Replacement Refrigerator Thread - Vitrifrigo vs. Norcold vs. etc....

Boat Guy

Well-Known Member
May 15, 2013
2,289
Who knows? Could be Cali, Oahu, Florida, Annapolis
Boat Info
400 DA
Engines
CAT 3116s
I've seen and read many "I need to replace my refrigerator" threads...In fact, I might have even started one years ago. The prevailing consensus is Vitrifrigo > Norcold...

So, when I did my replacement, I opted for Vitrifrigo... Now, as you know, none of this would be a big deal if it was easier to get the units in and out of the boat...Why it's such a commitment is, for most of us, you have to pull stairs and cabinets apart to do the replacement...

With this in mind, I offer a converse opinion and my experience...

Bottom line is if I had to do it all over again, I'd go with the Norcold that lasted a decade or so...

Reasons:

1. The Norcold bottom bin was much better than the BS two containers Vitrifrigo uses.

2. I was also able to store more food in the Norcold.

3. The Vitrifrigo frosts up on the ceiling of the fridge section like no-one's business... I had about a 2" thick block form... I can live aboard for awhile. So, I'm utilizing the fridge...I don't use it for an over-night or weekend trip...I use it for weeks at a time.

4. The door trays were deeper on the Norcold so you could put larger items in them.

Below, I've taken some comments from a group of sailboats I'm a part of to give you an idea of their experiences.

"I haven't been very happy with my Vitrifrigo freezer or fridge units from factory. They seem to sweat a lot in certain temps/humidity. Our Fridge unit has a small freezer that has always frosted shut quite quickly, plus it begans to ice up on the bottom side and then continually drips moisture. because we have a large freezer we rarely use it.."

"we've had the same issues. very difficult to combat even if you insulate the gaps above the fridge and the door. Opening it regularly obviously lets a lot of humidity in. maybe someone else has a good suggestion but we just wipe the inside regularly and chip the ice away. Definitely don't let it get too close the thermostat, it will make it hard to remove the ice and it will cause it to switch off."

"We are NOT impressed with Vitfrigo refrigerators
They are not energy efficient due to poorly insulated with lots of ice and water build up.Our brand new unit died 13 months after purchase and the company DID NOT STAND by their product. Has a 12 month warranty. We had to jump through all kinds of hoops to get them to agree to at least cover the cost of replacement parts. The service manager was surley on the phone and could have cared less. WE WILL never purchase any products from this company again."

"We had Vitfrigos' on our 420 and hated them. Lagoon smartened up and put Frigonauticas' on or 450. Not much ice and a nice drain when you do need to defrost."

So, basically, I'm not alone in dealing with the issue...I have included a picture of what can happen.

Note: This is not my fridge, as mine has separate doors and fridge/freezer sections. But the issue is the same.

fridge.jpg
 
We replaced our Norcold on our 460 Dancer and the new one lasted 20 months. Luckily they ha e a 24 month warranty so when the compressor stopped working they paid for replacement parts and 2.5 hrs labor to repair. Working fine again and hope this time it lasts longer.
 
Timely post. I've been looking at fridges...not a whole lot of feedback out there.

I have a Norcold DE-461 from 2001, door handle broke..no parts. Hate to have to replace due to a $75 part, but it does have other issues, frosting up being my major complaint (likely due to door not tightly shut from broken door handle).

I think there are a couple other options to Norcold and Vitrifrigo, namely Isotherm and Nova Cool. Here's my comparison so far, adding to it as I come to things. I was leaning Vitrifrigo, but the Isotherm is of interest with a separate compressor/thermostat in the freezer. I said this in another thread..I want a freezer that freezes and a fridge that doesn't.


Capture.PNG
 
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Timely post. I've been looking at fridges...not a whole lot of feedback out there.

I have a Norcold DE-461 from 2001, door handle broke..no parts. Hate to have to replace due to a $75 part, but it does have other issues, frosting up being my major complaint (likely due to door not tightly shut from broken door handle).

I think there are a couple other options to Norcold and Vitrifrigo, namely Isotherm and Nova Cool. Here's my comparison so far, adding to it as I come to things. I was leaning Vitrifrigo, but the Isotherm is of interest with a separate compressor/thermostat in the freezer. I said this in another thread..I want a freezer that freezes and a fridge that doesn't.


View attachment 70737

The only thing about NovaKool that is a pain is each unit is built to order. It took like 7 weeks to get the one I put in my cockpit. Love the unit, but a long wait.

Bennett
 
Timely post. I've been looking at fridges...not a whole lot of feedback out there.

I have a Norcold DE-461 from 2001, door handle broke..no parts. Hate to have to replace due to a $75 part, but it does have other issues, frosting up being my major complaint (likely due to door not tightly shut from broken door handle).

I think there are a couple other options to Norcold and Vitrifrigo, namely Isotherm and Nova Cool. Here's my comparison so far, adding to it as I come to things. I was leaning Vitrifrigo, but the Isotherm is of interest with a separate compressor/thermostat in the freezer. I said this in another thread..I want a freezer that freezes and a fridge that doesn't.


View attachment 70737

If you're considering doing the install yourself you may want to add a row to your sheet for relative pain associated with getting the new unit through the door. From what I've pieced together both here and via one real-world experience (not my boat) the Norcold 0061 is the least invasive install process relative to the cabin door/stairs/cabinet.

I'm slowly learning that the install pain level seems to be more related to how much stuff can be easily removed from the new fridge and is less about it's overall size (within reason) since they are all very close.

Ohh and the Norcold will ship free to your local West Marine. :)
 
View attachment 70786 View attachment 70787 View attachment 70788 View attachment 70786 I recently replaced both fridges on my '07 320 DA with Norcold units from Hodges Marine. Found them online after talking directly with Dometic. Their customer service was second to none! They were very helpful and gave me the exact dimensions of the refrigerators originally installed and the corresponding replacements. After ordering from www.HodgesMarine.com my refrigerators showed up within 3 days!

Even though they were the exact match the mounting holes were slightly different and minimal modification was needed to install. Mainly the new models use hidden screws on the inside which places them further back than the surface mount on the old units. Notice the galley fridge is now flush mounted? I wanted to do the same installation in the cockpit but the new fridge is too deep so I had to mount it proud as was the old unit. Nice feature of the new fridge, it can be mounted either way, four screws changes the bezel position and moves the fridge in or out depending on your installation.

One important thing to keep in mind, Norcold does not supply a power cable. The older models are hardwired in, the new use a quick connect power cord which has to be purchased separately. Dometic says they ship worldwide and the plug configuration will vary based on final destination.
 

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Timely post. I've been looking at fridges...not a whole lot of feedback out there.

I have a Norcold DE-461 from 2001, door handle broke..no parts. Hate to have to replace due to a $75 part, but it does have other issues, frosting up being my major complaint (likely due to door not tightly shut from broken door handle).

I think there are a couple other options to Norcold and Vitrifrigo, namely Isotherm and Nova Cool. Here's my comparison so far, adding to it as I come to things. I was leaning Vitrifrigo, but the Isotherm is of interest with a separate compressor/thermostat in the freezer. I said this in another thread..I want a freezer that freezes and a fridge that doesn't.


View attachment 70737

I think it was Ken (Humph) that posted about his replacement a while back and he mentioned that the unit he chose was pretty easy to get in the cabin once he removed the doors and hinges. The fridge he installed looked pretty nice in stainless with a nice flange.
I keep my fingers crossed every time I read one of these threads that my original Norcold will keep on going.
 
+1 buying from Hodges. I’ve purchased my radar mount and Quantum 2 radomes from them. I had an issue with the unit and returned for another unit...Hodges was great, good communications.
 
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I think it was Ken (Humph) that posted about his replacement a while back and he mentioned that the unit he chose was pretty easy to get in the cabin once he removed the doors and hinges. The fridge he installed looked pretty nice in stainless with a nice flange.
I keep my fingers crossed every time I read one of these threads that my original Norcold will keep on going.

I pinged Humph on that thread to get his feed back on the vitrifrigo the unit performed. I’ve read varying degrees of happiness.

I’d still love to get feed back on the isotherm. I think I’m going to get a look at Bennett’s Novacool here in a few days, I’d put them on the list as well.
 
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I replaced with a Vitrifrigo a few years back (3, 4 5?) and have been happy with the unit. Its a different boat (sedan bridge), so installation was not as difficult....but I did need to reverse the door swing.

My baseline comparison was to an old, hardly ever cold Norcold unit. The new one is whisper quiet, looks and performs great! The freezer is bigger, which was important. Plus the bonus is a light inside the refrigerator section!

The bad.....door latch is difficult for many to open. Im fine, and have gotten used to it, but kids and guests have trouble.
The drip tray is a pain in the ass to clean having a glued top (layered). This requires a good soaking, and blast of water to remove all the ugly crud.
The shelves are kind of flimsy, although they compare to the Norcold the same. Having a week of food, with heavy items will bow the rack shelving.

I can understand the comments on the door and draw storage, but it is not a deal breaker for us.

I would buy the Vitrifrigo again.

Edit: I bought from Defender, and they continue to keep my business. Always fast and accommodating!
 
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You can add a small battery operated motion activated light to the refrigerator section. Works great and batteries last about a season.
 
I had to replace my Subzero 249RP refrigerators on my 60 dancer last year. I chose to go with GE Monogram two draw units. I love them and they fit right in with a minimal about of carpentry. They fit down the steps by simply removing the draws.

Hope this helps

Wayne
 
You can add a small battery operated motion activated light to the refrigerator section. Works great and batteries last about a season.

I’ve tried motion sensing lights on boats before and the only problem I’ve found with them is that they turn on when the boat moves or bounces so the batteries don’t last as long.
Maybe they’re improved.
 
I believe they sense the motion in front of the eye and not the actual motion of the boat. 2 different motions I guess. Anyway the light inside my refer works awesome.
 
I put a Nova Cool in our 95 370 4 years ago. The unit is physically smaller but has a larger capacity. It fit through the salon door without a problem. Taking the old Dometic (?) out was a different story. Removed the door, cut off all the crap on the back including the processor and it "just" made it through. Happy so far.

Mark
 
I had to replace my Subzero 249RP refrigerators on my 60 dancer last year. I chose to go with GE Monogram two draw units. I love them and they fit right in with a minimal about of carpentry. They fit down the steps by simply removing the draws.

Hope this helps

Wayne

Interesting idea. Unfortunately this probably wont work on the galley fridge/freezer on the 410 as its limited to about 60" high...2 of these stacked would be 68".:(

However, this would be an interesting (although expensive) idea for the cockpit fridge area with a combo fridge icemaker. But then again, you get what you pay for.
 

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