.
There are still absorption units available. They cool the same as rv types on propane but without the 12volt igniters. most use basically a large pilot flame to do the job. Seems I've read somewhere about a solar absorption unit also. RV reefers are a bad choice in my own experience as the electronics are always taking a dump.
Small 10cf unit uses 20-30# per month , needs the burner area cleaned every year plus , Were going to solar due to propane is great to cook with 30# every 6 to 8 months , but the fridge eats it.
The technology involved is Hydrogen over Ammonia in a Sealed Unit. They are Heat Powered, and the Heat Source can be "Anything" including Propane Flame, 120Vac Heater Coil, 12Vdc Heater Coil, or just about any other Heat Source including a small Camp Fire. I have one in my Beach Cabin that is called a "Three Way" Propane/120Vac/12Vdc built by Domestic. Has a nice freezer unit in the Top. It uses 120Vac first if available, then 12Vdc if that is available, then Propane, last... They are not the most efficient Refer units in the world, but they are easy to operate.
My 32' "home office" apparently rips through 60lbs in a cold weekend for propane heat/stove/fridge/water heater. I'm quite concerned actually...it's all controlled by remote control.. (like a tv remote) and I haven't figured out if I can even control it manually... I'll be testing this winter for sure and throwing in some electric space heaters if that is the case for propane usage. Haven't ran the fridge on propane yet myself...spose I should just to make sure it works....
Buy a propane detector , 12V & battery types . Use soap (dishwashing sunlight & water in heavy soap /water) leak check every fitting . see if rest pressure remains if all units are off . Just some basic stuff & then figure it OUT , you need to get a handle on this . I have propane in house , cabin , camper/MH & sailboat
MG, that does sound excessive. In crude terms, that's about 5 gallons a day which is only slightly less than I use for the whole 1400 sq ft house. As Sloth suggests, it's leak chasing time.
I have been using DuraFlame Quartz Infared space heaters in 27 and 38 foot rv for several years. They get the job done for much less than propane (cost to maintain same heat level 1/4 to 1/3 the cost of propane). Of course this is 120vac .... some examples and consumer reports. ... quartz infrared heaters consumer reports - Bing Duraflame 10HM4126-0107 information from Consumer Reports Read the reviews. I have nothing but praise for the DuraFlame units
Got one in the RV. Makes a HUGE difference when off the grid for months. Works fine. Got years on it.
I'll have to go out and check tonight or tomorrow. The RV was built in western Canada. The fridge is small.