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Ep 39 - Fridges Vs. Iceboxes
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ส.ค. 2024
- Is chucking a bag of ice into an icebox OK, or is it worth spending more on a fridge so you can just plug in and go? On this week’s podcast Ben and Lauren talk about the pros and cons of each.
What’s your preferred way of keeping your food and cold ones chilled when camping?
00:00 - Intro
01:09 - Brands
01:51 - Iceboxes Vs Coolers
03:17 - Fridges
06:06 - Cons of Fridges: Cost
06:44 - Cons of Fridges: Componentry
08:04 - Cons of Fridges: Power Requirements
09:18 - Cons of Fridges: External Dimensions
10:49 - Pros of Fridges: Consistent Cooling
11:13 - Pros of Fridges: Designed for Outdoor Conditions
12:14 - Pros of Fridges: Temperature Control
13:34 - Pros of Fridges: Dual-Zone Flexibility
14:06 - Pros of Iceboxes: Simple and Basic
15:57 - Pros of Iceboxes: Affordability and Flexibility
20:12 - Pros of Iceboxes: Versatile
20:22 - Cons of Iceboxes: Refilling Logistics
21:53 - Cons of Iceboxes: Less Efficient and Higher Maintenance
25:02 - Utilising Fridges and Iceboxes Interchangeably
28:03 - To Cool Off: Closing Thoughts
Join the conversation over on our Facebook group:
/ snowys
Head to snowys.com.au for all your gear needs:
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I run the Dometic CD-30 Drawer Fridge I purchased from you guys about 18 months ago. Ive done a first review and another a few months later to see what Ive really thought of it. Videos on my channel. I used a couple of cheap 27L eskys from Kmart for a number of years and absolutely love having the fridge now. One major advantage of the fridge as well is a 30L fridge will hold a lot more than a 30L Esky/Ice Box because you dont have to keep ice in it. The Fridge is a much larger upfront cost but if you are going away quite often the fridge is well worth it. Even just having a cold drink when going for a Sunday drive is great to have.
Thanks @Mick's 4WD Touring, we'll check it out!
~ Lauren
Smallish fridge (say 40L) running as freezer (with ice blocks plus lots of food), and smallish Ice Box (30-40L) where you rotate the ice blocks through seems really practical solution for decent amount of food storage for a longer trip. You only need 2 decent sized blocks for the ice box (+2 in the freezer). Combined with solar panels and a modest power pack, the power can be sustained indefinitely, even from a modest sized vehicle without secondary battery.
I think I may have shot Bens idea down abit to early haha!
If your freezer was economical and efficient it would be a great plan, just comes down to how quickly it will freeze a decent size block, especially if the ambient temperature is high.
~ Lauren
This is what I do when I go camping (I have a 45L fridge/freezer) and I use 1L UHT milk cartons to rotate blocks and I can just defrost meats and food the night before.
@@sheldonpopesp great idea on re-using UHT cartons. They're a good size and shape!
~ Lauren
I agree, it shouldn't be a Vs subject, they compliment each other. I have a 40lt fibreglass Evacool icebox, and a 35 year old hand-me down Engel fridge, but I also take a 25lt esky, that lasts 24 hours. Day One, all drinks, and food, in esky, including cold juice in the morning. Day 2, all drinks, and food come out of fridge. Day 3, 1st time icebox is opened, drinks transferred to fridge(dttf). Day 4, 2nd time icebox is opened, (dttf). Day 5, 3rd time icebox is opened, (dttf). Day 6, 4th time icebox is opened, (dttf). Day 7 icebox empty, everything in fridge.
Sounds like you've got it worked out @Steel Springs! Great system there.
~ Lauren
I have owned a Dometic/WAECO that I bought at a truck stop in Idaho. I sold it to a lady that runs it everyday as a freezer in her truck. 9 years old. A friend who started me down this rabbit hole of 12v fridges used to haul RV's to a Winnebago repair place in Phoenix Arizona. He would take the Norcold Tek2's 40L and 60L. They are just rebranded Engels. The two he has in his big rig are going on 30 years old. And the stories you hear in your country of 30+ year old Engel fridges. I don't think there is a better dollar for dollar cost. I just bought 2 Engel MT45's from a place in Florida. They were pretty cheap considering. Early birthday gift from ME to ME. I didn't even measure. But one fits in front of the front seat on the floor and the other will fit behind it. 🥳 One as a freezer and one as a fridge. This is on top of owning two Dometic cfx3's. 🤷♂️
My new hobby. 🙂
Oh absolutely!! I family member has a 37 year old Engle that's almost on its way out.
They're basically bomb proof if you look after them.
~ Lauren
I have a fixed solar and an auxiliary battery on my 4WD, so it's Fridge/Freezer for me all the way. In fact my 75L F/F runs 24/7 at the back of my 4WD. I used to use an Icebox and while it was handy in a pinch, it was too stressful on multi-day trips. It also requires a lot more attention to ensure it works as best as possible. I used to use several frozen 600ml water bottles to cool it. and as you've mentioned, as they melt, they became our cold drinks. But the constant worry if the coolness will last over a few days can be stressful at times. Since getting my F/F, I've never looked back.
I 100% agree with you there @Hammer Rocks...the 12v fridge gives you a peace of mind, and abit of a set and forget situation. Theres nothing worse than having food spoiled or in that iffy grey area if the Icebox hasn't been managed well.
~ Lauren
I run a 75lt dual zone Oztrail fridge and love it , very reliable for a budget fridge / freezer and economical.
I will pre cool my fridge before I leave home and then when I get to where i'm going .
Ill plug it into my solar powered portable battery pack.
Battery never failed even after a 5 day 40 degree plus holiday camp .
Just run it on economy and high battery conservation and keep the fridge in the shade .
Thats awesome @Robert De Paulis! Budget options are great when you understand the potential limitations of the gear, sounds like your got it worked out!
~ Lauren
@@SnowysOutdoorscheers and have a great Christmas 🎄
one tip is lock up your cooler/fridge if its 'outside' while camping ( at some sites) as they are often an easy target.
We camp mostly in isolated places, so I'd not considered that before @Places to Sea...important point to make!
~ Lauren
@@SnowysOutdoors unfortunately we know from experience. Lucky it was a ice box and not an expensive fridge
TIPs
Buy several different sized ice bricks.
Use your dualzone as a freezer/pantry OR freezer/fridge.
Purchase iceblock molds to create ice and fill an icemule or small esky.
Convert the CIG plug to Anderson and connect straight to battery.
Setup a roof Solar Panel for your Fridge (always).
Great tips there @DOCWHOK9, thanks!
~ Lauren
We camp in the back of our Prius, and I recently got a Brass Monkey when I discovered that they make a dual zone that fits in the front passenger seat.
It’s been working brilliantly. There are definitely some things that you miss out on (the outside case and handles aren’t quite as polished and pretty, plus the handles seem not as strong, and also it doesn’t come with baskets (some models do)), but it’s been working a treat for me!
I don’t have the patience or the discipline to operate an ice box in the way that it needs to be run to make it properly efficient and keep food cold for as long as possible.
That's awesome that it works perfectly for you, its probably abit lighter than alternative brands as well, which works perfectly for the space!
~ Lauren
@@SnowysOutdoors Exactly. It couldn’t possibly for any better. I mean, there is literally no room to spare. 🤣
I bought a 50L fridge/freezer combo. its been great for those week long trips, but now im moving to an icebox as most of my trips are weekenders, and its just less weight and hassle.
the fridge also gets used around the house for parties as extra drinks storage or extra freezer space, so not totally wasted.
Ice for beer fridge for food. Simple.
The weight of a 12v fridge/freezer is definitely consideration, if you have to pack a bunch of stuff just to run it on a short trip it probably isnt going to be worth it.
Glad you still get use out of it though!
~ Lauren
We got frustrated with our 35L icebox. Half the room was taken up by ice. Purchased 95L DZ Waeco and AUX battery setup, and its so much better. However, we always carry an IceMule 30L for ice emergencies. Not had much success with Solar opportunities so far.
We've recently upgraded to a 86L fridge since recording this episode, and I agree that its life changing! If you've got the room and power for a large fridge you cant beat it.
~ Lauren
Have a 45l brass monkey dual zone. Had for a year and it is perfect for long weekend trips. Just need a good battery system to run it properly.
Its great hearing feedback on the Brass Monkey fridges! Glad you are loving it.
~ Lauren
My 45l brass monkey dual zone has a battery compartment. It will do exactly what you want mate.
What I would like is a small fridge where the compressor can be removed and walls that come apart. This would make it an option to take on a motorcycle.
Be real handy
Brilliant idea, you could be sitting on a gold mine!
~ Lauren
Sold my arb and get a 2nd hand bushman, I like bushman
They're not as popular @Sze Jim, but I've never heard a bad word against Bushmans from people who own one!
~ Lauren