Summerset · Accessories
How to Reverse the Door Swing on a Summerset Refrigerator
Most Summerset outdoor refrigerators ship right-hand-open and support conversion to left-hand-open. The procedure is about 30 minutes with the refrigerator unplugged and a Phillips screwdriver. Done before install if you know the swing you want, or after install if you realize the swing is wrong.
By Reed · Updated November 8, 2026
What you need
- Phillips screwdriver
- Flat-head screwdriver (for trim caps)
- Clean cloth for temporary door placement
- Second person for stability
Door reversal reference
- Procedure time
- ~30 minutes
- Tools
- Phillips + flat-head screwdriver
- Reversible models
- Most RFR-15, 22, 24 single-door
- Non-reversible
- Some double-door and kegerator models
- Return to temp after reversal
- 6-12 hours
Step by step
Unplug the refrigerator and empty it
Door reversal with the refrigerator running stresses the compressor if the door stays open. Unplug, pull any contents, let the cabinet come to room temperature.
Remove the upper hinge trim cap and bracket
Pop the plastic trim cap off the top of the cabinet with a flat-head screwdriver. Remove the Phillips screws securing the upper hinge bracket. Lift the hinge bracket straight up and set aside.
Lift the door off and set it clean-side down
With the upper hinge removed, lift the door straight up off the lower hinge pin. Set the door glass-side down on a clean cloth to avoid scratching.
Swap the lower hinge pin to the opposite side
The lower hinge pin is a removable bolt that unscrews. Remove from the right side, screw into the matching hole on the left side of the cabinet base. Hand-tighten only — overtightening cracks the cabinet seat.
Rotate the door 180 degrees and remount
Rotate the door 180 degrees (top becomes bottom). The handle will now be on the opposite side when reinstalled. Lower the door onto the newly placed lower hinge pin.
Install the upper hinge bracket on the left side
The upper hinge bracket mounts on the opposite side from where it came off. There are pre-drilled mounting holes on both sides of the cabinet top. Install the bracket, align the hinge pin with the top of the door, secure with the original screws.
Verify the seal and plug back in
Close the door and check the gasket seal around the full perimeter. If the gasket is folded or not seating, the door is misaligned — loosen the upper hinge bracket slightly and adjust. Plug the refrigerator back in and let it return to operating temperature (6-12 hours).
Common mistakes
- Overtightening the lower hinge pin. The lower hinge pin threads into the cabinet base. Overtightening cracks the seat and the door will not seal properly. Hand-tight is enough.
- Forgetting to rotate the door. If you remount the door without rotating 180 degrees, the handle will be upside down and the gasket will be in the wrong orientation. The door physically fits but the fridge will not seal.
- Reversing a double-door model. Some double-door models do not support reversal — the hinge geometry is asymmetric. Check your specific model's Door Reversal Instructions PDF before attempting.
Hands-on tips
- Reverse the door BEFORE install if possible. Doing it with the refrigerator in a cabinet cavity is more awkward than doing it with the unit on a kitchen floor.
- Have a second person hold the door while you work the hinge brackets. Doors slip and the gasket gets damaged when they do.
- If the gasket looks worn during reversal, replace it while you have the door off. It is a 10-minute addition and gasket replacement from fully assembled is much harder.
Questions people ask
Can every Summerset outdoor refrigerator be reversed?
Most single-door models can. Some double-door and specialty models (kegerator) cannot. The Refrigerator Door Reversal Instructions PDF on summersetgrills.com specifies which models support it.
Does door reversal void the warranty?
No — it is a user-serviceable procedure documented in the manual. Damage from incorrect reversal (overtightened hinge, broken trim cap) may not be covered.
How do I know which side is 'correct' for my install?
The door should open AWAY from the main traffic path. If the refrigerator sits left of the grill, the door should open to the right. Mock up the install with cardboard before committing to the swing direction.
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