Portable refridgerators

[butler1]

Can anyone recommend a portable fridge that could be kept in the awning? When the weather is warm I'd ideally like to have something to supplement the fridge in the van that is a little on the small side. I have seen some that work off the car cigarette lighter, but I'd like something to plug in to the electric in the van and feed through the kitchen window. Something about the size of a small chest sounds about right. Many thanks, Butler.

 

[hgv dave]

most of the ones that work off a cig lighter are cool boxes and they are cheap enough but most are not for long time use

if you wanted a portable fridge that will last......you would be better off going for a compressor fridge which will be more exspensive but will last longer and preform better

hgv dave

 

[RayS]

Most of the so-called cold boxes running from 12 volts are ok for keeping thins relatively cold, but have no thermostat so if you put in, for example, salad stuff and the night happens to get to 10C or below there is a real risk that it will be frozen and worthless by the morning. So remember to unplug.

If you want "a second fridge" with thermostat and mains operation - look at the Dometic websites and those of the major accessory dealers, but you will be lucky to find anything less than about

 

[herb]

aldi

 

[starlightdj]

Hi re a portable fridge to keep in the awning.

If you go to a camping shop you can purchase small chest style fridge / freezers for aprox

 

[cobminor]

Hi,

Be carefull with a fridge for the awning. Most, if not all of the fridges designed for gas will use lots of electricity when run on 12v, enough to flatten a battery in a few hours. Stay away from Peltier element ones (normally marketed as coolers) as they only keep food a certain number of degrees below ambient temperature, so on a hot day in your awning you will be pushing some limits.

There are 12v, or 12/24v fridges and the best has to be the Engel, expensive but worth it. These things will last for years and their consumption is minimal. I had one in the back of my car in Croatia two years ago, in the middle of an exposed car park, in a lot of heat, for 48 hours. I was so concerned that I went to check it after one day, all was fine. The car started first time as well, although it does have two batteries. They also have a thermostat that lets you choose between using it as a fridge, or as a freezer.