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There is often confusion between proper Fridges and Coolboxes, a proper fridge should be able to maintain a temp of between 1 and 4 degrees Celsius for safe storage of perishable food. Coolboxes will just be cooler than ambient (usually dependant of ice blocks and pre-chilled food contents), with the powered Peltier/Thermoelectric ones generally only getting down to 16-18C below ambient under their own power (which is rarely enough for perishables!), and very, VERY slow in doing so, with high power consumption as very inefficient, so not suitable for running off a battery (OK in car with engine running).
The temperature in a tent in the sun can easy reach high 30's C or even higher, so perishable food storage has to be up to the task!
Without doubt the best option with 12v/240v available is a compressor fridge, it'll have minimal power consumption (all other 12v powered fridges are not really suited to running off 12v battery power - far too heavy power consumption that'll flatten a battery in mere hours!), and a thermostat to keep temp to set levels. They are not especially cheap though, but IMHO money well spent.
Because it's a 'proper' fridge with a compressor, they can be relatively heavy (without the contents) and have a smaller storage capacity than the outside dimensions may suggest (compared to a similar sized coolbox), so some thought about what you can lift/move (when full!) and how much storage space you need. Larger ones tend to have wheels and pulling handles!
Dometic tend to be the leading brand, but rather silly money! Mobicool is the budget brand 1st cousin to Dometic (same company), but still not the cheapest. A plethora of rather obscure Chinese made ones at more appealing prices, but don't expect any support if anything fails, probably even under warranty period where the (equally obscure!) retailer is responsible but often uncooperative, it'll be bin it! (May be worth the gamble if cheap enough!)
Reputable names are, Dometic, Mobicool, myCOOLMAN, Halfords (but the 240v mains is by an external adaptor! Plus side is a rather generous 3 yr waranty!), Alpicool, etc. and the list goes on.
Don't dismiss the now rather sneered at old school 3-way (240v/12v/gas) fridges. They work well, are not too pricey, and have the option of running on gas if off grid (but NOT inside a tent as risk of Carbon Monoxide poisoning from the gas flame!). Downside is they are quite large and heavy, and 12v use is ONLY from a vehicle with the engine running as high power consumption. Plus side is they are absolutely silent, so no compressors or fans whirring away when you are trying to sleep!
I've got both a 3-way fridge (donkey's years old) and a much newer compressor fridge/freezer, both have their merits and downsides, it's horses for courses. I use both (either?) depending on how I'm camping - the 3-way on gas gives us a fridge where we otherwise would not have one if no EHU! The compressor one tends to be used as an extra freezer in the caravan and for transporting food to the caravan and storing before it's inbuilt fridge is chilled down.
Remember 'A camping fridge is not just for camping!' - they are very handy at home - overflow fridge for Xmas etc., beer fridge for BBQs etc., so your investment can be spread over more than just a couple of weeks holiday!
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Topic: Fridge for 12v and mains not to big
via mobile 21/6/2026 at 9:15pm
