Extra Food Storage

TonyOS
TonyOS Forum Participant Posts: 7

Hi folks,

We're off to Spain in a couple of weeks time and want to take some extra food storage. We've been looking at various types of Coolboxes/Fridges etc but wonder what you guys would recommend? Looking at something 30ltr or bigger that can live out in the awning.
What do people use? Not really concerned about the type i.e compressor/absorbtion. Mostly for storing fresh veg and fruit. Trying to save endless trips to the shops, lol.

Comments

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #2

    A 12 volt car fridge works for us Tony, just for keeping a few bits and pieces chilled, we have a 12 volt socket in a side locker.

     

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2016 #3

    Have  you  got  time to  DASH  to  the  N E C  and  see  if  you  can  pick  one  up  at  "Show  Closing  Special  Rates"  ??

    If  you  have  then  the  World's  your  Shrimp  to  mis-quote  Del  Boy

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #4

    This does beg the question - why?  Food in Spain is cheaper than here and fresher.  Fruit does not need to be chilled; indeed, there is an argument that if it has never been chilled it will last longer if kept at room temperature; ask any ocean sailor.

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #5

    This does beg the question - why?  Food in Spain is cheaper than here and fresher.  Fruit does not need to be chilled; indeed, there is an argument that if it has never been chilled it will last longer if kept at room temperature; ask any ocean sailor.

    I do believe the OP is asking of 'food storage' for when out in Spain, not to transport the fruit and veg from the UK.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited February 2016 #6
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited February 2016 #7
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  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited February 2016 #8

    The temperatures here in Murcia are barely into the teens and near freezing by night. A crate in the awning might be all you need! It'll be a few weeks yet before it begins to warm up.

    We use a 12v/220v cool box, bought from Lildl, to complement our motorhome fridge, but only in summer when the absorption cycle packs up at around 30C ( there's a joke in there for you cyberyacht). Peltier cooling requires a constantly running fan, which
    can be annoying.

    On many continental campsites you can hire a domestic fridge to operate in your awning. 

     

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,873 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #9

    For years we used a 12/230v camping coolbox from Halfords which provided extra storage in the awning. It was surprisingly effective. At least it kept the beer cold!!!

    David

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #10

    We bought a 12v cooling box when in France one year thinking it would come in handy, truth told it now sits in the attic. We tried it but its not really needed, we shop every 3 days or so and the fridge is plenty big enough to cope. We don't have vast quantities
    of beer to store, just a couple of tins at a time. Fruit and veg go in the drop down flap under the oven where its always cool because of the vents.

    Why not give it a try first to see if you really need one, if you do then buy one there, they are usually cheaper anyway.

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004 ✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #11

    We tried a 12v fridge but found it useless, so we bought a three-way (gas, electric and 12v).  That way we can run it on 12v in the car for carrying home shopping which needs to be kept cold, and it sits outside in the awning full of beer and wine when we're
    on site.  It's a bit like this one:

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dometic-RC1200-Portable-Cooler-Version/dp/B004M8BRW6

    We bought it second-hand over ten years ago, and it cost us just £50 then.  I will actually make ice on two small trays which sit on top of the freezer element.

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #12

    We had one similar many years ago when we had an old van with no fridge, it did the job very well.

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited February 2016 #13

    If you are coming to Spain in the next two weeks, don't worry about your vegetables, but bring some winter woolies for when you're out and about.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited February 2016 #14

    We use a 12v/220v cool box, bought from Lildl, to complement our motorhome fridge, but only in summer when the absorption
    cycle packs up at around 30C ( there's a joke in there for you cyberyacht).

    Far be it from me to introduce levity. You're the one pedalling additional capacity. Wink

  • TonySoprano
    TonySoprano Forum Participant Posts: 12
    edited March 2016 #15

    We (family of 5) use The Halfords 40 Litre Mains and 12V Electric Coolbox which can be powered either from 240V mains or by a 12V in-car cigarette plug. It has wheels and a pull out handle make moving it easy.  We find it invaluable for keeping food fresh
    for the trip to Spain and it stay's chilled whilst not powered on the ferry.  When it gets to Spain it becomes the cool box for all the family drinks plugged ith within the awning (in other words keeps my beer chilled).  I'd reccommend it.

    http://www.halfords.com/camping-leisure/camping/coolboxes/halfords-40-litre-mains-and-12v-electric-coolbox