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quoteWhat timing. As heatwave after heatwave hits the UK this summer, thoughts must have turned to having a coolbox or coolbag as well as the chilling and/or freezing capabilities already on board your leisure vehicle.
But, if you need some extra capacity at times, help is very much at hand.
You’ll soon find coolboxes (and we’re including coolbags here, too) really do come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes – as well as different modes of operation.
And they’ll prove their versatility with their capacity to transport food to and from picnics, the beach, festivals and more. So, do take time to find a cooler that meets your needs, as well as your budget.
Tips for using a coolbox
- If you’re setting out from home, do pre-cool any food and drink before putting it in your coolbox. A frozen meal that thaws slowly whilst keeping other contents cool can be a major help, too – and could be invaluable when it comes to having that first meal when you arrive at your destination in your caravan, campervan or motorhome.
- Keep foodstuffs wrapped in food quality packaging to prevent any cross-contamination as well as restraining any odours.
- Whatever you end up buying, it’s worth making sure the coolbox can have uses beyond just that of with your caravan, campervan or motorhome.
- Do take into account overall dimensions as well as weight. Have in mind an ideal place to keep your coolbox when it’s on board your leisure vehicle.
- Also, if you go for a compressor coolbox, make sure you have enough space around it to dissipate any fan-extracted air.
- Check the power source. If you want to be that bit more environmentally friendly, you could go for a coolbox that doesn’t use any power directly. Some coolboxes have options for running on portable power sources like batteries or solar panels.
- Consider extra features like smart technology to monitor and control the temperature remotely. Or maybe compartments, dividers, or even integrated cup holders.
Star Player #1
Outwell Eagle Van L
Outwell says if you use this coolbag with an 800ml ice block (not supplied) it will keep contents cool for up to 13 hours.
Features such as welded seams and a 20mm insulation layer help with the cooling performance. It also has a double lid – the whole section can be zipped open or, if you’re in a hurry perhaps, the central padded section is held in place by Velcro and can be instantly ripped open when needed.
Also here is a PEVA (polyethylene vinyl acetate) lining that’s easy to clean. The L variant here has a 26-litre capacity, but if you want less consider the smaller M – its dimensions are 39cm x 24cm x 28cm with a 15-litre capacity.
Key features 100% 300D polyester, twin carry handles, U-shaped opening, mesh side pockets, weight 0.8kg, two-year warranty
Expect to pay £45
Star Player #2
Isabella Compressor
A 40-litre compressor coolbox with a particularly low noise level (38dB) and two cooling modes – Eco keeps energy usage to a minimum, or you can use Max when you want fast performance.
There’s also a three-level battery protection feature to prevent your leisure battery from being fully drained.
Temperature range is -20degC to +20degC, so you can use it for anything from ice making up to keeping contents warm. Also, a divider can be added to split the interior into two compartments – you can still regulate the temperature in the larger one. And there’s an automatic child lock that activates after 20 seconds, preventing any accidental changes to the temperature settings.
It operates from 12V DC or 230V AC with cables supplied for both and comes with a digital display as well as the facility to control things via an app
Key features Leisure battery protector, dimensions 59.4cm x 34.9cm x 44cm high, weight 13.5kg, refrigerant R600a, metal main outer, power consumption 0.045kWh, built-in LED light, spring handles,
Expect to pay £319
Star Player #3
Coleman Snap ‘N Go 35QT
An interesting one this, because it’s almost a hybrid of a sturdy hard-shell coolbox and an easily collapsible, soft coolbag.
It’s a clever folding construction that gives you the best of both worlds – offering the performance equivalent of a solid-sided coolbox along with the ability to pack down to a third of its size, thereby saving valuable storage space when not needed.
The 35 QT here is the smallest model of three yet still can offer up to 45 hours of ice-cold chilling.
Among the key features is a patent-pending TPU lining that’s anti-bacterial for protection against unwanted odours as well as mould. It’s also removable for easy cleaning.
Open size is 57cm x 31cm x 31cm high, collapsing down to a depth of 11cm. Choose between two external colours – Blue Sapphire or lighter blue Daydream.
Key features 33-litre capacity, two side handles, polypropylene outer, polyurethane insulation, thermoplastic polyurethane inner, weight 6kg
Expect to pay £129.99
Star Player #4
Milenco myCOOLMAN 20
From a full range of coolboxes that uses patented German compressor technology, myCOOLMAN 20 is one of the smaller models.
Capacity is a very specific 19.3 litres, but that translates into exactly 24 (smaller) cans of drink!
As well as chilling, it can also be used as a freezer – the full temperature range is between -18degC and +10degC and there’s a turbo cooling function. There’s a full digital display as well as the facility to operated it remotely using a Bluetooth app.
The myCOOLMAN 20 operates from 12V DC as well as 230V mains, with an adapter supplied for the latter. It also has three-stage battery protection.
An option to consider, especially if you’re away from mains hook-up for extended periods, is the £229 lithium-ion PowerPack, which has a run time of up to 18 hours.
Key features 19.3-litre storage capacity, external dimensions 452mm x 346mm x 368mm high, PU insulation, mains adapter included, 0.8Ah power consumption, weight 10kg, energy efficiency rating C, three-year warranty
Expect to pay £269
Star Player #5
Vango Soft Cooler Small – 12L
Vango calls this a soft cooler, despite its pretty rigid sides. The 12L is the smallest in a range of three and, no surprises, it offers some 12 litres of cooling capacity (or 18 330ml cans, if you prefer), with Vango claiming it will keep food and drink cool for up to 48 hours or frozen for up to 24 hours.
There’s a leakproof zip (Vango also supplies a small tube of zipper lubricant) and side and top handles as well as a clip-on shoulder strap with padded section.
And Vango says the main fabric is waterproof and resistant to mildew, punctures and UV rays.
Key features Dimensions 28.5cm x 25.5cm x 31cm high, weight 1kg, antibacterial inner fabric
Expect to pay £100
Star Player #6
Outwell Arctic Chill 8
This diminutive compressor cooler operates in the -20deg C to +20degC temperature range and can work in ambient temperatures of up to 43degC. It’s designed to fit snugly between the front seats of the VW T5/6&6.1 campervan base vehicle (although do check for size if your motorhome has a different base vehicle).
It has an eight-litres capacity and operates from a 12V DC power supply. You can also monitor and change its performance via an app from Outwell.
There’s a padded top that, if you want to use it as a step, can take loads up to 125kg. Also on the top is a recess that’s a wireless phone charger, along with a USB port.
Key features Supplied with 2.5m cable and 12V connector, tilt and vibration protection, weight 9kg, anti-tilt to 40degrees, energy efficiency rating B
Expect to pay £260
Star Player #7
Petromax kx25
A stand-alone coolbox that says it can provide cooling for up to 12 days without any need for electricity. You will need to supply your own ice packs, though, or choose them from a range of complementary accessories that also includes basket inserts and a divider that can also be used as a chopping board.
This coolbox has a double-walled construction with 45mm of cavity insulation and a 25-litre capacity. A drain valve is also here to make dispensing with unwanted liquids easy.
It’s also sturdy enough to double up as an occasional seat, with the lid having a non-slip surface and rubber feet to prevent any unwanted movement.
The Petromax also comes with belt guides for you to add straps if you want to secure the whole unit (whilst travelling, for example) and, if you’re extra keen on security, there are fixings for you to add a U-lock.
There’s also a 50-litre version that comes with the same choice of Black, Olive or Sand colourings.
Key features Polyethylene/polyurethane/silicone/stainless-steel construction, rubber latches, dimensions 58cm x 40.5cm x 45cm high, weight 10.75kg,
Expect to pay £199.95
www.petromax.com and www.berryuseful.co.uk
Star Player #8
Dometic CFX5 45
A mid-range model from Dometic’s CFX5 line-up of six compressor coolboxes, this has a 46-litre capacity (that’s 72 x 330ml cans and/or 10 x 1.5-litre bottles; or a mix of both, of course).
Temperature range is from -22degC up to +20degC and it’s all controllable via an app on your smartphone. It will take a 230V AC or 12V DC power supply Cables supplied), or you could invest further in portable batteries and/or solar panels, also from the Dometic portfolio.
Vacuum insulated polyurethane panels are key to the superior performance levels – heat transfer is reduced considerably, as is heat loss via convection, as well as making the unit more energy-efficient and keeping overall weight down.
Optional extras include a protective cover and a cooler stand.
Key features B energy efficiency rating, refrigerant type R600a, maximum operating temperature 43degC, overall dimensions 69.4cm x 39.8cm x 47.6cm high, net weight 18.3kg, removable wire basket, LED interior light, drain plug, USB port, three-year warranty
Expect to pay £799.99
Star Player #9
Mestic MCC-50
A 50-litre unit that can chill or freeze and can be monitored remotely via an app. It can be operated via 12V DC or 230V mains. External dimensions are 68.2cm x 39.2cm x 49.3cm and it can cope with two-litre bottles stowed upright.
The MCC-50 has a 45Watt power rating and 3.75amps consumption. Other sizes are available.
Key features Aluminium body, LCD display, mains adapter, -18degC to +10degC temperature range, Eco mode, USB port, weight 17.7kg, interior light
Expect to pay £319
And finally… you want ice?
Star Player #10
Dreamfarm Nospilla
If your chiller can freeze water, you’re going to want to make ice cubes, aren’t you? Here’s the answer to the potential for unwanted spills, especially when it comes to leisure vehicle use.
The Dreamfarm Nospilla comes with a silicone lid that clamps to all four sides of the ice mould. The lid also acts as a splash-free filling pad that distributes water to each cube mould (you just need to get the supply pressure right – alternatively, take off the lid and add your water direct).
Better still, turn the whole unit over and the lid acts as a dispenser for its contents.
Nospillas are also designed to stack together, just in case you fancy buying more than one!
Key features Makes 14 cubes at a time, dishwasher safe, BPA-free, dimensions 32cm x 14.3cm
Expect to pay £14.95
Over to you…
Got any advice on coolboxes to pass on to other caravanners, campervanners or motorhomers? Do you often take a coolbox with you on your touring holidays? Feel free to add your comments below.
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