Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Camping and Caravanning Equipment

Topic: Is a fridge any good as a cool box?

vickey

20/6/2011 at 8:53pm
Location: Portsmouth
Outfit: Hobby 540UK Nissan Terrano

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 22/10/2007

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 264

Site Reviews Total:	1

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 Reviews 2018:	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
Site Nights 2018:	0

I have a Dometic 3 way fridge which needs to go in the boot first before I can pack anything else in there. Am leaving at 6am so want to pack the car up the night before and wont reach my final destination until about 8pm so my question is.....................If I get my fridge cold then fill it with my food, freeze my milk and some bits to act as ice blocks (fridge isnt very big and dont want to waste space with ice blocks) will it still be cold 24hrs later?

Dont want to use 12v in car as tight squish and worried about it over heating

-------------
Vickey

D S B

20/6/2011 at 9:12pm
Location: Polesworth Warwickshire
Outfit: Bailey Unicorn III Valencia (LR Disco)

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 06/8/2004

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4700

Site Reviews Total:	26

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 Reviews 2018:	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
Site Nights 2018:	0

I see no reason why it wouldn't work as well as a coolbox. A fridge needs to be insolated to keep in the cold as well as a cool box. The main difference is that where a cool box will just keep things cool, a fridge will make them cool. If you don't plug in the fridge, but instead use ice packs, it will essentially be a cool box, in my opinion. The biggest problem is that, as a fridge is probably bigger than your cool box you may need more ice packs/blocks to keep this larger area cool.

-------------
David

D S B

20/6/2011 at 9:15pm
Location: Polesworth Warwickshire
Outfit: Bailey Unicorn III Valencia (LR Disco)

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 06/8/2004

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4700

Site Reviews Total:	26

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 Reviews 2018:	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
Site Nights 2018:	0

Didn't read your first post properly. I would still use ice packs, to be honest. You could always take less food and buy when you arrive?

-------------
David

vickey

20/6/2011 at 9:23pm
Location: Portsmouth
Outfit: Hobby 540UK Nissan Terrano

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 22/10/2007

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 264

Site Reviews Total:	1

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 Reviews 2018:	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
Site Nights 2018:	0

I could but cant get bacon and sausages in France as good as UK and cant go camping for 2 weeks without a cooked brekkie at least every other day!

I thought if I freezed my milk and curry for dinner on arrival or next day if still frozen and a some sausages and bacon and drink cartons for kids I would waste too much room with cool blocks? Or am I just trying to kid myself?

-------------
Vickey

bolton_lass

20/6/2011 at 9:29pm
Location: Bolton UK
Outfit: Green Vango Maritsa 600

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 11/6/2008

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 56
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	2

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 Reviews 2018:	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
Site Nights 2018:	0

Freezing food should work ok as makeshift ice packs. Thats what we tend to do and it works in the coolbox - milk especially stays frozen for ages.

dezzie

20/6/2011 at 9:40pm
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 23/7/2007

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 2681
Tent Reviews: 3

Site Reviews Total:	16

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 Reviews 2018:	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
Site Nights 2018:	0

I'd imagine it should be fine if you freeze what you can to allow for the rest of your food to stay cool.

-------------
Always forgive,Never forget;Learn from mistakes,But Never regret;People change,Things go wrong;Just remember life goes on

Cool campers use Delta Pegs.

The happiest people aren't the ones who have everything they are the ones who make the most of everything they have

B Chrystie

21/6/2011 at 7:47am
Location: south london
Outfit: khyam Rigipod Excelsior

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 12/4/2004

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 1722

Site Reviews Total:	1

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 Reviews 2018:	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
Site Nights 2018:	0

We have done this and it works fine. Freeze everything that you can, and as it is packed under a load of kit in the car you also have that insulation too!

Lostdreamer

21/6/2011 at 11:37am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 16/5/2010

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 180

Site Reviews Total:	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 Reviews 2018:	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
Site Nights 2018:	0

Quote: I see no reason why it wouldn't work as well as a coolbox.

The fridge mech. It's designed for heat transfer. Just because it is unpowered doesn't mean it isn't there or is useless, it will naturally transfer heat across the temperature gradient (but much more slowly, as the coolant isn't being pumped or anything).

Also most fridges don't have as good insulation/seals as coolboxes simply because they are actively chilled & don't have to.

But to reply to the OP: As long as there is some ice in there (frozen milk should work fine) I think it will be fine for a day unpowered (assuming the car doesn't get at all hot). Just don't expect it to make it through a long weekend without power.

-------------
My opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it.

charlichoo

21/6/2011 at 7:29pm
Location: Yorkshire
Outfit: Back to Tenting in a Cabanon

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 10/7/2007

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 967
Tent Reviews: 2

Site Reviews Total:	2

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 Reviews 2018:	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
Site Nights 2018:	0

Freeze as much of the contents before hand and you'll be fine.

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Camping and Caravanning Equipment - Top of Page

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

10285 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Shop!]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Contact Us] [Tent Reviews]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024

UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder