Richard - caught me...I didnt explain "state change" vs "tempeature change" although since I wrote this someone has explained it. The water idea used is best..

I bet you didn't know that when you heat water it boils at 212 degrees AND the steam that comes off the water is ALSO 212 degrees. Its just that the water had to ABSORB a lot of heat (BTU's) to make the change from water to steam. That's what happens in the evaporator.

The LIQUID refrigerant in the evaporator absorbs heat and changes to vapor (with only minor temp change). I should have said "LOW PRESSURE VAPOR" and really left the word HOT out. Its still at the approx temp of the evaporator since only a "state" change from liquid to vapor occurred and just absorbed the heat without the temperature of the refrigerant changing. That's why the large suction tube to the compressor is still frosty and that's ok because it contains a VAPOR not a liquid.

Sorry for the confusion. I've read all the posts and sounds like you've gotten more info than you expected. Its all good stuff - but I got to tell you - I still think a gas refrigerator is magic!!!

Best wishes to you.

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