Electric Coolboxes - Yay or Nay?

Electric Coolboxes - Yay or Nay?

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Discussion

JQ

Original Poster:

5,691 posts

178 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
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With camping season looming, first trip next weekend, I'm thinking of things to add to the already bulging supply cabinet.

Our camping generally consists of long weekends away, although 2016 may see us take a longer trip. We currently have a traditional cool box which we fill with ice blocks and lots of grub and a few beers. I've always fancied the idea of an electric coolbox but I'm not sure why, we don't tend to camp at sites with electric hook-ups, so it would only be powered whilst in the car.

Would it be a complete waste of money, or are they actually really good? I think I just like the idea of buying something new.

ta

andy-integrale

411 posts

190 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
JQ said:
With camping season looming, first trip next weekend, I'm thinking of things to add to the already bulging supply cabinet.

Our camping generally consists of long weekends away, although 2016 may see us take a longer trip. We currently have a traditional cool box which we fill with ice blocks and lots of grub and a few beers. I've always fancied the idea of an electric coolbox but I'm not sure why, we don't tend to camp at sites with electric hook-ups, so it would only be powered whilst in the car.

Would it be a complete waste of money, or are they actually really good? I think I just like the idea of buying something new.

ta
We had one for a while. Used it to supplement small fridge in our old van. Bear in mind they can be quite noisy. Will take quite a bit of boot space too.

Fishtigua

9,786 posts

194 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
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A good coolbox is £50 or a 12/220v for a ton? I think if I was staying off the beaten track, a good call.

http://www.waecofridges.co.uk/coolbox/mobicoolg35....

GAjon

3,721 posts

212 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
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If you want to spend a few quid, what about one that canrun off a gas canister aswell?


http://www.worldofcamping.co.uk/dometic-absirption...

Spuffington

1,203 posts

167 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
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I have a 12v/240ac cool box (Outwell?) and have used it over the last few years for both camping trips and also for weekends away to hotels (my daughter has food allergies, so we have to take her grub with us) and it's been brilliant.

On warmer days, you need to watch that it's plugged in constantly and also has a good amount of ice blocks in to start with in order to keep everything cool from the outset. But with ambient temps of c 25degs, it can keep perishables fresh for 2-3days.

Only cost £80 or so and pleased with the investment. I have an X5 so it sits comfortably in the boot, plugged into the 12v socket until we get where we're going. When I had my 550i, it had to sit (strapped in) on the rear bench.

Yes, it's noisey, but it becomes a bit of a white noise and I've easily fallen asleep next to it whilst camping.

JQ

Original Poster:

5,691 posts

178 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
Cheers for the responses. I'd expected everyone to say they were a waste of money. Looks like I've got some research to do and money to spend.

FredericRobinson

3,668 posts

231 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2015
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I've been thinking of going for a 3 way fridge, am I right in thinking they need to be level to operate on gas?

Piglet

6,250 posts

254 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2015
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Yes a 3 way does need to be level, we fitted a small stick on round spirit bubble inside of ours to help with levelling. My original Combicool 3 way was more tolerant of gradient than the replacement Mobicool which really does need to be very level. A dustpan makes a good variable levelling device or a couple of wooden wedges.

I don't rate electric coolboxes, check what they cool do, many are only 15 degrees below ambient, which in a hot tent will leave your food too warm.

GlenMH

5,203 posts

242 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2015
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We have got a 12/220V mobicool which has been great with young kids. Bring it down to temp for 24 hours in the house, move to the car and leave plugged in the boot accessory point while travelling. Also a good idea to pre-chill stuff to go in there as much as possible.

It has also got wheels which makes shifting it when full far easier.

Piglet makes a good point - the Mobicool will go down to 20deg below ambient, which we have found to be sufficient and we have never needed to use ice blocks to keep milk/cheese etc fresh.

crankedup

25,764 posts

242 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
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Thought about a leccy box but decided to stick with the old coolbox. I use the frozen plastic block and a bottle of frozen water to keep things fresh for a couple of days.

Watchman

6,391 posts

244 months

Monday 27th April 2015
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Peltor fans will only cool to a number of degrees below ambient, and will deplete a 12v battery fairly quickly.

A compressor cool box (similar tech to your home fridge) will only fun off mains but is the best solution for guaranteeing a set temperature. You're probably looking at a good £200 for one though.

Long term refrigeration away from a mains supply needs gas really. These can fun for ages on a single bottle.

Troubleatmill

10,210 posts

158 months

Sunday 3rd May 2015
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Engel fridges Nothing else will do. Can go down to -18c. Won't flatten your battery. Very low power consumption.

I've tried everything else. The Engel is the daddy.

JM

3,170 posts

205 months

Tuesday 12th May 2015
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JQ said:
Cheers for the responses. I'd expected everyone to say they were a waste of money. Looks like I've got some research to do and money to spend.
I got a cheap 12v only 'fridge' a couple of years ago. (less than £50)

Works pretty well for me.
I freeze a couple of 2ltr bottles of water and put them on the top when leaving.
Plug into a cigarette lighter (just on with ignition) and put everything into the box cold from the fridge, at home or supermarket. A couple of frozen things help as well.
I found the 2ltr water was still partly frozen even after a couple of days and things in it were still noticeably cold to the touch.


bern

1,262 posts

219 months

Sunday 24th May 2015
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Been camping for years and never needed one, until last year in the Isle of Wight. It was so hot if you bought a pint of milk in the morning it was cheese by dinner time. Ended up getting one from the local tesco using a load of club card points I didn't know I had, cost me £3 I think!!

It did its job and was ok for keeping already cold things cold but wouldn't take something from room temperature down to cold very easily, beer for example!

We helped it along with some ice packs from the local shop. It will definitely be coming with us this year.