Considering a 12v Fridge
If you are going on a camping trip or on a long road trip, then buying a 12v fridge to take with you is a good idea! There is nothing worse than drinking warm drinks or having food go bad because it was not kept at the right temperature. Without a portable fridge you are stuck eating canned or boxed food and drinking warm water, juice or soda. You could always fill an ice chest with food and ice, but then you are constantly having to maintain the ice chest by having to buy new ice and you run the risk of the ice melting which will get all the food wet. Having a mini fridge stocked with fresh food and drinks will make any trip much more pleasurable, and you will save a lot of money on food along the way.
When buying your portable fridge for your next trip it is important to keep a few things in mind.
Brand Names of 12v fridge Manufactuers
First thing to keep in mind is that you may not recognize the manufacturers names as they are not the same as the large refrigerator manufacturers. The most common names you will see are Norcold, Engel, Koolatron and Wagan and from what I’ve seen Engel and Koolatron has the best reputations in quality.
Understanding 12v: The 12v fridge will run off your car, truck, or RV battery, but it is important to be aware that if you run it for too long at one time it may drain your battery. If you are going to use the fridge for a long period of time, it is wise to invest in a second battery. You can also buy an inverter for your car that takes a 12v plug and converts it to a regular 110v AC outlet. This expands your options of portable refrigerators and allows you to use it at home when you are done with your road trip.
Size: Portable fridges are available in so many shapes, sizes and colors you are sure to find something that fits your need. You will definitely want to think about where you are going to store the fridge and how much food you will be storing, as that will determine what size you will need. If you are going to store just a few sandwiches and drinks for a small trip, you could buy a small 12v cooler bag which will hold about 24 12oz cans of soda or beer. If you want to store more food and drinks for a long trip then you will want a bigger fridge like at 36 quart 12v fridge. You should also consider how often you will use this fridge because you may only need a small fridge now but may need a larger one for your next trip.
Bells & Whistles: I never would have thought that a 12v fridge would have bells and whistles, but they do! While it is important to focus on the overall quality of the fridge, it doesn’t hurt to get a little extra for your money. Some of the options you will find are fridges that come equipped with radios so you can listen to some tunes while you eat, warmers so you are not just limited to cold foods, removable and adjustable shelves, and cup holders just to name a few.
Cleaning: The beauty of this type of fridge is that they are easy to clean. Either vacuum them out or wipe them down with a damp cloth. It is important to remember, never submerse the fridge in any liquid and always unplug the fridge before cleaning.
Buying a portable 12v fridge is a great way to enhance any trip. Having cold beers, soda and food on hand at all times will surely make everyone happy and will eliminate the need for fast food. Your wallet will thank you!
The Best 12v Fridge
As we strive to do in all our articles, we try to point you to a very reliable and highly rated product so as to save you some time in your online shopping endeavours. This particular model is highly rated by other folks who already own it. Check it out at Amazon…
