Visiting exotic places for days or more can easily get you caught up in the heat of the adventure, but will your consumables last enough to sustain you throughout your trip?
In this article, we give you ideas on how to prolong the lifespan of your go-to meals and other treats with the help of an overland fridge.
If you’re searching for possible F150 overland mods, see Top 3 Ford F150 Overland Builds.
WHAT IS AN OVERLAND FRIDGE?
An overland fridge is a portable version of your home fridge that you could take on your various trips containing some of your snacks and other frozen goods. When your food is inside an overland fridge, they not only last for a week but also for months, depending on the storage capacity and features the fridge itself provides.
WHY BUY AN OVERLAND FRIDGE?
Some of the perks of buying an overland fridge include but aren’t limited to the following:
- Prevent food spoilage.
- Prevent excess food waste.
- Avoid food and drink from spilling.
- Give additional space for more food and drinks.
- Evenly preserve food and drinks.
WHAT SIZE OF OVERLAND FRIDGE SHOULD I BUY?
The overland fridge size greatly depends on how long you’ll be using it. Simply put, the longer you’ll be staying outdoors means the more items you’ll be filling your overland fridge with.
To get the size that’s most appropriate for your needs, you measure your overland fridge’s capacity almost like that of a cooler which corresponds to a number of cans. While there may be some slight size variations between the 2 according to the brand and model, the general rule is 1 quart is equal to a 0.75 can, which will be your basis for conversion.
| Overland Fridge Size | Can Capacity |
| 25 Qts. | 18 |
| 30 Qts. | 22 |
| 40 Qts. | 30 |
| 50 Qts. | 37 |
| 60 Qts. | 45 |
| 70 Qts. | 52 |
| 80 Qts. | 60 |
| 90 Qts. | 67 |
| 100 Qts. | 75 |
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A COOLER AND A FRIDGE?
At a glance, a cooler and fridge appear to be the same but they’re 2 separate units in terms of their overall functions. One dominant advantage of using a fridge over a cooler is the former properly secures your meats and veggies, that prevents water from seeping through them. Other distinctions are given above.
HOW MUCH IS AN OVERLAND FRIDGE?
The cost of an overland fridge is also dependent on its storage capacity. The bigger it is, the more expensive it is. But if you prefer something that’s both affordable and very useful, there are overland fridges that have taller or higher lids than the usual ones so they can accommodate not only the typical soda cans but also water and beer bottles. They usually cost around $200-$300.
Some best budget overland fridges are:
- F40C4TMP 12-volt Portable Refrigerator
- JOYTUTUS 12-volt Refrigerator
- KEED BING Portable Refrigerator
Another thing to look at when getting an overland fridge, is if it has an adjustable temperature range. Other variants can be adjusted from -8 degrees Fahrenheit to -50 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of minutes (about 20 minutes to 1 hour) with a rapid freeze feature. They may also have stainless steel side handles for rust resistance and could be plugged into both AC and DC outlets. They’re worth $400-$600.
If you don’t mind spending extra money on overland fridges, the high-end ones are also a great choice as they don’t draw too much electrical power. They normally function as a fridge and freezer at the same time and could have flexible mounting options. Such types cost around $1,000.
CONCLUSION
Choosing an overland fridge is not necessarily black and white because it really depends on what works well for you. One overland fridge may not be as useful as another for reasons of experience, preference, and utility. But if there’s one thing we can all agree on, the advantages should always outweigh the disadvantages. Leave a comment below and share us your thoughts.
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