Portable Refrigerators: Keep You Cool at the Campsite

A reliable portable refrigerator is a must-have for those who enjoy road trips and camping. With the ability to keep food and drinks cold, fresh, or even frozen for long periods of time (sometimes up to weeks), it allows adventurers to go further and stay outdoors longer than ever before. However, for a refrigerator to operate efficiently, a reliable power source is essential. Fortunately, advances in battery technology, including the development of high-capacity lithium batteries and more efficient solar charging systems, have made it easier and cheaper to power a portable refrigerator than it was a few years ago.

Historically, portable refrigerators have been fairly simple in design. Most resembled a traditional cooler: a box with a lid that opened from the top. The main difference was that these portable refrigerators had a compressor and evaporator inside, rather than being filled with ice. They also came with a power cord that could be plugged into a vehicle's 12V outlet or connected directly to the vehicle's starting battery. These box-style refrigerators are still widely available today and remain the most popular choice among travelers. However, they have emerged alongside other types of 12V refrigerators, such as drawer-style refrigerators and upright refrigerators, which may be a better fit for your needs depending on your vehicle's setup. Additionally, the advent of portable power packs (and portable solar panels) means there's no need to install an auxiliary battery in your vehicle to run the refrigerator.

Fridge Basics

No matter which style of portable fridge you choose, it's vital to double-check the specifications to make sure it fits your needs. The fridge should be the right size for your requirements, not too heavy, and not too power-hungry. Portable fridges come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from compact thermoelectric cooler-style fridges that fit neatly between the front seats to large 80-litre or larger compressor fridges with separate fridge and freezer compartments. An important distinction to note is between thermoelectric and compressor fridges; thermoelectric coolers have no compressor and can only cool to a certain level below the ambient temperature. For example, if the cooler can reduce the temperature by 18°C from the ambient temperature, and the temperature inside your car is 25°C, the cooler will only cool to around 7°C. In contrast, a quality compressor fridge will be able to maintain the temperature at the set point (freezing or below) regardless of the ambient conditions, as long as there is a reliable power source.

Despite this, some refrigerators are more efficient than others. Efficiency depends primarily on the performance of the compressor, the design and location of the evaporator (the cooling surface inside the cabinet), and the quality of the insulation and door seals. Generally speaking, the more efficient a refrigerator is, the less power it will require to maintain the desired temperature. This is especially important when you're relying on your vehicle's electrical system to keep your food and drinks cold.

The location of the refrigerator in the vehicle can also affect its efficiency. For example, if the refrigerator is exposed to direct sunlight or placed in the rear headliner of the vehicle with poor ventilation, it will have to work harder to keep the refrigerator contents cool. It is also important to leave enough space around the compressor to ensure adequate air circulation, which is essential for the refrigerator to operate efficiently.

When considering fridge size, think about whether you need a compact fridge for a weekend getaway or a large fridge for a multi-week trip. Your decision should also factor in how much space you have in your vehicle for the fridge. It’s best to assess how much food and drink you need to store, and which non-perishable items can be stored elsewhere for emergencies. For short trips, a 40-60 liter fridge is often ideal, as it can usually hold enough food for a family weekend getaway or a couple on a long trip. Here I would recommend the colku GC series camping fridges, which have different capacities of 15L/20L/26L/36L/42L/57L and different functional configurations for you to choose from. Also consider the weight of the fridge; a 30-liter fridge is much lighter than an 80-liter fridge, which weighs about 30 kg before anything is loaded into it. This weight will eat into your vehicle’s payload capacity.

Chest Fridges

The traditional chest portable fridge is still a favourite among many travellers, and for good reason. One of the main benefits of a chest fridge is its ability to hold a large number of items and pack them securely inside. The more items you put into the fridge, the less likely they are to tip over or spill when the fridge is bumped around in the back of a moving vehicle. Another benefit is that the more items you have in the fridge, the better it is at maintaining the set temperature. These refrigerated items help to stabilise the internal temperature, making the fridge run more efficiently.

One big advantage of chest fridges is their top-mounted lid, which ensures that the cold air remains inside when the lid is opened. Also, small chest fridges are truly portable with sturdy handles, so with a portable power source, you can easily remove them from your vehicle and install them next to your campsite. Colku has launched its new GCP series of camping fridges with removable batteries, click on it to check it out.

The downside is that the top opening design of the lid can make accessing items difficult if the fridge is mounted high up in a high-riding vehicle. In this case, you may need a fridge slide to facilitate access, which adds complexity and weight to the setup. Opting for drop-down rails is convenient but expensive and adds more weight.

Many chest freezers come with removable baskets, making it easier to see and access items. For example, Colku DC-62FD, comes with a removable basket. Other features to look for include a smooth interior with drain holes for easy cleaning, and a removable lid, which is useful if your vehicle has height restrictions. Some models have lids that can be opened from either side or one end, providing more flexibility depending on your setup. Additionally, most modern chest freezers come with interior lights, and many offer Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to monitor and adjust the temperature from your mobile device.

Other considerations include a sturdy exterior and lid, sturdy handles that double as tie-down points, and overall durability; the material of the fridge's exterior, whether galvanized steel, stainless steel, hard plastic, or fiberglass, should be chosen based on the intended environment and use.

Upright Refrigerators

If you have enough space in your vehicle, such as a pickup truck with a large roof in the rear, you may want to consider installing an upright refrigerator. One of the main advantages of upright refrigerators is that they do not require refrigerator slides, which can simplify your installation. Accessing the contents of an upright refrigerator is as easy as taking items out of your refrigerator at home. However, unless the items are securely packed, the contents of an upright refrigerator are more likely to move and tip over. In addition, every time you open the door, cold air escapes, requiring the compressor to work harder to maintain the set temperature.

Like chest refrigerators, upright refrigerators also come in a variety of sizes, ranging from 20 liters to more than 100 liters. Here, we would recommend Colku's upright refrigerators DC-40 and DC-50, which have a capacity of 40L and 50L, and are dual-zone designs (with refrigerator and freezer zones) and are available in stainless steel and metal. The size you choose depends on the available space in your vehicle and its payload capacity. The functions of an upright portable refrigerator are similar to those of a kitchen refrigerator, including shelves for storing different items, vegetable/fruit drawers, storage pockets on the door, and a separate freezer compartment. Most refrigerators also come with latches to prevent them from being opened during transport. Next year we will also be launching new upright refrigerators with more possibilities for capacity, the largest capacity being 150L, and also equipped with vegetable/fruit drawers.

Drawer Fridges

Drawer fridges are another innovative option. As the name suggests, these fridges are essentially drawers that fit in the place of a standard cargo drawer at the rear of your vehicle. There are several models to choose from, most with a capacity of between 30 and 40 liters. One of the biggest advantages of a drawer fridge is the ease of access. Simply slide it out to get what you need. Drawer fridges also save space, and unlike upright fridges, they don’t require a separate sliding mechanism, which has the advantage of saving weight. Colku’s hot selling drawer fridges are the DC-23DR and DC-40DR, as well as the newer DC21DRW and DC28DRW.

However, drawer fridges do have some disadvantages. They are usually permanently mounted to the vehicle, which means that even if you don’t need the fridge, you have to sacrifice some cargo space. It also means that they can’t be easily transferred from one vehicle to another. In addition, drawer fridges don’t have a lot of depth, so while they’re great for storing drinks, fruit and vegetables, larger items like milk bottles have to be stored on their side, which increases the risk of spills.

Due to their modest capacity, drawer fridges are better suited for short trips than long ones, unless used in conjunction with an upright fridge. In this case, a drawer fridge is great for storing items you want to have easy and frequent access to, such as drinks and snacks, while you can keep your food in the upright fridge.

In summary, no matter which fridge configuration and power source you choose, using a portable fridge can be a revelation for the camping family. With fresh food and iced drinks always available – and no more worrying about where to get ice – the only thing you need to worry about is how soon you’ll be polite before you open your first iced drink!