How to keep things cool

[Belchfire]

Hi All

I like to eat fresh meat or like keep cooked things for a few day

I know this topic has been discussed here but I was wondering

Can I steal a bucket of ice a few times a week from a hotel or buy it from them?

Buying it at the store is a waste since I only need a third of what they sell since I have a small cooler

Also

Is there a very small propane fridge or a 12 volt fridge  12 inches by 12 inches I could get?

Thanks

 

[ccbreder]

Van dwellers have a hard enough time as it is. Please do not steal ice from motels or anywhere else. Get a larger cooler.

 

[jimindenver]

I would think if you went into a 7-11, a motel, Micky D's, etc. and asked if you could fill a small cooler with Ice for a buck, most would say just go get it and don't worry. (especially if you are making a small purchase at the same time)

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I'm afraid I don't know of any small propane fired fridges.

Engel makes a small fridge that's about 17x12x15 inches.  Internal capacity is said to be about 14 liters.

It's a true compressor fridge.  Unfortunately, it's about $600.

I hear nothing good about those solid state peltier effect coolers.  They may be ok for keeping canned drinks chilled, but I wouldn't trust one to keep food from spoiling.

Regards
John

 

[jimindenver]

We have one of the 12v thermal fridges, it will suck the life out of our trailers grp 27 in about 5 hours. Works great for keeping things cold on the road as long as you unplug it as soon as you shut off the engine.

You might be able to find a smaller propane fridge from a pop up or truck camper if you can instal it.

 

[TravelDerby]

Are you traveling or are you in one location?

If you're in a set location you could try finding an individual or a business willing to lend a little freezer space. Get a high quality cooler, fill up 2-3 empty plastic water jugs and rotate them out a few times per week.

Honestly, when purchased at the right locations ice is dirt cheap! A lot of McDonalds and other fast food restaurants sell bags of ice for around $1 per bag (Just ask many times it's not on the menu). Even if you buy 3 bags per week it's just over $10 per month expense and it would take about 6 years of buying 3 bags per week to equal the cost of a decent 12v compressor freezer!

 

[Belchfire]

Are you traveling or are you in one location?

If you're in a set location you could try finding an individual or a business willing to lend a little freezer space.  Get a high quality cooler,  fill up 2-3 empty plastic water jugs and rotate them out a few times per week.  

Honestly,  when purchased at the right locations ice is dirt cheap!   A lot of McDonalds and other fast food restaurants sell bags of ice for around $1 per bag (Just ask many times it's not on the menu).  Even if you buy 3 bags per week it's just over $10 per month expense and it would take about 6 years of buying 3 bags per week to equal the cost of a decent 12v compressor freezer!

I can try getting it a burger King or Macdonalds
Thanks

 

[Belchfire]

Fast Food restaraunts are a good idea
I could also buy ice at the bars
I will be stationary

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Some places like pilot truck stop let you get free ice if its your own cup. I have a cup i bought from them that is 64 oz mug, its huge. I bet if you crammed it with ice it would be enough for a small cooler to keep cool. Ive seen trucker with bigger ones no one looks twice.

 

[highdesertranger]

well here is my opinion(for what it's worth). ice is expensive, 10 bucks of ice in the summer wouldn't last 4 hours. you not only have to include the price of the ice but also the time and fuel it takes to get it. so what's left, a refer. they do make small ones, but for the price why? just get a 40-60 qt 12v one and be done with it. after the initial investment of your solar, batteries, and refer, whatever you want cold is free without ties to places that sell ice cheap or propane. highdesertranger

 

[TravelDerby]

Totally agree a 12v compressor fridge is the best way to go, but it's not necessarily in everyone's budget. I lucked out in getting my 50qt 12v Dometic freezer unit at an absolute steal (Brand new for $50 =)), but even now I just use it to make ice for my cooler. I keep the freezer in my enclosed trailer and freeze jugs of ice. The ice jugs then go into the cooler in my van as needed. This way I don't deal with the annoying on and off cycling in the van or the extra heat that it throws off in the summer.

 

[LucyImHome]

Some McDonalds will give you as much ice as you want, as in 2 BIG bags FREE. Wherever you go, just ask. Most will say yes, for little or nothing. The ice I was buying in the grocery store melted in no time. It was full of air, like it was frozen carbonated water. I arranged with a friend to use her freezer to rotate plastic gallon jugs. They lasted 4 days, and that was in Palm Springs, CA. in the summer.