When it comes to embarking on an outdoor adventure, be it a weekend getaway or an extended trip, having the right gear is essential. And if you're an avid camper or an outdoor enthusiast, you know that one of the most important considerations is keeping your food and beverages fresh and cool throughout your journey.
Gone are the days of relying solely on ice-filled coolers that leave you with melted water and soggy sandwiches. Portable camping fridges have rapidly gained popularity among outdoor enthusiasts, and for a good reason.
Choosing the perfect camping fridge can be a daunting task with the overwhelming variety available on the market today. We have compiled a comprehensive list of answers to the most common questions we receive about camping portable fridges.
1. What Do I Need To Consider When Choosing a Portable Fridge?
When choosing a portable fridge for your next camping trip it is important to consider these factors:
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Do you want a fridge, freezer or both?
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Will you have access to mains power, or will you be relying on a battery system (12/24V)?
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How long do you want your fridge to last and keep food cold?
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How much food and drinks do you want to store?
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How much space do you have in your vehicle available for the fridge?
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Are you after a fridge with an extensive warranty, if so how much?
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What is your budget?
2. How Do I Clean My Portable Fridge?
Start by removing all the contents from your fridge and unplug it from the power source. Allow the fridge to defrost before removing all shelves and drawers. To clean the interior, use a mild cleaning solution, we would recommend warm water with a small amount of dish soap. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners that may damage the interior surfaces.
Don’t forget the exterior of the fridge paying extra attention to any stains or dirt. However, it is important to be cautious of any panels, vents and electrical components ensuring they don’t get too wet. After cleaning ensure the fridge is dried completely before storing it to prevent any unwanted mould or odours.
To keep your portable fridge running efficiently always ensure the vent near the fridge’s compressor is free of dust. A build-up of dust can cause the compressor to overheat and the fridge will struggle to cool. Always use a vacuum not an air compressor to remove dust to ensure dust does not get pushed into the vent.
3. How Many Amps Can I Expect My Portable Fridge / Freezer to Use?
The power draw will vary depending on the size of your fridge, the mode you are using and where your fridge is located. If using solely as a fridge they will generally use anywhere from approximately 1-4 amps per hour. Keeping in mind if your fridge is situated in the back of your vehicle in the hot sun the fridge will draw more power as the ambient temperature increases.
If you are using your portable fridge in a freezer mode, this will also increase the power consumption as the compressor needs to work harder to get down to temp. If the Evakool Down Under II 95L has one tub on 2 degrees and the other tub at -16 degrees your average hourly draw over 24 hours at 32 degrees is 2.2 amps. For smaller fridges such as the Dometic CFX3 45L with the tub set to 4 degrees it will draw 1 amp per hour over 24 hours at 32 degrees.
4. What Temperature Should I Run My Fridge At?
Portable fridges are generally set at 2-4 degrees for refrigeration and -15 degrees for freezer.
5. How Do I Maximise The Efficiency Of My Portable Fridge?
It is important to avoid constant opening of the portable fridge or freezers and be mindful of how you pack it. The more air in the fridge the harder the compressor works to cool. If your fridge is running empty pop some bottles of water in the fridge to help keep the temperature inside stable.
Be very mindful on where you store your fridge. A shady breezy location is best to avoid the compressor having to work harder to cool. When packing the fridge, it is best to put precooled items in it. Filling a portable fridge with hot beers will make the fridge work harder to cool therefore increasing the amps needed to reach desired temperature.
The number one accessory we recommend you grabbing for your portable fridge is a fridge cover. It is designed to keep the ambient temperature of the fridge down and will protect your fridge from the elements while travelling.
6. What Accessories Do You Recommend For a Portable Fridge?
Optional accessories include;
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7. If I Unplug My Portable Fridge, How Long Will It Stay Cold For?
The truth is, there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. The duration for which your camping fridge will stay cool depends on several factors;
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The models insulation
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Environmental factors
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Starting temperature
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Lid usage
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Food type
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Material composition
8. What Brands Do You Recommend?
Check out what our customers have to say about their new portable fridges!
We hope we have answered a number of your frequently asked questions on portable fridges, if you have any more questions feel free to give us a call on 1800 787 278!
View the full range of portable fridges on our website here.
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DISCLAIMER* Please note, this advice is general in nature and we strongly recommend consulting the product manual and where relevant, a professional installer.
