I'm looking at staying in a Motorhome but totally off grid in the Lake Disrict for 7 days. The fridge in the motorhome wont last. I had heard about cool boxes that run off those small gas butane canisters bought from the likes of B&M. Failing that, I'm looking at Icey Tek boxes but not sure how long they would keep things cool. Have you any other reccomnendations. Many Thanks
The 3-way fridges that run off a disposable cartridge are Dometic ACX3 40G Coolbox and/or CombiCool RC 1205 GC, but now appear to be VERY hard come by, or even discontinued altogether! - you might find a s/h one, but they were quite rare even when definitely in production years ago!
They are the same as the regular 3-way fridge models but have a 220g gas cartridge in place of the usual gas inlet normally fed from a large Calor type gas cylinder.
You should be aware you CANNOT run them on gas inside a MH/tent etc. as risk of Carbon Monoxide poisoning, and they are NOT weatherproof so cannot be left outdoors without shelter from rain or risk of gas flame blowing out in windy conditions!
We've got both a cartridge type and a gas cylinder type for off grid use, and they are great and have served us very well for many years, but seem to have largely been superceded by 12v compressor fridges (also got one of those!) these days. You need a fair supply of gas cartridges, that can go through one a day in warmer temps!
Icytek type coolboxes (also got one of those!) can last for a week if well packed with ice/freezer blocks, but basically only if you very rarely open them and/or don't add anything not deep chilled! As soon as you open them or add anything (typically fresh shopping items/beer etc.) then you raise the temp and the ice starts to melt!
The Dometic 3-way coolboxes are proper fridges that can maintain 0-3C temperature for safe storage of perishable foods for as long as they are powered, the Icytex type coolboxes have no temperature control, so some risk with storing perishables.
We used to tent for a week with no fridge. Old fashioned cool box, bottles of frozen water, ice for the G&T in a soup thermos, buy a little regularly, adjust your expectations etc.
If you have to keep meds chilled, that’s a different matter. There are plenty of threads on low-tech coolness.
And did similar off grid in an elderly MH that had a fridge which didn’t work off gas. Used the fridge like a cool box, open the door as little as often.
This is where lifepo batteries & solar come into their own.
One option for the fridge if its a 12v compressor type is a powerbank. Plenty different ones on market. We use a Ecoflow Delta 3 (plus auxiliary). Should we need to it can power the whole van using a ehu cable with 3 pin plug adapter. Keep the non fridge usage down & it can last days. If you can disable the leisure battery charging via the consumer unit even better so all the powerbank capacity is used for power rather than charging.
One thing to bear in mind with both fridges and coolboxes, is that their performance and longevity of storage (ice melt etc.) is VERY dependent on ambient temps, and as a regular visitor to the Lakes over many years, believe me, it's not always 'The Frozen North!' with dull days and chill temps, it can get pretty toasty on fine days. Inside tents, cars, MH's, well any enclosed space, it can get a LOT hotter in the sun than outdoor ambient temps would suggest, high 30's and even 40's is not unknown, so fridges and coolboxes can be pushed hard!
Not sure why you say the fridge in your MH 'won't last'. Typical inbuilt 3-way fridges running on gas should use typically 18g/hr max, that's getting on for 2.5 days on one Kg of gas, probably at least double that in normal conditions. It will never run off 12v without the engine running (if correctly installed).
I use an Icey Tek camping. They last really well if you pre-chill and put frozen / chilled goods in them with good ice packs. And then open the lid as little as possible. Throw in a bag of ice from a shop if it starts to get warm.
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: Gas Cool Box Needed
via mobile 08/4/2026 at 11:51pm
