The thermal mass trick applies to all refrigerators/ice boxes, not just off-grid scenarios. I tend to keep a number of filled water jugs occupying any otherwis

The thermal mass trick applies to all refrigerators/ice boxes, not just off-grid scenarios. I tend to keep a number of filled water jugs occupying any otherwise unused space in mine since I don't keep them brimming with food stuffs. It smooths out the temperature swings from opening the doors, and generally results in the compressor running less as a result. Edit: it also buys more time before food spoils in power outages.