Just wondering how you happy campers manage to keep your milk, bacon, cheese etc cool.
I was going to keep my eye on fleabay for a mini fridge (thought one of the old mini coke ones that were all the rage for keeping cans cold a few years ago would be ideal!)
Anyone got any other good solutions?
Working from a very Dim and Distant memory, when we went camping it was a cool box with freezer packs - I believe camp sites have refreezing services so you would just swap packs out as they melted.
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we also use a Coleman Xtreme coolbox (pre-chilled for at least 24 hours before use) and put freshly frozen cooler blocks in it each day...we have no problems keeping everything nice and cold...the coolboxes aren't small tho so that's something to bear in mind if tent or transportation space is at a minimum...
We use a 3-way fridge, so on a long journey the fridge can work off 12v in the car, then we can run it off mains electric if we're on a site with EHU, but we don't have to be tied to using EHU sites as we can also run it off gas instead. Brilliant piece of kit, and it makes ice cubes too
We use a 3-way fridge, so on a long journey the fridge can work off 12v in the car, then we can run it off mains electric if we're on a site with EHU, but we don't have to be tied to using EHU sites as we can also run it off gas instead. Brilliant piece of kit, and it makes ice cubes too
For short stays we just use a cool box with ice blocks. Just remember to ensure that everything you put in it is already cold or even better frozen. We always put in a pint of frozen milk and one year for a festie even froze a box of wine !
For longer than a few days we have EHU and plug in a camping fridge, its huge but I wouldn't be without it. Have look on Amazon to get an idea of what is out there and which work best.
I think the interesting thing is with the arrival of EHU for tents (when I was camping as a kid was just for caravans) the options are a lot bigger than ever.
Basically figure out what suits you with respect to cost, and space and go with it.
Fridge (either EHU, Gas or 12V) is obviously the most familiar to you as it works just like your home one. But is a much more expensive option than a coolbox with ice packs.
Personally even if I had a EHU I'd probably go the coolbox route. It's smaller, lighter and cheaper - but apart from the inability to create ice, no less effective in keeping stuff chilled.
I use a 12v cool box if using EHU, and an ordinary double walled cheapie cool box if no EHU. Either way I put a frozen carton of milk in, and I buy little and often rather than try and cram a whole weeks worth of groceries in.
Quote: Originally posted by moonstone on 28/4/2013
we also use a Coleman Xtreme coolbox (pre-chilled for at least 24 hours before use) and put freshly frozen cooler blocks in it each day...we have no problems keeping everything nice and cold...the coolboxes aren't small tho so that's something to bear in mind if tent or transportation space is at a minimum...
Same box (36L?).... pre-chill for 48hrs (replacing frozen blocks/water bottles as they thaw), and you only need to replace ice blocks on site EVERY 5 DAYS (subject to usage/opening times etc.)
(By the end of your 48 pre-freeze, you will note your ice blocks/water bottles are not thawing, unlike the first lot you put in!! :-) )
For a few days we use an Igloo coolbox and ice packs which is brilliant. For long trips if we use EHU we take a table top fridge to use in the tt or the Andorra.
If we go to sites for a week or two without EHU we take our three way camping fridge and run it off gas which gets colder than when it's running off electric.
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