A cooler is an accessory that, depending on the type of trip you make in a van, will be very useful. However, before choosing one, you should think about the duration of your trip, as this will help you to choose one type or another. A weekend getaway is not the same as a long excursion in which you will need to have a greater variety of food and, therefore, an appliance that provides a good conservation of them. You will have to take into account the capacity of the refrigerator, the power supply and, as always, the space you have available. Here are some alternatives. The final decision is up to you.
Compressor coolers for camper vans
Compressor coolers are best for long trips. Their price is high, but they provide excellent cooling results. One model to note is the Dometic CFX3 35 which has a storage capacity of 32 liters and freezes down to -22ºC. In addition, its sealing technology stands out, guaranteeing the necessary airtightness to preserve the cold and reduce energy consumption.
With slightly smaller dimensions you also have the Moracle 20-liter compressor cooler. It incorporates two power supply systems, one that connects to a 12/24 V DC vehicle battery, and another for 110 V to 240 V AC power (ideal for indoors). It is operated through a simple control panel and includes three configurable levels of voltage and battery protection.
Thermoelectric coolers
Alternatively, there are also thermoelectric coolers. These are an ideal alternative for a one or two-day excursion, and are designed primarily for cooling beverages. The Mobicool brand has several models, such as the ME24, with a capacity of 23 liters, which allows the storage of 33 cans or four 1.5 liter bottles lying down or upright. Similarly, you can introduce different types of food. It adds an Eco mode when used at 230 V. Finally, it has a temperature range of 5 to 12 ºC.
If you need a larger capacity refrigerator, the same company has a 26 liter version, the ME27 thermoelectric refrigerator. This will allow you to carry 42 cans or five 1.5 liter bottles.
Classic mini refrigerators
Another possibility is the purchase of a mini thermoelectric refrigerator of classic design, which is connected to the mains. The Mini Refrigerator NVE 4500 B has a capacity of 38 liters, weighs only 9 kilos, emits no noise and operates with a power of 70 W (connection is 220 – 240V – 50 Hz).
Of this same style is the GrandCooler 10000 Silent Black from Cecotec. The capacity of this model is somewhat higher than the previous one, reaching 46 liters. The temperature it admits is between 5 and 15 ºC. It does not produce vibrations and incorporates an Auto Defrost System for automatic defrosting.
Conventional coolers
As a more economical option, you can also go on a trip with a cooler that does not refrigerate.
For travel in a camper van, it forces you to compare ice from time to time, but you save the second battery, and it is a much lighter system.
In this case, you can buy one of the usual plastic ones, but we recommend adding an extra layer of insulation, such as extruded polystyrene (EPX). Or you can even make it yourself, with a plastic box of your choice, and insulate it yourself with two 50mm layers of EPX, and duct tape or sealing tape. It is a seemingly rudimentary option, but I think it is a very good choice because it is light and with 10cm of insulation it preserves food for many hours. It is important that the base and walls have the maximum thickness, but if the lid is only 5cm, it does not matter much.
Come on, you can put your wine to cool down.