For people who love to go camping or travelling in their truck or caravan, the portable fridge and freezer can be a great investment that will ensure cold drinks and well-preserved food and frozen treats. They can be a better alternative to the conventional cooler as it does not require you to refill its ice. Instead, they work like your home refrigerator to keep your food and beverages chilled, and even frozen for as long as needed. This can be handy if you are in the outback or far from the nearest convenience store with ice.
A portable fridge and freezer will typically run off your vehicle's 12-volt electrical system, but they can be plugged on a mains electricity when available at the camp site. Some models can run off a solar panel system, too. Portable fridges and freezers come in different sizes to suit your needs, with the most common being 40L, which can be great for two to three campers on a long weekend. Bigger might seem better when it comes to this type of appliance, but keep in mind that a larger unit will take up more space and draw more current. Moreover, it can push your vehicle beyond its gross vehicle mass. So, take note of your needs and use them as your guide when choosing a portable fridge.
The benefits of the portable fridge and freezer go beyond the convenience they provide in keeping beverages cold and prolonging the shelf life of perishables. They are built to be efficient and perform well, even in high ambient temperatures and in hot cars. Two-way or compressor fridges, which function like your home fridge, are practical if you often traverse or camp out on uneven terrains and inclines. Likewise, they can be powered by your solar panel to save battery life and when electricity is unavailable. Even when plugged into your car's battery, their current draw remains low for a long-term efficiency. Some portable fridge and freezers run on three-way or absorption technology, which enables them to be powered by LPG and 240 or 12 volts. These units are quiet, and they can be handy if you only need them when your car has stopped moving.
