If your inclined to tour or travel, nothing beats an efficient caravan fridge for keeping all of your food and drinks cold while on the road. You really want to find a fridge that will work well, and not use up too much power (or fuel). The key fact here is that there are many tradeoffs between the type of caravan fridges that are available. You basically have 3 main types of caravan fridges. First is a thermoelectric fridge which is great for keeping groceries cool on a short run in your car. They offer excellent sustained power. The other main type of caravan fridge is the compressor fridge which works well in very high heat environments (up to 110 degrees fahrenheit and even hotter). The third type is the gas fridge which runs on fuel such as propane. The combination of all three power types is called a 3 way fridge as it can be run on main power, car battery which is usually 12v DC electric and on LPG which runs on liquid petroleum gas (or propane).
You should consider several factors when looking for a caravan fridge too meet your cooling needs. You need to find something that will operate on the power you have available. Of course if you can operate the fridge on standard power outlet that is your best option. If you do not have that power source available have a look at something else. While on the road your best option is to choose a 12v car battery power which will draw it's full power source from your auto battery.
As you see, the power supply is one factor that should weigh heavily in your decision of which refrigerator unit to choose when looking for the best caravan fridge. There are other things that need to be thought about too. For example do you have enough space in your fridge to keep enough food and bottled drinks (or drink cans) cold?
A caravan fridge may also be known as a camping fridge, however there are differences. So, what is the difference between a portable fridge, a camping fridge and a caravan fridge? It's very easy, when you want to keep your food cool in a car or at a mobile location a portable fridge will work just fine in that it will let you power the caravan fridge from a 12vDC electrical outlet (such as in your car). A camping fridge can be powered by an LPG gas source making it very portable and excellent at cooling in outdoor locations where a DC outlet, or AC outlet may not be available (*keep in mind that it is dangerous to power a LPG fridge from a moving vehicle - do not ever consider it) .
The most versatile fridge is a caravan fridge as it will usually let you power the fridge from any of the three power sources indicated above. Have a look at the table below for more information on the type of portable fridge you are looking for and the power source that you have available.
| Fridge Type | Power Source |
| Portable Fridge | 12vDC (cigarette lighter) |
| Camping Fridge | LPG Gas or Propane |
| Caravan Fridge | AC Power (house current), 12vDC, LPG Gas |
You can see that the Caravan fridges provide you with the most versatile power arangement, letting you power them from a car lighter outlet, an LPG gas (or propane tank), or from standard AC current around the house. This makes them the absolute best fridge to consider using when you are seeking the most mobile way of keeping your food, or medication cool while traveling! Keep this in mind when choosing your next fridge.
Remember that with any caravan fridge you can run the fridge on LPG, propane fuel using a standard propane tank for up to 10-14 days (or maximum of 3 weeks) at a time. If you're looking to camp for an extended time you can consider refilling your tank, or having several tanks available throughout your long term stay. Your food & beverages will stay nice and cold and you will be happy for a long time, and when it comes time to pack up an move on, just switch over to 12vDC power and plug the unit into your car or RV DC outlet to power the unit for your journey home. Keep in mind that some times a caravan fridge may not operate from DC power, or it may operate for only a limited time. You should check that the fridge you are considering will work with the power supply that you have available.
Using your caravanning fridge on camping or RV trips will definitely provide you with a way to power your fridge in any environment and that will most certainly give you the benefit you need when you require a truly portable cooling solution. ) which can result in a huge loss of cold air and cooling from your fridge. Try not to keep the door standing open for too long (such as more than 35-55 seconds).
One other minor cause for concern is the noise of the refrigerator running. You will want to consider that and be courteous to your friends and roommates that may be in the room more than you are. Will it run quietly, and stay quiet - especially at night when you need the shut eye? Hopefully your mini fridge for college will keep your food cool without too much noise. Whether you need it or not, the portable fridge option is also available - but it's likely that it will not give you enough benefits to make it worth your while, and you'll do better sticking to a mini compact refrigerator to get the job done. Also keep in mind that some LPG powered fridges will allow for a freezer compartment as well, an excellent and efficient way to keep your food/beverages/medicines cool, cold or frozen.
One last thing is to check the interior space of the caravan fridge. Make sure that you have space inside to store your food or drinks that you want to keep cold. Also bear in mind that these fridges can be quite heavy, they will drain battery power quite a bit faster than a standard 2-way fridge. If you choose the right model for you, based on the options that we discussed above, you are sure to find one that will do exactly what you are looking for. The best caravan fridge will keep your items cold with complete freedom and power flexibility, with little repair/service throughout their use. You simply cannot ask for anything better.
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DescriptionWith a 40-quart interior that holds up to 44 cans of soda or beer in addition to snacks, the Coleman portable PowerChill thermoelectric cooler is ideal for the office, dorm, RV, truck, or car. The cooler is compatible with any vehicle's cigarette lighter, but also includes a standard 120-volt power supply that plugs into household outlets... |
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DescriptionThe Koolatron Travel Saver 12 Volt Cooler's Large 45 Quart Capacity and Unique Domed Lid make it a great choice for those long road trips. No more costly stops along the way! Keep your groceries cold while you workout at the gym or pick-up the kids... |
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