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How Do I Choose the Right Size Camping Fridge?

Large tan tent with awning, chairs, and portable refrigerator

Are you looking for a camping fridge that’s right for your unique needs? Have you considered all of the factors involved in choosing the right size for your camping needs?

When choosing the right size camping fridge, you must measure the space available in your vehicle. Then figure out how long you will be gone or not have access to a grocery store and finally, calculate how much food you need refrigerated for the number of people in your group.

Choosing the right size can be a daunting task, especially if you’re unfamiliar with all the different sizes and models available on the market today. In this post, we’ll look at a few of the factors to consider when deciding what size camping fridge is best for you.

Camping Fridges: What Size is Right

Camping is a great way to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but before you hit the road, it’s essential to make sure you have all the right equipment.

A fridge is one of the most crucial pieces of equipment when camping. Having enough space in your fridge can be paramount for keeping food and beverages cold while away from home. That’s why choosing the right size that fits your needs and requirements is essential.

So how do you know what size is right for you? Here are a few tips on how to choose:

Camper van sink and refrigerator cabinet

Measure Your Vehicle’s Interior – Start by measuring your vehicle’s interior dimensions and consider if there’s enough room for a larger model or whether a smaller one will fit better. This includes measuring any storage compartments suitable for putting a camping fridge. If it doesn’t fit conveniently inside your vehicle or its storage compartment, then don’t buy it!

Estimate How Much You’ll Store – The fundamental basis for choosing the right size is estimating how much food and drinks you’ll need over your trip duration. Consider if you plan on carrying perishable foods, beverages, or both. Make sure that whatever product you pick has enough capacity to store everything you need while ensuring adequate cooling power.

Research Different Brands & Models – When looking at different brands and models, read any customer reviews available, as this can indicate how well they work in real-life conditions.

Be sure to research carefully because plenty of options are available, ranging from smaller models to large-capacity ones with wheels capable of storing large amounts of food and drink items.

Test Before Purchase – It’s always best practice to test various models in person, when possible, before purchasing so you get an accurate idea of their performance capabilities.

In addition, different models may offer additional features such as adjustable thermostats, dividers, or extra storage baskets, which could come in handy – so make sure to check these out too!

Van Camping Life Tip: Plug the fridge in to cool it down before filling and refrigerate all drinks and food before putting it in the camping fridge.

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Here are a couple of units that you might want to consider:

The BougeRV 12-volt refrigerator is perfect for keeping your food fresh on the go. With its compressor refrigeration technology, this refrigerator can fast cool down to 32℉. This model also has a 3-level battery monitor to prevent the fridge from draining your vehicle’s battery. Plus, with its ECO energy-saving mode, this refrigerator consumes less than 45W of power.

If you’re looking for a high-quality, durable, and reliable portable fridge, the Alpicool TA45 is perfect. This fridge has two temperature controls so you can set it as a refrigerator or freezer, depending on your need. In addition, the double detachable fridge doors make it easy to open and close, and you can even reverse the lid to change the opening direction.

The car battery protection feature ensures that your vehicle’s battery won’t be drained when it is in use, and the high-efficiency cooling system keeps your food cold with minimal noise. The LCD panel makes monitoring the fridge’s temperature easy, and the max and eco cooling modes are optional, depending on your needs.

Estimating the Size of a Camping Fridge Based on People

If you’re planning a camping trip with friends or family, it’s helpful to consider how large of a camping fridge you’ll need to provide enough food storage for everybody. When estimating the size required for your group, there are several factors to consider – such as the length of your trip and how much perishable food you plan to bring.

Estimate Duration of Trip – First, try and estimate the duration of your trip and plan accordingly. If it’s only a day or two, then you may not need as much storage space for food items as opposed to if it was an extended stay over multiple days/weeks.

Slide out kitchen in back of camper van

Calculate Food Rate – Next, calculate roughly how much food people will consume each day and factor in some snacks too. An adult typically requires three meals per day (including snacks). So if you have five adults traveling with you, that’s 15 meals that need to be stored!

Factor in Drinks – Also take into account drinks like water, juice, and other beverages, which can take up valuable space in the fridge. Think about storing sodas or water in an ice chest instead.

By considering all these points, you should be able to accurately estimate how big of a model is needed for your specific needs based on the number of people. Don’t forget – it’s always better to get slightly more storage than less, so there’s plenty of space while away from home.

After looking at these factors, choosing the right size should become easier. We have found that the best solution for us is to use two 30-quart fridges and run one as a fridge and the other as a freezer.

What you may be wondering is what does a quart mean? A quart is a unit of measurement used to measure volume and space. One quart is equal to 57.75 cubic inches. Different brands and models may offer choices ranging from 8-50 qt sizes or larger, so do your research and choose the one that best fits your needs.

It’s important to calculate your needs ahead of time to properly gauge how much storage space you may need – such as by estimating the duration of your trip and how many meals will be eaten each day, etc. Only then can you make an informed decision about the right size for you.

Just the Right Size

Choosing the right size camping fridge is an important decision that requires careful consideration of all the factors involved. Researching different brands, models, and customer reviews can help determine which product fits your family’s needs.

Estimating the duration of your trip and how much food/drinks people will consume over this period can also assist in making the correct decision. By following these tips, you should be able to pick out the perfect size for your next outdoor adventure.

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Cindy

Ever since I was little I have been a traveler at heart. It all started when I was six years old and my family took a road trip to Alaska. I enjoy visiting new places and revisiting some of the great locations that I have been to already.