The days of taking an esky and ice when camping are quickly ending, especially if you will be away for more than one night. A camping fridge has become essential gear for any outdoor enthusiast in recent years.
Whether heading off on a long weekend camping trip or embarking on a big lap around Australia, having a reliable way to keep your food and drinks cold is crucial. Choosing the right camping fridge can be overwhelming, with so many options available. This guide will help you navigate the market, understand the different types of fridges, and make an informed decision.
How to choose a camping fridge
- What is a camping fridge?
- Before you buy
- Types of camping fridges
- Features to consider
- Power sources
- Which camping fridge should you choose?
What is a camping fridge?
As the name suggests, a camping fridge is a portable refrigerator designed for outdoor use. Unlike home refrigerators, it’s built to withstand rough conditions and often runs on electricity (12V or 24V), gas, 240-volt, or a combination. These fridges come in various sizes, from compact car models to larger ones for RVs. Their primary function is to keep food and drinks cold during outdoor adventures.
Why do you need one?
The best eskies on the market indicate they can keep ice cold for three days. On a hot day with the lid opened too many times, this will be much shorter. Coupled with melted water collecting in the bottom, spoiling containers and food, the traditional ice method is just too messy. A camping fridge requires no ice, and budget models start at just a few hundred dollars, which equals the price of an expensive esky.
Things to consider before buying
Before you start shopping, it’s essential to consider your camping style and needs.
- Camping frequency: How often do you go camping? A larger, more robust fridge might be worth the investment if you’re a frequent camper.
- Camping location: Will you be car camping or have a trailer? A smaller portable fridge is ideal for car camping, while the more room you have allows you to increase the size of refrigeration. Also, consider whether you need a fridge for the colder Victorian high country versus the heat of the Northern Territory. More expensive models are usually more insulated and efficient.
- Capacity: How much food and drink do you need to store? Consider the number of people you’ll be camping with and the duration of your trips. Some vendors indicate capacity by the number of 375ml cans it will hold.
- Fridge versus freezer: Will you require your fridge to run at freezer temperatures, or do you require a unit that has both a fridge and a freezer?
- Power source: Will you rely on a car battery, solar power, or a combination?
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a camping fridge?
Types of camping fridges
There are three main cooling technologies for camping fridges:
Compressor fridges
- How they work: Compressor fridges use a compressor to circulate refrigerant, providing consistent cooling.
- Pros: Excellent cooling performance, energy-efficient, can operate in various temperatures and operate as a fridge or a freezer.
- Cons: Typically heavier and more expensive than other options.
- Best for: Frequent campers who prioritize performance and don’t mind the extra weight and cost.
Absorption fridges
- How they work: Absorption fridges use a heat source (usually gas or 12V) to create a chemical reaction that cools the fridge.
- Pros: Quiet operation, can run on gas without batteries or solar, good for off-grid camping.
- Cons: Less efficient than compressor fridges, slower cooling, can be affected by tilt.
- Best for: Campers who prioritize quiet operation and off-grid capabilities.
Thermoelectric fridges
- How they work: Thermoelectric fridges use electricity to create a temperature difference between the inside and outside of the fridge.
- Pros: Lightweight, portable, easy to use.
- Cons: Less efficient than compressor or absorption fridges, cooling performance is limited.
- Best for: Occasional campers or those with limited space and weight constraints. Not suitable for use in northern Australia.
Fridge configurations
Further to the cooling technology, there are three main types of fridge configurations
A chest fridge is the most common camping fridge style. Items are stacked on top of one another, which makes the best use of space. However, it can be hard to find items, and you run the risk of something getting squashed. The chest fridge tends to be the most efficient.
An upright fridge, like your fridge at home, has a door that opens forward. This makes it very easy to access food items on separate shelves. The disadvantage is that cold air quickly flows out of the door, and it will take longer for the fridge to recover to temperature. Some larger models will have a separate freezer above the fridge, and they are particularly useful for larger caravans.
Drawer fridges are generally smaller but make good use of space and allow easy access. A drawer fridge also allows you to stack other items on top of them such as another drawer or even a seat.
Key camping fridge features to consider
Among the many differences between each type of camping fridge, it’s worth looking at these specific features:
- Cooling capacity: This refers to how cold the fridge can get. Look for a fridge with a cooling capacity that suits your needs. Compressor fridges can also get as cold as minus 22 degrees Celsius.
- Power consumption: Consider the fridge’s power draw and how it will affect your battery life. Check the technical specifications for the average power usage per hour.
- Size and weight: Choose a fridge that fits your vehicle or RV and is easy to handle. Each fridge’s volume is expressed in litres.
- Durability: A camping fridge should be built to withstand the rigours of the outdoors.
- Dual zones: Some camping fridges contain separate refrigeration and freezer compartments, which is helpful if you want to store something for longer.
- Bluetooth: Peace of mind is needed to check the fridge temperature and adjust it from a smartphone app.
- LED light: This makes it easy to see inside your fridge both day and night.
- Nice-to-have features: Some fridges offer extra features like a bottle opener, reversible lid, and USB charging ports.
Powering your camping fridge
Assuming you are running a compressor fridge, you will need to consider how you will power it. Although you can use the cigarette lighter socket in your car, you are likely to find you have a flat battery the next morning. Instead, you are better off investing in an independent battery solution to run your fridge and other camping devices.
I’m a big fan of the Bluetti power stations, an all-in-one portable solution you can carry in or out of your car to use as an off-grid power source. Depending on the model, you can run a fridge overnight for up to a week without charging. A custom 12-volt solution will do the same thing without portability.
Charging from your car or adding a solar panel to your battery solution can mean that you can run your fridge indefinitely.
Which camping fridge should you choose?
I have three 12-volt compressor fridges, which I have used on the road for four months.
In my caravan, I have a 130-litre upright fridge, which makes it easy to access cooking items. On the outside of my caravan, I have a draw fridge, which is great for keeping drinks cold and providing overflow refrigeration. My car has a chest fridge that we run as a freezer.
Which is my favourite? With the advancement of solar, car charging, and batteries, I would only consider a compressor fridge. A compressor fridge is best suited to Australia’s higher temperatures. As for the configuration, each suits its needs perfectly. You need to work out which one would suit you best. If I had to pick just one, it would be the chest fridge for versatility and flexibility.
I recommend purchasing a brand name with a decent warranty and customer support. Can you get it fixed if something goes wrong in Broome? I’ve been using a MyCoolman fridge as part of my caravan gadget mix.
Make sure to do plenty of research beforehand, like reading online reviews from buyers, and comparing prices between retailers. It’s also worth seeing each fridge in person, so pop into your local retailers like BCF or Anaconda.
What else should you think about?
Unlike a home fridge, a camping fridge needs to be defrosted regularly and cleaned to ensure it keeps the correct temperature. I use a Bluetooth temperature dongle to log the temperature in my main fridge for peace of mind. My chest fridge also has built-in temperature monitoring.
Last but not least, consider food placement in your fridge to ensure the best temperature and avoid fragile items being crushed. Remember, bad roads along your journey will shake everything up.
Choosing the right camping fridge depends on your individual needs and preferences. By carefully considering your camping style, budget, and the features that matter most to you, you can find the perfect fridge to enhance your outdoor adventures.
Ideally, once you have made your investment, you won’t need to interact much with your camping fridge. You’ll only want to know if the beer is cold when it’s time for a drink.
The post How to choose a camping fridge that’ll keep your drinks cold appeared first on GadgetGuy.
0 comments:
Post a Comment