A simple look at how a propane refrigerator works

If you're heading off-grid or live in a remote cabin, you've probably wondered exactly how a propane refrigerator works without a single plug or battery in sight. It feels a bit like a magic trick at first. You light a tiny flame at the bottom of the unit, and somehow, the inside of the box gets cold enough to keep your milk fresh and your beer chilled. It's completely counterintuitive—using heat to create cold—but the science behind it is actually pretty brilliant and surprisingly old. ...

February 18, 2026 · 6 min · Edmondson Pathmanathan