Looking for advice on the best cool box to take for a weeks camping holiday in France (in June).
We currently have a bog standard tesco one, which to be honest just doesnt do the job. To be fair i think we need to use more ice packs (we currently have 6 and rotate 3 at a time), as the box just doesnt stay cool.
Given that we are gong to France in summer i think we need to invest in a much better one.
Can anyone recommend any? (btw we dont have electric but do have a car, if that makes a difference)
There are lots of good quality non-powered coolboxes out there, varying in quality and size, and lots of tips on how to use them (I think there was a good thread about this a few days ago if you search backwards).
IME most decent sites in France have EHU at most of the pitches, and if you're going down the discount scheme route (should be about right in June) this will get chucked in for free, so you won't be paying extra for it. You won't have to faff about with ice packs then
hi the 12v ones will drain a battery if this is the only sorce of power also all the 12v ones will struggle to maintain temps in hot climates however the igloo cool chill 40 will keep ice cold at 22 below ambient but like all 12v ones they all draw about 4-5 amps 12v dc so expect 12hrs continuos but could damage your car battery as for a decent passive cooler we stock all the igloo range and coleman and i would recommend the igloo maxcold range over the coleman extreme anytime due to the far more superior insulation and better layout inside as the igloo have straight walls and are 1" thick the coleman extreme range are steped inside and the walls are 2" thick each side so can be awkward when storing food and drinks in them hope this helps
Sorry Cockney, you may sell them but Igloo Cool Chill will not stay ice cold. 22 degrees C below ambient in South of France is likely to be 10 C. Not even vaguely chilly. There are many better 12v coolboxes that can achieve 30 degrees C below ambient. The Igloo Maxcold as you say is a lot better bet, if you can provide enough ice or freeze packs.
Hi Vicki.
We use a compressor fridge/freezer and it has worked fine in the South of France during July, even with temps at +40Deg C and even hotter in the tent, you just set your required temp and the fridge/freezer will keep to that, mostly we have it set to +3DegC, but it will go down to -18DegC if needed, it is not dependent on the ambient temp, like an absorbtion cooler as it works just like your fridge at home.
The model we have will not drain your car battery, as it detects that you still have enough oomph in your battery, so you can still start your car in the morning.
We have a leisure battery for back up power for the fridge/freezer in case of no EHU.
We have used our fridge/freezer this last couple of years, for our fortnight camps, the money we have saved by not hiring a fridge/freezer on site, has now paid of the intial cost of our fridge/freezer.
Although we did get the unit at a bargain price of £150 a lucky find on preloved, it was brand new in the box still factory sealed, one of my better buys.
The model is a Waeco CF25 it's big/small enough for us, and fits in the boot of our VW Golf taking up little room, great for keeping stuff cool on the 1000 mile 3 day journey to the campsite, in a word it's a great bit of kit.
Chill will not stay ice cold. 22 degrees C below ambient in South of France is likely to be 10 C. Not even vaguely chilly
i was referring to a 12v cooler side of thing only the igloo is the best on the market as a 12v cooler only there are 3 way fridges that can reach further but if you read the thread they havent got power and someone mentioned running 12v only also if you have ever tried and igloo koolmate 40 which is the same as the cool chill 40 these have been known to freeze drinks and food depending on temps in the location you are also these are made in texas and the south of france is nowhere as hot as texas and many US locations and its still the biggest seller in the US this is all due to the very superior insulation cold air dosnt escape like with other cheap models hense because they lock in the temp
Still won't be ice cold - specification is 25 degrees C below ambient. that is the manufacturers specification. Great stories on Texas but nothing to rely on. By the way, Waeco Tropicool series, also thermoelectric achieve 30 degree C below ambient, so the Igloo is not the best on the market - its the one you sell......
We also have the Igloo Maxcold - ice does keep for the 5 days it promises - we found that filling up an old ice cream carton & freezing that did the trick! - better than blocks, cubes etc We also take our meat & some milk in frozen form too - whoever invented this coolbox deserves a medal in our opinion :-) - Also doubles up as a seat for the kids too!
------------- Mum, Daughter, Dyson & Bafa x
21st Birthday Tour
AUGUST 2012
17-19 Thorpe Forest
19-21 Whitehouse Beach
21-23 Run Cottage
23-25 Clacton Coastal Academy
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Best Cool Boxes
