A portable fridge is very convenient when you want to go camping. This is because it allows you to carry all the supplies you will need during your stay at the camp. The other advantage is that it guarantees that your perishable supplies will have a longer shelf life. On the other hand, shopping for such a fridge can be a bit tricky for a beginner. For a start, there are so many brands in the market that make it difficult to make a choice. The tips below elaborate on the things that you must factor into when buying a fridge for camping.
1. Dual Function
Since you will need to keep some supplies frozen, it’s important you look for a fridge that can double as a freezer. Some brands offer double baskets so that you can keep your stuff in either the ordinary fridge or the freezer. You might also like a model that features a removable divider that can be used to separate fresh fruits, drinks and vegetables from frozen stuff. There are some models that come with a switch that is used to transform the entire compartment into a freezer when the need arises. It’s also recommended that you pay attention to the size of the fridge. A bigger compartment will allow you to store enough supplies to avoid the need of having to restock. However, such a fridge will occupy a larger space in your car.
2. Energy Efficiency
A camping fridge gets power from the battery of your car. If you buy a fridge that uses too much power, it will definitely suck a lot of energy from the car battery and eventually cause it to be flat. Such an energy guzzler will require you to turn on the engine more often to be able to meet its power needs. And once the battery is dead, all your supplies will also start going bad. The milk will turn sour, the fruits will overripe. To avoid such a problem, you should settle for a fridge that requires very little energy to remain in operational mode.
3. Strong Construction
By the rule of thumb, you should opt for a fridge that features strong construction. It’s only such a fried that can withstand heavy bumping when you drive on rough terrain. A durable fridge should remain intact when an adult stands on it. At the end of the day, you want an appliance that can last for more than decade without requiring a replacement.
4. Price
It’s generally agreed that camping fridges tend to be more costly than domestic fridges. This is because the manufacturer has to customize them. Regardless of that, you should be able to find a fridge that matches with your budget. However, a cheap fridge will not have as many features as you would expect. But if you want the best experience, you should be ready to pay a premium price. Besides that, established brands are obvious expensive than other brands that are not yet popular. For more information on camping fridges, you should visit comparison sites to find the most affordable deals.
5. Warranty
You should never buy a fridge that doesn’t have a limited time warranty. This is because you will have to repair it with your own money incase it malfunctions. A warranty therefore provides some form of security because you can always take the fridge back to the dealer if it fails to perform as specified by the manufacturer. The dealer can then make arrangements for it to be repaired without asking you for even a single cent.
