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Your 12v Fridge Guide

If you think refrigerators are reserved only for homes, hotels and commercial establishments, you have to check out the portable fridge made specially for motor vehicles – the 12v fridge.  The interiors of cars, trucks and vans have limited space – compared to kitchens – which is why the fridge offers a slew of special features, some of which not found in conventional refrigerators (like the hotpoint refrigerator).  It promotes convenience for travel.

Why Use a 12v Fridge?

The 12v fridge is a cooling storage built for vehicles.  Some models appear like mechanized coolers, while others come in the form of mini fridges hooked up to the air conditioning system. As its name suggests, the fridge is powered by a 12v battery and operates through either a compressor or a thermoelectric motor.  Like other fridges, it is durably built, having a sturdy metal casing, which covers the stored goods and protects the motor.

Normally, people use coolers to store food and beverages when traveling.  A cooler, convenient as it is to use, pales in comparison to the 12v cooler fridge, given the latter’s cooling system.  Stored products tend to get spoiled, especially during long drives, as coolers can retain cold for only a few hours.  The fridge perpetually supplied cold temperatures, through its cooling system, preserving its contents, depending on the battery life.

The 12v Mini Fridge

The 12v mini fridge is a replica of the standard mini fridge used for homes and establishments.  It contains a collection of racks and compartments; advanced models even have freezers, increasing the number of things you can store.  The racks are removable, so you can stuff large items inside the fridge.

The mini fridge is a bit larger than standard 12v fridges.  People use it for vans and trucks, since car interiors are a bit too small, unless you’re willing to sacrifice passenger space for storage.  Having extra batteries is advisable, especially for models with freezers, as power consumption is a bit high.  With it, you won’t have any trouble transporting chilled and frozen goods from one place to another, even for long distances.

The 12v Fridge Freezer

Twelve volts is more than enough to power a fridge motor to yield temperatures beyond the freezing point, thus many a 12v portable fridge have freezers.  This proves to be very convenient, since you can directly port stuff from your refrigerator to the vehicle fridge for transport, including leftovers and frozen goods.  You can bring items that can’t be stuffed in coolers, which is beneficial for those who are changing residences.  Best of all, you can eat ice cream at any time during long a trip. You won’t find a frost free fridge freezer version, so don’t bother looking.

Bonus Features

Apart from cold storage, the 12v fridge has a slew of other features, separating it from the norm of conventional refrigerators.  Some models offer quick cooling, generating spurts of extra-cold temperatures, which counteract very warm outside environments.  Fridges run by thermoelectric motors can thaw and even heat food.  With it, you can have picnics inside your vehicle, perfect for long distance driving.  The 12v fridge, as it appears, is gradually changing the definition of road trips.

Compressor or Thermoelectric?

When buying a 12v fridge, you can get a unit with a compressor or thermoelectric motor.  Both have distinct advantages, catering to the difference in traveling needs.  If you are a traveler with lots of spare cash, you can purchase both types, so you can switch them, depending on your trip’s length.  Remember, the compressor motor concentrates on efficient cold storage, while the thermoelectric motor can produce warm temperature for heating and thawing.

Here are the advantages of compressor fridges:

• Compressor fridges have freezers.  They can dole out temperatures reaching -18 degrees Celsius, enough for storing raw meat and ice cream.
• The quick cooling feature repels the effects of warm external temperature.
• Since the fridge is more powerful than those run by a thermoelectric motor, it can handle larger storage areas.  You can load up to 106 liters for larger models.
• For a powerful device, it, remarkably, operates with low noise levels. Sleeping during travel won’t be a concern.

Here are the advantages of thermoelectric fridges:

• A thermoelectric fridge, as its name suggests, can be used for thawing food.  You can eat leftovers during long drives.
• Thermoelectric fridges – compared to a compressor fridge – require less power, so they can run a lot longer.  This works wonders for out-of-town trips.

The Lowdown

Generally, the compressor 12v fridge is the more popular item.  Its advantages are more beneficial for travelers, given its ability to chill and freeze goods.  The thermoelectric fridge may be peppered with bonus features – not found on its compressor-based counterparts – but, at the end of the day, the real reason why a consumer purchases a fridge is cooling efficiency.  And the compressor fridge happens to be the better product for that department.  Compressor fridges are also more abundant on the market, since the demand for them is a bit higher.

Check out some of the great deals and buy a 12v fridge today.

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