|
Topic: Camping fridges- Do I need one?
|
 |
23/2/2009 at 9:02pm
Location: West Scotland Helensburgh Outfit: ermmm too many to mention! up to 5 now
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 12/1/2008 Platinum Member 
Forum Posts: 714 Tent Reviews: 2
Site Reviews Total: | 4 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Do you have ehu? We have just got a small fridge that is normally used for cans / beers. We are only really going to use it for milk/cheese and any bangers we buy for breakfasts!
We have spent the last two years with a cool box and ice packs and haven't had a problem but have never had ehu before so taking advantage of it now lol
------------- Sssshhhh You never saw me!
|
23/2/2009 at 9:06pm
Location: Glossop - Gateway to the Dark Peak Outfit: KAMPA Frinton 5 Outwell Nevada S
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 02/6/2007 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 2860 Tent Reviews: 10
Site Reviews Total: | 13 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
I can't speak for French sites, but some (many?) Britsh sites do have gel pack freezing facilities (although some people talk about having packs stolen). A fridge gives you more freedom.
There are electric-powered fridges and 3-way fridges that can be powered by 12V car, mains or gas. The 3-way fridges have different powers, e.g. able to chill to 20 degrees below ambient or 30 degrees below ambient. In France you would need the more powerful 30 degrees below.
I started with a decent cool box (IGLOO) that can keep things chilled for 5 days without the need to replenish the packs. I still use this for short vamps but for anything longer I use a 3-way.
|
23/2/2009 at 9:16pm
Location: Glossop - Gateway to the Dark Peak Outfit: KAMPA Frinton 5 Outwell Nevada S
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 02/6/2007 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 2860 Tent Reviews: 10
Site Reviews Total: | 13 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Certainly the 3-way gives you that freedom. There is another recent thread on 3-ways with different members sticking up for their own model.
|
23/2/2009 at 9:18pm
Location: Glossop - Gateway to the Dark Peak Outfit: KAMPA Frinton 5 Outwell Nevada S
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 02/6/2007 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 2860 Tent Reviews: 10
Site Reviews Total: | 13 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Here
|
23/2/2009 at 9:57pm
Location: Coventry Outfit: Ford Explorer(Dora)& Abbey Spectrum520
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 04/1/2009 Gold Member 
Forum Posts: 239
Site Reviews Total: | 12 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
We bought a table top fridge off ebay rather than a camping fride.I know we're in a caravan and space is an issue when you are camping, but it's a lot more practical.it holds a good few bottles(alcoholic and non-alcoholic) plus cheese, ham etc and even has a freezer bit for my gin ice!!
------------- ...as long as it's dry.....
Lisa xx
count your rainbows not your thunderstorms.....
Easter-York
August-Cornwall
October half term-Dawlish
Xmas-still looking...
|
23/2/2009 at 10:12pm
Location: swansea Outfit: Avondale corfu sunvalley 8
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 05/8/2004 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 7362 Tent Reviews: 6
Site Reviews Total: | 3 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
I wouldn't be without my fridge. I don't mind camping without electric or heaters but I always take the fridge. i have a combicool, so I can use it on gas, and I also have a glass fronted beer fridge from the days when we always used to ge to ehu sites. Space isn't an issue for me and the fridge is one luxury I won't go without. warm wine and soft drinks I can't be doing with.
------------- Debbie
|
24/2/2009 at 7:42am
Location: Bootle Outfit: various tents & A steam train
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 26/9/2004 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 4261 Tent Reviews: 1
Site Reviews Total: | 8 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
I find a fridge useful for keeping things like a pint of milk fresh. Means that I don't have to buy the meat everyday. Which is very handy, saves finding a shop all the time, and arranging your day around shopping. Although I have done without, this was on a site with several freezers dotted around, so that you could just freeze your own icepacks down. Couldn't comment on France.
|
24/2/2009 at 2:41pm
Location: None Entered Outfit: Outwell Vermont XL
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 21/5/2007 Standard Member
Forum Posts: 50
Site Reviews Total: | 5 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
We also are a family of 5 and I wouldn't be without our 3 way fridge. We usually use it on elec but like the freedom of being able to use it on gas as well. It saves going to the shops every day to stock up (I refuse to pay site shop prices but it can be quite a drive to the nearest supermarket) and saves paying for ice packs which seems to be the norm these days.
It is probably the one thing I wouldn't be without when camping - we fit loads in it and it's great to know your milk and marg will be cold after a long hot day on the beach.........sorry, I wandered into dreamland for a moment!!
|
24/2/2009 at 3:30pm
Location: Weymouth Outfit: VW T5 & Outwell Nevada
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 20/7/2006 Platinum Member 
Forum Posts: 750 Tent Reviews: 1
Site Reviews Total: | 3 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Would not go anywhere without one ! We have spent the last two summers in the South of France and would definately recommend taking one if you can carry it. We went for the table top type (cost about £55) and found that it worked really well. Certainly able to make more ice than a 3 way !
------------- Midge21
|
24/2/2009 at 6:31pm
Location: Yorkshire Outfit: Elddis Xplore
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 04/9/2007 Gold Member 
Forum Posts: 280 Tent Reviews: 2
Site Reviews Total: | 5 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Have to agree - I wouldn't be without our 3 way fridge. We tend to cook all our own food rather than eat out or do takeaways. The fridge meant that during the hot weather (yes we do get some sometimes!) I only need to shop every 4 days or so. Plus you get cold beer, wine and soft drinks an added bonus. A lot of the sites we go on won't allow you to freeze your own packs - you have to use/hire the sites. Luckily we got ours second hand when friends switched from tenting to motorhoming.
------------- Life is better with whippets
|
24/2/2009 at 7:31pm
Location: Dorset Outfit: Lots.mainly Cabanons!
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 20/5/2004 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 7020
Site Reviews Total: | 1 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
How are you planning to travel? Unless you have a trailer I'd imagine you're going to struggle to get your family and all your belongings into a car even with a roofbox if you add a fridge.
I love ours but it was the tipping point for going over to a trailer and there are only the two of us!
For this year I'd contact the site you are going to and see if they hire fridges, I think this is very common in France.
------------- Piglet
|
|