We have just started camping this year with a young
family of two kids under 5. We have more or less bough everything we need with the exception of a coolbox/fridge.... I have NO idea which one to go for. We borrowed one on our last trip which was a 24ltr plug in your car one and found it definatetly too small as we need to store milk and we like to cook lots of nice food.
We plan on a trip to France (Loire) in August and plkan on camping both here and in France (fair to say we are fair weather campers)
Looking at the larger electric version they seem soooo expensive and I worry about the space issue also in our car and if they are worth it?. Are they loads better than the normal cool boxes with ice packs in them which seem so much cheaper. We definately want to keep milk and meats fresh without having to go to a supermarket every day - more like every few days.Is this possible whislt camping?
We are hiring a fridge when we go to France but I dont want to always have to do this.
We were offered the loan of an electric cool box and it makes a constant buzzing noise that would drive me insane! I would also worry about whether our neighbours would hear it. Do they all make this noise?
We would love one of the igloo coolers but they are just way too big, would never get one in the car. Same with the 3 way fridges, I think you need a trailer for these. Then there's the cost ..
I have looked at a Kampa Evo which is smaller and claims to keep cold for 5 days but is it worth £50?? I just dont know.
So in answer to your question Angela I am totally confused about cool boxes. I know that if you have the money and the space in your car then the Icey Tek or Igloo boxes are best but these dont really work for me.
I am going to keep using my good old regular cool box which has served me well for years until I come up with a better solution.
3-way fridge, then you've got the choice of using it on gas if you can't book an EHU pitch. They cool down more than electric ones too - ours makes ice cubes.
We tried two different electric ones, but we couldn't stand the noise of the fan. Our 3-way fridge is silent running.
I would love a 3 way fridge Jean, in fact there was one up for sale on ebay near us recently. The problem is the size of them - I have a Zafira with a huge boot and I worked out that the fridge would take up nearly a quarter of the boot! I dont have a trailer, and dont really want one, so its not really an option.
I have pretty much ruled out an electric cool box now because of the noise so need to find another option.
I've just reserved a Halfords 24L 12v cool box - they're 30% off at the mo and we've got a £10 off voucher too so it will cost us £39.99 instead of £74.99...looking at the reviews they're very quiet when running.
We've got an igloo already but when we go to France we've got a fridge included with our pitch so we just need something big enough for the journey and for taking milk and something for tea/breakfast as we won't be going food shopping until the first morning on site.
------------- Bev :o)
2013
March - Pooley Bridge (Pod booked!)
May - Spiers House, Pickering
June - La Garangeoire, Vendee, France
Aug - The Cotswolds?
We have an Outwell coolbox that runs off both 12v and 240v, tall enough for 4 pint milk, or 2 ltr coke bottle sizes and can honestly say that it is so quiet you can hardly hear it.
Do the non electic ones keep stuff cool enbough if you add lots of ice packs?
I looked at the igloo ones and also the electic ones. We definately dont have space for a big fridge in our car and we would always book a site with EHU and also a place to freeze icepacks. but its the "hassle" factor I suppose... any cool boxes to stay away from?
Quote: Originally posted by LewLincs3 on 12/5/2011
I've just reserved a Halfords 24L 12v cool box - they're 30% off at the mo and we've got a £10 off voucher too so it will cost us £39.99 instead of £74.99...looking at the reviews they're very quiet when running.
Mine only lasted a year (2 trips) before it broke down went to a 3 way and never looked back
Quote: Originally posted by wakefields on 12/5/2011
Hi there,
We have an Outwell coolbox that runs off both 12v and 240v, tall enough for 4 pint milk, or 2 ltr coke bottle sizes and can honestly say that it is so quiet you can hardly hear it.
Jake
That's the one I've decided to buy after looking at specifications of many others.
------------- Mavis
It is easier to smile than frown so share a smile every day
Got to say ours is 4 yrs old now and has been fantastic, just right size and very reliable.
Regarding the ice packs, yes we use them whn not using EHU, but to be fair it is an extra job to keep doing every day and the big problem is to keep the box cool for a reasonable amount of time you need a few ice packs that take up space for essentials such as beer and luxuries such as food etc :)