Opinions on Norcold DE0061 Refrigerator

[potis]

I have a 1998 400 DA. Original refer is a Norcold DE0061. It is dead, or at least on its way to to the grave. Looking to replace it. From the reviews I have read I am nervous about putting in another of the same model, and would prefer Vitrifrigo or Novacool, but between Covid-19 and tariffs, I cannot even find one unless I want to tack on $275 in shipping and wait 4 weeks. The reviews I've seen on the Norcold are split 50/50, half say it is a good unit for the price and the other half say it is junk. Looking for advice. thanks.

 

[superwa]

I replaced mine last year. It’s ok but not great. My biggest issue is ice build up, but I keep up with it.

 

[bobeast]

Norcold often gets panned. Usually by someone replacing a 20+ year old fridge. I wish all my appliances were that bad!

 

[potis]

Norcold often gets panned. Usually by someone replacing a 20+ year old fridge. I wish all my appliances were that bad!

Sorry Bobeast, but I am confused a bit by your reply. Guessing it's sarcasm. Are you saying the panning that Norcold gets is not justified?

 

[bobeast]

Sorry Bobeast, but I am confused a bit by your reply. Guessing it's sarcasm. Are you saying the panning that Norcold gets is not justified?

I'm saying that if a product lasted 20+ years, that manufacturer would be pretty close to the top of my list when choosing a replacement. I did in fact replace my old Norcold with a new one (the exact model escapes me). The new one is whisper quiet and seems to do the job quite well.

 

[potis]

I'm saying that if a product lasted 20+ years, that manufacturer would be pretty close to the top of my list when choosing a replacement. I did in fact replace my old Norcold with a new one (the exact model escapes me). The new one is whisper quiet and seems to do the job quite well.

OK. That's what I thought you meant, but wanted to be sure. And I agree. I was ready to just replace with the exact same thing since it served its purpose well for 21 years, and it's affordable, but then all the bad reviews got me second guessing. thanks.

 

[EmiG]

I replaced my with a Norcold. It work fine. I do think that it needs a fan inside.

 

[330DA]

Last year, I replaced our 19 yr old Norcold. I bought another Norcold because it fit exactly the same even though it was very slightly larger inside. It has a light in it and is really quiet.

Now, I think the bad rap Norcold has had in recent years is that the newer ones are not lasting long. Some have reported that they have failed shortly after install. Ours is doing great.

 

[mobocracy]

Last year, I replaced our 19 yr old Norcold. I bought another Norcold because it fit exactly the same even though it was very slightly larger inside. It has a light in it and is really quiet.

Now, I think the bad rap Norcold has had in recent years is that the newer ones are not lasting long. Some have reported that they have failed shortly after install. Ours is doing great.

I replaced the original Norcold in the cabin on our 2007 310 with a Norcold, and the unit I got as a replacement failed within about two weeks. The only replacement-for-the-replacement I could get on a short notice was the floor/display model out of the West Marine, but this one has continued working. I even keep a ziploc bag of ice in it more or less intact.

The biggest issue for me was finding a replacement that actually fit the space from the old one, which is why I bought another Norcold. It struck me that there's not really an exact set of sizes for these kinds of fridges. Even then my replacement was about 1-2" deeper than the original and required me to fabricate some trim pieces.

If money and time were not objects, it would have been tempting to remove the Isotherm "icebox" (which on our boat is DC only), repurpose the space for an external chiller unit and have a custom built cold box installed where the old fridge basically was. This would have given us more usable refrigeration space and maybe easier future repairs since we'd at worst have to replace the chiller unit without playing games with a whole-unit replacement.

Maybe in an ideal world this is what all boat makers should do from the outset given size/space constraints -- make the fridge or freezer a built-in insulated box with an external chiller unit. Probably allows for more clever uses of tight spaces and makes replacement easier since you're only replacing the mechanical part.

 

[DougLas]

If bought from West marine a extended warranty can be purchased for the fridge.

 

[ocgrant]

You know I am going to go Vitifrigo for my next one. I really like their product line and the extra space they give.