Consequences of extra fridge insulation

[avanti]

There is an interesting thread over on the Transit forum in which a user reported an unintended consequence of adding extra insulation around his refrigerator:

https://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/...2/post-1177660

He reports an issue in which such insulation caused condensation to form between the insulation and the fridge. The following quote is interesting:

From our backpacking days we know that when ever you insulate something colder than the dew point, the dew point lies somewhere within the insulation. Ideally it lies within the close cell portion of the factory fridge/freezer insulation. However, in our case it does not: It lies in 3M thinsulate on the outside of the metal skin surface of the fridge/freezer or on the metal skin surface in areas not covered by the insulation.

This is an interesting observation that is worth keeping in mind. Where there is condensation, there ls a real risk of mold. It is a cousin to the "insulation vapor barrier" issue that so many people (and at least one well-reputed upfitter) are so confused about.