Portable Fridge Freezers.

[Refueler]

Zero disconformant and a he is American suspect he likes his beer cold. Why anybody likes cold beer is a total mystery to me.

OH hang on ... I like Guiness Extra Cold .... and I'm a Brit !

But I have to say that most beers - especially US 'fluid' needs to freeze the taste buds before you realise how bad it is !!!

Schlitz - The beer that made Milwaukee famous ......

Really that should be : Schlitz - the beer that gives you sh**s !

 

[B27]

I have friends who have sailed from latitude 60°N to 54°S, why do you need a fridge for a few days onboard?

Do you have one at home?
The reasons will be much the same!

Our first few short cruises in the current boat, we had no fridge. Last August was so hot we struggled to keep milk for more than a day and choice of food in local shops was limited.
Not having a fridge pushes you to eating in pubs more, which gets expensive and I'd often rather be eating in the cockpit than some crowded pub full of tourists. It's our holiday, we want to enjoy it.
I think the fridge cost £190, that's about 6 cheap meals for two ashore? Paid for itself already I think.

OTOH, one of my mattes has a passive coolbox which keeps stuff cold for a few days if well loaded with ice and cold brick things. But cool boxes of that quality cost three figures and a 12V fridge is more versatile.

We don't actually use it much for drink on the boat, happy to go ashore for a decent ale or something or drink red wine. We do use it ashore for beer at parties.

 

[stearman65]

I have friends who have sailed from latitude 60°N to 54°S, why do you need a fridge for a few days onboard?

On a hot summers day it wouldn't take long for fresh food to go off. Being an ex fridge engineer, having some form of basic refrigeration is obvious.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Do you have one at home?

Actually, until I was in my teens, we didn't! And I'm not that old - we're talking about the late 60s. It's a different mindset that's required.

Of course, fresh meat tended to be bought and consumed quickly - but if it wasn't going to be eaten quickly, it was cooked, cooled and then kept covered in a cool place (boats present plenty of places that are cool, below the waterline and adjacent to the hull). It would keep for several days like that. Cheese, butter, bacon, salami, ham and many more are intended for keeping in a cool place - that's how our ancestors ate during the winter. These days, a lot of vacuum-packed foods will keep well in a cool place.

Perhaps I should mention that my father was a Master Grocer, and so knew all about keeping dry foods.

I find that the cold-filtered milk will keep without refrigeration for a week in a cool place.

I don't have a refrigerator on board - it's on my "nice to have" list and I'll get to it one day, but there's no way I regard it as essential. But then again, I like beer that actually tastes of something, so I like "cellar temperature", not "ice cold" - and the former is readily available in the bilges of a boat!

 

[B27]

Actually, until I was in my teens, we didn't! And I'm not that old - we're talking about the late 60s. It's a different mindset that's required.

Of course, fresh meat tended to be bought and consumed quickly - but if it wasn't going to be eaten quickly, it was cooked, cooled and then kept covered in a cool place (boats present plenty of places that are cool, below the waterline and adjacent to the hull). It would keep for several days like that. Cheese, butter, bacon, salami, ham and many more are intended for keeping in a cool place - that's how our ancestors ate during the winter. These days, a lot of vacuum-packed foods will keep well in a cool place.

Perhaps I should mention that my father was a Master Grocer, and so knew all about keeping dry foods.

I find that the cold-filtered milk will keep without refrigeration for a week in a cool place.

I don't have a refrigerator on board - it's on my "nice to have" list and I'll get to it one day, but there's no way I regard it as essential. But then again, I like beer that actually tastes of something, so I like "cellar temperature", not "ice cold" - and the former is readily available in the bilges of a boat!

I'll agree it's not essential, and in the late 60s I knew people who didn't have mains electricity at home, let alone a fridge.
But in those days, milk was delivered 6 days a week.
And if they ran out of meat, they'd probably nip out and shoot something.

These days, when you can get an effective fridge for under £200, which is easily run with £50 worth of solar panels (at least when you want it most!), it seems to me to be a very worthwhile upgrade. There will always be a contingent of sailors living mostly on bacon and bilge-temperature beer. There will always be wives who choose to stay at home....

 

[geem]

I'll agree it's not essential, and in the late 60s I knew people who didn't have mains electricity at home, let alone a fridge.
But in those days, milk was delivered 6 days a week.
And if they ran out of meat, they'd probably nip out and shoot something.

These days, when you can get an effective fridge for under £200, which is easily run with £50 worth of solar panels (at least when you want it most!), it seems to me to be a very worthwhile upgrade. There will always be a contingent of sailors living mostly on bacon and bilge-temperature beer. There will always be wives who choose to stay at home....

Soke people wear horse hair underpants. Swear by them. I prefer a little of my home comforts. Two fridges, ice machine, induction hob, soda stream, projector telly, although we don't watch that often.
We are living aboard in the Caribbean at the moment, although we have property in the .UK. As a Brit in Britian, I enjoy a pint of real ale at cellar temperature. Being over here where its summer and hot as hell. Drinking warm beer would be horrible. Even the Portuguese cool their red wine when it's hot

 

[Neeves]

Just a minor note of caution. If you are considering a reasonable sized fridge, electric ice box, and 60l is not very big if you want to keep food for a week - a full 60l icebox can weight of the order of 60kg - and be difficult to move if you want to take it filled and cold from home to a yacht in a dinghy.

The second comment on ice boxes - they are generally top loading and difficult to access the bottom level - packing becomes a serious art.

I'm sure they exist, but I have not found one yet, but there must be, electric, iceboxes/fridges of 60l with front opening doors (running off 12v/240v).


And on a completely separate note:

The use of lithium opens up the opportunity to use AC electric units, an all electric galley (to keep it on topic). Small electric fridges, 60l say, are the realm of yachts and caravans, is a 60l AC bar fridge, or maybe slightly bigger, a better buy than a dual use, 12v/240v, yacht or caravan fridge. Are there 240v 80l/100l (seems a size that might fit a yacht) front opening fridges - or are they now all 2 door monsters?

Jonathan

 

[William_H]

As said stay away from absorption type fridge as they are terrible on 12v (10A almost continuous) Compressor fridge is way to go. However for a few days away an insulated box can be really successful if you have lots of frozen water bottles etc to start with.
So as much a question, is how big do you want. Compressor fridge is somewhat larger on outside than capacity. So take up space and weight. Perhaps OP has space in mind on boat. Then you possibly want to load up fridge or cool box before leaving home and a full box can be very heavy.
We had a lot of success in car camping using a compressor fridge for frozen food. Each day food needed to defrost was moved to a cool box for days use and reasonably cool. So all questions to be answered by OP for for his personal plans and habits. Experience will eventually find the so,lution for him. ol'will

 

[ChromeDome]

Another Dometic owned brand is Mobicool. Available from several dealers, some within your budget.
Mobicool MCF40 12 Volt - Mains Portable Compressor Fridge or Freezer


Ours works perfectly, been on many travels in a car (hotel rooms) or boat. Nice with digital temp setting, internal light etc. Adjustable, built-in battery protection too. Very low noise.

 

[Refueler]

Just a minor note of caution. If you are considering a reasonable sized fridge, electric ice box, and 60l is not very big if you want to keep food for a week - a full 60l icebox can weight of the order of 60kg - and be difficult to move if you want to take it filled and cold from home to a yacht in a dinghy.

The second comment on ice boxes - they are generally top loading and difficult to access the bottom level - packing becomes a serious art.

I'm sure they exist, but I have not found one yet, but there must be, electric, iceboxes/fridges of 60l with front opening doors (running off 12v/240v).


And on a completely separate note:

The use of lithium opens up the opportunity to use AC electric units, an all electric galley (to keep it on topic). Small electric fridges, 60l say, are the realm of yachts and caravans, is a 60l AC bar fridge, or maybe slightly bigger, a better buy than a dual use, 12v/240v, yacht or caravan fridge. Are there 240v 80l/100l (seems a size that might fit a yacht) front opening fridges - or are they now all 2 door monsters?

Jonathan

Caravans have had tri-fuel front opening fridges for decades ... running of Gas ... 12v ... 240v .... small enough for install.

Only limitation is they do not tolerate large angles from level ... but they will accept small - moderate angle ....

(Just logged in quick - see how you guys are before driving to airport !)

 

[Refueler]

As said stay away from absorption type fridge as they are terrible on 12v (10A almost continuous) Compressor fridge is way to go. However for a few days away an insulated box can be really successful if you have lots of frozen water bottles etc to start with.
So as much a question, is how big do you want. Compressor fridge is somewhat larger on outside than capacity. So take up space and weight. Perhaps OP has space in mind on boat. Then you possibly want to load up fridge or cool box before leaving home and a full box can be very heavy.
We had a lot of success in car camping using a compressor fridge for frozen food. Each day food needed to defrost was moved to a cool box for days use and reasonably cool. So all questions to be answered by OP for for his personal plans and habits. Experience will eventually find the so,lution for him. ol'will

Good points ...

My system is to use my Vevor to freeze things ... then transfer to boats built in fridge box where it can defrost to fridge temp.

Previously on my other boat ... I would transfer to the Peltier coolbox ... but not power the box as it drew up to 8A ..

 

[stearman65]

The second comment on ice boxes - they are generally top loading and difficult to access the bottom level - packing becomes a serious art.

We had a front loader on our Moody 40 CC, only because the original was FL. As an ex fridge engineer, I prefer a top loader, every time you open the door on a front loader, the cold air falls out. Another bad experience I had with a front loader. I was sailing back from Portugal to the UK with a scratch crew. One of them didn't drop the safety catch on the door after getting a drink. it was blowing F6, the door flew open & deposited everything over the cabin floor, disaster.

 

[Neeves]

Caravans have had tri-fuel front opening fridges for decades ... running of Gas ... 12v ... 240v .... small enough for install.

Only limitation is they do not tolerate large angles from level ... but they will accept small - moderate angle ....

(Just logged in quick - see how you guys are before driving to airport !)

To clarify,

I'm well aware small front opening fridges have been, are, available for caravans, yachts, motorhomes etc. We have one a 80l Dometic/Waeco, 12v/240v. These devices are notorious for being expensive, for yachts, and possibly lacking in insulation. Previously we had a 12v/240v/gas fridge - but never used the gas function - it could be powered, 12v, from the tow vehicle on the road and from a power point 240v AC in a van site. Looking at the uptake of lithium in Caravans, Motor Homes and 4x4s here in Oz - many are assuming they will power their refrigeration using Lithium,

My question, to clarify

Is there a, off the shelf, domestic 240v front opening fridge - that now becomes feasible to power from a lithium battery + inverter, that would be small enough to fit, cheaper to buy and more efficient to run (than the thinly clad offerings available from, say, chandlers).

I accept that my question involves buying an inverter - but if you fully embrace lithium you will want an inverter anyway. Offerings need not accept gas - I'm thinking of the all Lithium yacht (in the same way as an all Lithium motor home or caravan).

I know top loaders are more efficient - but if what you need is at the bottom of your top opening freezer - you have to empty it to access. If like us you fish on passage and take decent sized Tuna, King Fish and 'escaped' Atlantic salmon you will need to freeze some (you cannot eat a whole tuna as a continuous source of protein without swearing never to touch tuna again) and getting the fillets to the 'right' layer (without losing all the cold air) is a real challenge.

Our solution is to have both a top opening deep freeze and a front opening fridge (with small freezer box) - the above 80l Dometic - and very strict protocol on packing and retrieving.

Jonathan

 

[B27]

You can buy 'table top' fridges and freezers from mainstream electrical retailers, about £100 last time I looked.
Not many watts, could be run from a small inverter maybe?

If you've ever been on a (monohull) boat with a front-opening fridge in rough water, you will understand one reason why top opening fridges are better on boats.
The other reason is that they don't lose all the cold air when you open them.

If I were building a proper cruising boat, there would be a proper built in fridge with a serious amount of insulation.
That's the kind of refit which I don't have time for on my boat, so a portable camping fridge is a good compromise.
I can well understand some people wanting a much bigger fridge/freezer arrangement, even for a week or two West Country cruise for two people.
But that could talk me into 'needing ' a bigger boat.

There are a lot of boats from last century with built in fridges, terrible insulation, huge power demand, which maybe are ripe for upgrading to a well insulated built-in affair with a modern compressor unit etc.

If one was crossing oceans or whatever, a built in freezer could be an option, then transfer a few 'freezer blocks', those blue brick things, to a coolbox.

We don't take our fridge home between cruises, we turn up at the boat with chilled and frozen food in an insulated bag. Advantage of living 15 minutes from the boat!

 

[Neeves]

The other reason is that they don't lose all the cold air when you open them.

It sounds very 'smarty pantish'

but if the fridge is kept full (just add a bottle of gin to fill the space), there is no cold air to cascade out.

But more seriously, thanks, I wonder how efficient the desk top fridges are.....?

Jonathan

 

[geem]

It sounds very 'smarty pantish'

but if the fridge is kept full (just add a bottle of gin to fill the space), there is no cold air to cascade out.

But more seriously, thanks, I wonder how efficient the desk top fridges are.....?

Jonathan

Top opening fridges are more efficient, especially if you are opening the fridge regularly. Cold air doesn't cascade out. The down side of our top opening fridge is it's deep. About a full arm length to get to the very bottom. It means unpacking a repacking it to get stuff from the bottom.
Our other fridge is a portable type with a basket that lifts out. It works well for us as we can lift the basket out to pack it full of new fruit and veg then drop it into the fridge.
On a monohull, front opening fridges are a pain if you want to get something out and you are sauling on the wrong tack. Open that door at your peril

 

[B27]

It sounds very 'smarty pantish'

but if the fridge is kept full (just add a bottle of gin to fill the space), there is no cold air to cascade out.

But more seriously, thanks, I wonder how efficient the desk top fridges are.....?

Jonathan

If you look at the energy rating for a tabletop freezer, they talk about 180 or so kWh per year.
That's 500Wh per day or a bit over 20W average.
Many seem to be 100W units.
They can be found from about £80 upwards.

Table top fridge about 100kWh per year.

 

[jamie N]

I'd love a fridge on my Folkboat, but really don't have the space. I've overcome the disappointment of this with the realisation that I don't need one. I don't drink milk, hard cheeses don't need refrigeration, beer's easily stored in the bilge and wine in 'the' locker.

 

[stephen_h]

To clarify,

I'm well aware small front opening fridges have been, are, available for caravans, yachts, motorhomes etc. We have one a 80l Dometic/Waeco, 12v/240v. These devices are notorious for being expensive, for yachts, and possibly lacking in insulation. Previously we had a 12v/240v/gas fridge - but never used the gas function - it could be powered, 12v, from the tow vehicle on the road and from a power point 240v AC in a van site. Looking at the uptake of lithium in Caravans, Motor Homes and 4x4s here in Oz - many are assuming they will power their refrigeration using Lithium,

My question, to clarify

Is there a, off the shelf, domestic 240v front opening fridge - that now becomes feasible to power from a lithium battery + inverter, that would be small enough to fit, cheaper to buy and more efficient to run (than the thinly clad offerings available from, say, chandlers).

I accept that my question involves buying an inverter - but if you fully embrace lithium you will want an inverter anyway. Offerings need not accept gas - I'm thinking of the all Lithium yacht (in the same way as an all Lithium motor home or caravan).

I know top loaders are more efficient - but if what you need is at the bottom of your top opening freezer - you have to empty it to access. If like us you fish on passage and take decent sized Tuna, King Fish and 'escaped' Atlantic salmon you will need to freeze some (you cannot eat a whole tuna as a continuous source of protein without swearing never to touch tuna again) and getting the fillets to the 'right' layer (without losing all the cold air) is a real challenge.

Our solution is to have both a top opening deep freeze and a front opening fridge (with small freezer box) - the above 80l Dometic - and very strict protocol on packing and retrieving.

Jonathan

For this season we have fitted a domestic 240v fridge running off a 200w inverter. Fridge was very cheap compared to "marine" fridges - about £120. It runs from our solar - 600w - no problem at all. This fridge does not have a small freezer section which cuts down the power draw considerably. Going to get a small portable freezer to use when needed rather than running all the time when not required i.e shorter trips.

 

[Sandy]

Do you have one at home?

I'm married, of course I have a fridge at home. I see it as a waste of energy as we shop in the French style. Buy stuff and eat it that day.

Really can't see anybody needing a fridge in the UK as few people are away from a shop for more then three days. If you are the change what you eat and drink. UHT milk keeps for weeks and once opened is usually consumed in 24 hours.