When it comes to camping fridges, it boils down to chest vs upright vs drawer fridges. We take a look at what fridge is right for your setup.
Whether your idea of the ideal adventure is a long weekend down at the local campground with a few good friends and an even better red, or an endless outback odyssey with nothing but a million stars and the perfect campfire to keep you company, there’s one thing we can all agree on, room temperature milk is disgusting. Well, almost any drink, really. Not to mention your meats, fruits, and especially the cheeky little cheese platter you’ve knocked together for yourself.
Yep, if you’re after a good time in the bush, you’re going to need at least a few mod cons in your camp kitchen. But with so many options on the market, how do you choose? We’ve knocked together a handy guide on camping fridges to help you choose the right style fridge for your setup. We’ll also look at what it should run on and what sort of accessories you should pair it with.
Below we’re imparting a little hard-earned wisdom from decades in the bush, but don’t be afraid to share yours too. Have a read, then jump in the comments and let us know what camping fridges work for you. More importantly, tell us what doesn’t work for you.
The humble chest fridge (and slide)
The absolute workhorse of every campsite between Broome and Byron Bay is the humble chest fridge. It’s been the go-to camping fridge for literally decades, and for good reason. Typically referred to as a fridge/freezer, a chest fridge can be packed tight for maximum efficiency of space. They’re relatively energy efficient, requiring a basic 12v set-up, and can be purchased in a variety of sizes.
If you’re just after a little additional storage in a camping fridge for your tow-tug to supplement your van, you can get one as small as 30L. After bulk storage for an extended trip on the road? There are 100L+ options that’ll feed a family for weeks. These options typically have two separate compartments for multiple zones.
The downside is that they’re quite cumbersome. However, when you pair them with a fridge slide or drop slide, they’re actually surprisingly usable. If the back isn’t quite what it used to be, Clearview even offer a motorised electric fridge slide. This handy slide will give you quick and easy access with the push of a button. While larger vans or canopy setups may get a little choice with their fridge options, camper trailers are almost always going to be limited to a chest fridge due to the design of their external kitchen.
Upright camping fridges
Long the realm of caravans permanently mounted up at the local park on cinderblocks, upright camping fridges are having a huge resurgence of late. No matter the camping style, an upright fridge provides a familiar storage system that many people find more comfortable. There’s nothing quite like being camped in the middle of nowhere and just opening the fridge to grab a beverage.
Much like the chest fridge, upright fridges are available in a wide variety of sizes, from 40L to over 200L, depending on the brand. The smaller versions are proving popular in 4×4 canopy fit-outs due to their ease of access. But they’re not without (a lot of) negatives.
Upright camping fridges simply can’t be packed as full as a chest fridge, meaning you’re trading access for practicality. You’ll be lucky to get as much into a 200L upright as you would a 100L chest while still taking up far more space in your setup. A 40L chest fridge can easily store a week’s food, while a 40L upright will be pushing it for a long weekend.
They also have a unique footprint that makes them a near non-starter for anything outside of a caravan. The dimensions of a camper trailer or canopy mean you’ll only fit a 40L upright camping fridge into a spot that would otherwise fit an 80L chest fridge.
If you’re looking for an internal kitchen option inside a caravan or a small secondary fridge in a ute canopy, then an upright fridge is a worthy consideration. But for campers or bulk storage, they’re limited.
Drawer fridges for camping
If space is at a premium, you need to run your eyes over a drawer fridge to consider if they’re right for your camping set up. Essentially a small chest fridge with its own internal slide, the drawer fridge is perfect for small 4x4s like the Suzuki Jimny, or for extra cold storage in canopy fit-outs or caravan storage. There are a few pros to the drawer fridge. Their compact nature means they can be easily stashed in otherwise dead spaces or thrown in as a secondary fridge. An upright on one side for access and a drawer on the other for additional storage is a common sight.
But the cons do outweigh the pros. Size vs power usage is generally pretty lopsided. A 30L drawer fridge can draw as much juice as a chest or upright of twice the size and obviously, this is an issue when camping. They are also limited in space too. With just enough vertical room to fit a can of drink, you’re not storing any large bottles easily, and you can forget about an iceberg lettuce in there too. If you’re after a space to stash some cold drinks or food in your tow-tug for an overnighter away from the van or camper, then they’re well worth a look at.
Accessories
It’s worth mentioning that deciding on the right fridge for your needs is only half the battle for planning a usable, efficient camp kitchen. The accessories you choose can play just as big a part in the overall cooking experience. It can mean the difference between struggling to cook up some snags, to effortlessly knocking together a Sunday roast. A popular upgrade to a fridge slide is a clip-on tray as it easily expands your prep area.
It’s worth eyeing off a pantry setup as well. Many caravans and campers will include a storage area for stowing away non-perishable items. But if you’re spec’ing up a canopy setup instead of a caravan, it’s worth checking out bolt-in solutions. We’ve used the Clearview Pantry setup before and rated it for its ability to not only store our cooking equipment and food but to fold out into a dedicated prep and cooking space as well. Something almost every canopy on the market overlooks.
Power source for your camping fridge
If you’ve decided on the camping fridge that best suits your needs, you may still be wondering about the pros and cons of how to power it. These days, with 12v electrical systems growing from strength to strength, most fridges will be a compressor or two-way type. These fridges, as the names imply, have two ways of powering a compressor. Either 12v when running directly off a vehicle-mounted electrical system or 240v when hooked up to mains power.
The benefit of these systems is they’re typically more powerful than the alternatives, can function as a freezer, and don’t require level terrain to operate, making them perfect for off-highway touring. The downside is that the power draw can be extensive, and the compressor itself can be noisy. Not an issue for fridges mounted away from your sleeping area, but relevant to caravans with internal fridges.
The alternative is what’s known as a three-way fridge. These camping fridges use 12v, 240v, or LPG to power a gas-flow-exchange system. The benefit is blissful silent operation. As without the need for a potentially expensive 12v setup, you can run one off your BBQ gas bottle. The downside is the fridge has to remain level at all times – not always possible off the beaten track. They can also be knocked around by ambient temperatures, so may not be suitable for a trip to the top end.
Now that you’re an expert on camping fridges, which one is right for you?
Choosing the right camping fridge for your outdoor adventures can make or break your camping trip. Whether you opt for a chest, upright or drawer fridge, each option has its own advantages and limitations.
Ultimately, the choice of camping fridge depends on your specific needs and preferences. Consider factors such as available space, required fridge size, power requirements, and the type of camping setup you have.
