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Post by Teachndad on Jul 11, 2015 22:58:22 GMT -8
Hi,
Andy doesn't have an ice box. I have started looking for an ice box rather than wait til I am at that point. We all know how long it takes to score some of this stuff, LOL.
I ran across a Magic Chef dorm size fridge in HD last night. www.homedepot.com/p/Magic-Chef-2-6-cu-ft-Mini-Refrigerator-in-White-ENERGY-STAR-HMBR265WE1/203405145 It would fit with a little shaving of the opening on either side.
Originally, I was going to seek the icebox because I generally dry camp and very seldom are we at full hookup campgrounds. So, that leaves the ice box. But, after seeing the dorm fridge, I wondered if it could be cooled with electricity before the trip and then place some large frozen water bottles or cartons in the fridge to keep things cool. Then eventually, replenish the frozen large water bottles with ice in large gallon ziplocks. At least, with a fridge, I will always have that option to plug in.
So, What is better for cooling when dry camping - the fridge with containerized ice, or the ice box?.
Of course, a fridge operated on propane is the answer, but it's so pricey and I would need to install venting on Andy's skin. I am not ready for either of those.
Cheers
Rod
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kirkadie
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'69 Serro Scotty Hilander
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Post by kirkadie on Jul 12, 2015 4:49:14 GMT -8
I'm in the midst of the same decision here. I spent the last two days rebuilding Scotty's original ice box while looking into alternatives. I scrapped the dorm frige idea only because when being used as an unplugged ice box, where would the moisture go as the ice melts? I sure wouldn't want to drill a drain hole in it as those little units depend more on the refrigeration than the insulation to keep cool. In the end, I chopped off the original Styrofoam and have rewrapped it in the foilfaced stuff I'm using to insulate between the 1Xs on the trailer body. VTS sells the same model now as was installed in Scotty back in 1969, and their price is much lower than modern RV dealers and RV supply houses are asking. www.vintagetrailersupply.com/Ice_Box_p/vts-810.htm |
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Post by vintagebruce on Jul 12, 2015 5:21:56 GMT -8
I purchased one of the Coleman coolers that can use ice 12V or 110V power, thinking it would be the answer. Keep it in the tow vehicle while en route, plugged into the cigarette lighter socket and run 12V or 110V when camping or use ice. I am disappointed. The literature says it is NOT a fridge, but suggests it will keep liquids up to 30-35 degrees cooler than ambient temperature. It will "cool" but not the promised 30 degree differential, and it is noticeably noisy. I use mine as an ice chest and it does work fine for that. I could not recommend this product for it's intended purpose, based on my actual use in Southern Mississippi. I don't feel too bad about the experiment. I got mine from a K-Mart that was shutting down on store-wide merchandise close-out for $75. You can use it standing up or laying down when plugged in. Same noise either way. www.coleman.com/Products/8570/thermoelectric-coolers |
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poncho62
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99 Springdale 5th Wheel
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Post by poncho62 on Jul 12, 2015 17:22:32 GMT -8
I too have one of those Coleman coolers and it has worked great. If I run it for a few days, the fan ices up. Maybe its because I am in Canada, where the ambient temp is probably a bit lower.
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Post by Teachndad on Jul 15, 2015 4:51:48 GMT -8
Hi All,
I considered the Coleman cooler idea a long time ago, but then I went on to Amazon and read the reviews and they are really poor. Between the sound it makes and the poor reviews I decided to stay away. Maybe it works for you guys, but I think I will pass.
The VTS ice box looks nice and is definitely an option. The capacity seems to be the same as the dorm fridge I was looking at.
Kirkadie mentioned concern for the moisture in the dorm fridge. I thought that could be overcome by putting ice in a double bagged ziplock on a tray or put in frozen filled orange juice cartons or frozen apple juice bottles. When traveling, we have started out with the frozen apple juice bottles that were filled with water and frozen, and then when the ice melts, we get the bagged ice and sometimes put them in ziplocks. Mostly, the ice just gets poured into the camping cooler/ice chest, though.
Obviously, in a cooler, it's not a big deal to have the ice in a tray because it can drain out, but yes, it becomes an issue in the dorm fridge when not near electricity.
I am still seeking opinions of how well insulated the dorm fridges are when compared to a simple ice box. we will assume that the dorm fridge is not powered by electricity in this comparison.
Thanks,
Rod
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RinTin
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Post by RinTin on Jul 15, 2015 5:08:58 GMT -8
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Jul 15, 2015 9:30:08 GMT -8
We have a 1962 Forester that came with a dorm ice box. When we turn it off, we need a towel under the front because of the ice melt-off. A hassle. It's gone once I start on an honest rebuild. I hate to say it, but going with a unit powered by either gas or 120V AC power is something I'll just have to do. Long term I think I'll regret it if I don't spend the money. We camped in the desert last year and every day we needed to find ice. At $2 a day, it adds up. We spent $60 in a month on ice. In the end, we'll have to pay one way or another. Our 62 Shasta has an ice box. It goes through ice at about the same rate as the dorm fridge. We also have a Colman Cooler. Ice lasts more than twice as long but you have to deals with a giant cooler in a small space. If you leave it outside, you're going in and out to get things. A different type of hassle. Pay for a gas/electric fridge and cut a vent or pick the hassle you can live with.  |
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