Camping can be a lot of fun. Whether you’ve decided to camp in the winter or in the summer, there’s nothing better than hitting the road, heading to a beautiful campsite, and spending time with your family and friends.
One of my favorite things to do on a camping trip is to crack open a can of cold drink, but in most cases, that is not possible because of the lack of a refrigerator device.
However everything changed when I got myself a mini fridge. So, if you’re wondering if you can use a mini fridge for your camping trip, that’s exactly what I will discuss in this article.
Read on to learn more.
By the way, The Camping Air Conditioner is sponsored by readers. When you buy through one of our links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
Can I Bring a Mini Fridge on a Camping Trip?
Yes, you can bring a mini fridge with you when camping. And if you’re going on a long-term camping trip to the point where you need to live in a tent, a mini fridge could be a valuable and mandatory asset in your gear pack.
The value of a cold drink or keeping food cold cannot be understated during a trip or in a place where the temperature is generally warm.
Nowadays, there are mini fridges designed to be as portable as possible. These models are equipped with technology that can effectively cool what’s inside without weighing too much.
My preferred model is the Bodega 12V refrigerator (see below), which comes with dual-zone (freezer and fridge zones) at a good value for money. Even though it weighs 41 pounds (19kg), it has heavy-duty wheels, which makes transportation hassle-free.
- Dual-zone (Fridge and Freezer)
- Low energy consumption and 12-v compatible
- Great Value For money
- Heavy-Duty wheels.
- Sizes: 38, 53, 64 quart (36L, 50L, 60L)
So, if you’re worried about lugging around a heavy piece of gear during your trip, you won’t have to do as much with a modern and portable mini fridge.
If you a long-term camper (couple of weeks), maybe you should consider a traditional mini fridge model, such as Upstreman Mini Fridge with Freezer.
With that said, bringing a mini fridge on a camping trip isn’t exactly a simple task. Granted, it’s easier than many people think, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to plan around it.
Using a Mini Fridge in the Tent
You might think placing a mini fridge in the tent might be a great idea. However, I personally advise against this, especially if you’re camping in the summer.
During hotter days, you want to ensure that you don’t have any additional heat sources within your tent as that will make the temperature in the tent unnecessarily high. And yes, this also applies even if you have a tent air conditioner.
Additionally, having food in the tent during a camping trip isn’t a good idea as that could attract wildlife, which is something you want to avoid at all costs. To give you an example, a bear tore into a camper’s tent in a Tennessee park and injured the people inside while searching for food.
Besides that, most mini-fridges, even the smaller models make a humming noise when operating, meaning that if you’re a light sleeper, you might have trouble falling asleep at night due to the noise.
Our suggestion? Leave it in an protected and covered area, where animals cannot access it, such as your vehicle (read our article on how to store food in your car while camping).
How to Power a Mini Fridge While Camping
Depending on where you plan on camping, you may or may not have direct access to the power grid, meaning you need to figure out a way to get your mini fridge running without direct source of power.
There are many ways you can power your mini fridge along with other electric appliances you may have with you. Before resorting to any of the methods we’ll discuss below, it’s important to make sure that you have no other options.
You can always ask a person at the campsite if they have a place to hook up electronics as this will save you a lot of time and effort. But if there’s no electrical source at the campsite, here are the ways you can power your mini fridge.
Use Camping Generators
When you think of generators, there’s a high chance you’re thinking of those loud and bulky machines. Don’t worry, that’s not what I’m talking about at all. These are unpractical and not a reliable solution to the problem.
Nowadays, we have access to many great camping generators designed to be portable, efficient, and silent. You can find many of these online and at your local camping supply store, and they are truly a game changer, especially if you plan on camping for a longer period of time.
All you have to do is turn the generator on, plug in the fridge, and you’ll be able to enjoy cold drinks and store food for your entire camping trip. Things to look out for in a power generator:
- Portable and easy to carry around
- Easy to set up and start using
- Durable and suitable for use in a range of weather conditions
b) Fuel-powered
- Solar-powered - 1000W
- Ideal for off-grid camping
- Safe set up
- Multiple outlet ports (incl USB and 12v)
- Plug & use functionality
- Portable and easy to carry
- 3600 Watts
- Runs on gasoline
Use a Camping Battery
Another alternative to a camping generator is a camping battery. These devices work in the same way but are much more silent. On top of that, you won’t have to buy fuel for it and all you have to do is charge it before the camping trip.
With that said, it can be hard to recharge the battery if it runs out during the camping trip. However, if you’re planning a short trip that will only last a couple of days, many decent camping batteries will do the job without busting the bank.
If you’re planning to camp for a longer period of time, consider getting a camping battery that can be recharged with a mini solar panel (those often come included with the camping battery if the battery is compatible with one).
What to look for in a camping battery:
- Portability
- At least 20,000 mAh
- A range of outputs to provide power for all your needs
- Easy and quick recharging
- Portable camping battery (suitable for powering up your mini fridge)
- Three recharging modes
- Multiple outputs
- 24,000 mAh
Conclusion
A mini-fridge isn’t exactly something that’s on the top of your priorities when out camping. However, they can make for a much more enjoyable camping trip. With a mini fridge, you can chill drinks and store food, which allows you to camp longer and cool down whenever it gets too hot.
On top of that, powering a mini fridge nowadays isn’t too complicated. A lot of camping grounds have a power source right there at the site, and if they don’t, there are many different solutions available for you to purchase at your nearby camping and outdoor store.
So, the next time you go camping, don’t rule out the mini-fridge too soon. It might become one of the best things you’ve ever taken with you on a camping trip.
For over 20 years, Sub Zero & Wolf Appliance Repair Chicago has been the company that homeowners in the Chicago area trust.
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