Cooler box and small fridge or big double fridge?

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Cooler box and small fridge or big double fridge?

Post by Derren »

Hi,

Currently I have an Engel 40L fridge (in excellent condition). I also have a good cooler box (probably about 40L capacity as well).

If I am going away for the weekend I just take the fridge along and it isn't set to freeze. On a longer trip I would take both - the fridge will be the freezer and the cooler box will be the "fridge".

Now, while planning out my "packing system" I will need to accommodate both. This morning I had a thought (sigh, which has made things complicated)... maybe I should get a bigger fridge... like a NL 74L or 90L double compartment fridge. Then I don't need the cooler box. It would be overkill for 1 or 2 nights but that is ok.

Of course there is the option of two smaller fridges but I would imagine a NL 90L takes up less space than two Engel 40L fridges.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks
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Edited: Fixed the Engel fridge capacity
Last edited by Derren on Wed Apr 20, 2011 2:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Cooler box and small fridge or big double fridge?

Post by george »

Hi Derren.difficult choice.
Personally i would opt for 2x Engel 40 lt.reason being that if you go for a short trip you only take one and not a big 90 lt half empty.
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Re: Cooler box and small fridge or big double fridge?

Post by OOOOMS »

Derren, one fridge can be very complicated even if it is a 125l.....

Though for weekend trips like you mention a small fridge can do.

Here is my setup which may or may not work for you but then for longer trips?

1 x 95l fridge (everything goes in here except the meat.....) cooldrinks, beers, salad, cheese, cold meats, yogurts, left over meat and,and,and)
1 x 52l for meat only

And that for myself, wife and my 6y old. You can never have enough fridge :wink2:
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Re: Cooler box and small fridge or big double fridge?

Post by Derren »

It is me plus an 8 year old but I should probably plan for a potential extra person.

I am not sure I would want to go 80+ litres and a small one. That takes up a lot of space but I do agree, you can never have enough fridge.

Thinking, the NL 90L would be a better option than the 74L... I haven't looked at other makes of fridges yet (will do that tonight).
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Re: Cooler box and small fridge or big double fridge?

Post by OOOOMS »

Derren, difficult putting meat and beers in the same fridge, me thinks...unless it is a splt system :thumbup:
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Re: Cooler box and small fridge or big double fridge?

Post by arnize2 »

This is one of those topics where there is not a right and a wrong. I have a 40L Engel and a 45L campmaster (one of those blue models you buy from Makro). It works perfectly for me. My son has a 74L National Luna split system. He says that works for him. I do agree with what the others say, but it remains a matter of personal preferences. If your system works for you, make a plan and make it fit.
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Re: Cooler box and small fridge or big double fridge?

Post by Derren »

OOOOMS wrote:Derren, difficult putting meat and beers in the same fridge, me thinks...unless it is a splt system :thumbup:
Yes, probably wouldn't want defrosted meat or frozen beers. :lol:

I would only opt for a fridge that had seperate fridge/freezer compartments. That NL 90L is such. A 50L fridge compartment and a 40L freezer compartment. A downside is that it has only one big door but there is an inner door for the freezer part.

My current system works (cooler box + fridge) but haven't really done any looooong trips. I would save money by not buying a new fridge... the money could be spent on other things.

:think: :think: :think:
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Re: Cooler box and small fridge or big double fridge?

Post by OOOOMS »

arnize2 wrote:This is one of those topics where there is not a right and a wrong. I have a 40L Engel and a 45L campmaster (one of those blue models you buy from Makro). It works perfectly for me. My son has a 74L National Luna split system. He says that works for him. I do agree with what the others say, but it remains a matter of personal preferences. If your system works for you, make a plan and make it fit.
Correct Arno, each individual's family need differs. Would be wise for Derren to look at his long term needs.
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Re: Cooler box and small fridge or big double fridge?

Post by Hoppy »

Two is always better than one for many reasons, one being "big fridges needs big batteries"

I use a 20L and a 40L Engel fridge, the 20 is my freezer and the 40 the fridge, these two are big enough for me as i don't drink that much.
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Re: Cooler box and small fridge or big double fridge?

Post by OOOOMS »

Hoppy wrote:Two is always better than one for many reasons, one being "big fridges needs big batteries"

I use a 20L and a 40L Engel fridge, the 20 is my freezer and the 40 the fridge, these two are big enough for me as i don't drink that much.
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Re: Cooler box and small fridge or big double fridge?

Post by Derren »

Hoppy wrote:as i don't drink that much.
:lol: :lol:
I don't drink much either so I probably certainly don't need the big fridge + small fridge. I could get away with a small fridge + tiny fridge :cool:
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Re: Cooler box and small fridge or big double fridge?

Post by arnize2 »

Allan, that is the reason my son only needs a 74L, while I need a 40L plus a 45L. The cold ones must be kept cold. :lol: :lol:
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Re: Cooler box and small fridge or big double fridge?

Post by chopper »

Derren'
I have a NL 74 litre with 2 separate doors (bought it off a Forum member) and it works well for me on long trips (setting it separately for both freezer & fridge options) ; I use a 50 litre Waeco for the short hops
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Re: Cooler box and small fridge or big double fridge?

Post by BrentC »

Or you leave the beers and use the freezer to make eish to go with the coke and other good stuff :twisted:
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Re: Cooler box and small fridge or big double fridge?

Post by Derren »

Thanks!

Ok, so there are pros/cons for both options... each to his/her own :D:

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Re: Cooler box and small fridge or big double fridge?

Post by FUDGES »

Derren I was in the same situation as you a few months back. Also had a 40l engel for 3 years and bought a 90 twin NL in Jan.
The 40l is used on short trips and 90 for longer trips.
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Re: Cooler box and small fridge or big double fridge?

Post by Derren »

Yeah, that would be the ideal situation... to have both. :)

But I would probably have to sell the 40L to subsidize the cost of the NL 90L.

There isn't really anything wrong with taking the 90L for just a weekend - a bit of an overkill but it will work.
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