Cheap Fridge <$400 shipped
- Thread starter teotwaki
- Start date
RHINO
Expedition Leader
i have not been able to do the dual range thing with mine,,, the temp fluctuates between cycles enough, and the thermal mass of contents tends to "Share" with its neighbor.
i was able to keep ice cream soft frozen overnite by placing a loose fitting sheet of styrofoam over it in the bottom of the unit. the theory was to let falling cold air in but keep it trapped from exchanging with other contents on top,, worked pretty well keeping the ice cream enjoyable w/o freezing everything else in the fridge.
i was able to keep ice cream soft frozen overnite by placing a loose fitting sheet of styrofoam over it in the bottom of the unit. the theory was to let falling cold air in but keep it trapped from exchanging with other contents on top,, worked pretty well keeping the ice cream enjoyable w/o freezing everything else in the fridge.
What temp you had it set at?
Eventhough
Explorer
I've been testing mine to try and find a setting where I can have frozen and fridged foods at the same time. I used three Nalgene bottles with water - placed one on top of the compressor, one in the very bottom, and one in the small basket hanging over the deepest section.
At 30 all 3 froze solid
At 31 all 3 froze solid
At 32 all 3 froze solid
At 33 the Nalgene in the basket did not freeze - other two froze solid
Need to test at 34...
If I can't get a consistent freeze/thaw point then I'll just go with somewhere around 35-36 to keep my beer cold!
At 30 all 3 froze solid
At 31 all 3 froze solid
At 32 all 3 froze solid
At 33 the Nalgene in the basket did not freeze - other two froze solid
Need to test at 34...
If I can't get a consistent freeze/thaw point then I'll just go with somewhere around 35-36 to keep my beer cold!
rusty_tlc
Explorer
I've been thinking about this since we are considering buying one of these fridges. Why not just use it as a freezer and have a regular ice chest to keep stuff cool. Since we use frozen juice jugs for ice we could just cycle them through the freezer everyday. One jug along with the frozen meat and stuff in the freezer, and two in the cooler with the fresh veggies, dairy and beverages.
Silver dude
Xplorer
The ARB fridge has a wall that sort of isolates the two chambers. Maybe a chunk of styrofoam would suffice? If you really wanted to you could put like a insulated cloth lunch box or similar in the upper chamber to help keep things warmer then what is in the bottom.
I'll be fine with refrigerated foods as I rarely travel for more then a week. But, I could see the need for ice cream or other luxury items. By which case I would probably store drinks outside the fridge then drop them in a hour or so before I drink them.
I'll be fine with refrigerated foods as I rarely travel for more then a week. But, I could see the need for ice cream or other luxury items. By which case I would probably store drinks outside the fridge then drop them in a hour or so before I drink them.
Eventhough
Explorer
I would be fine with just refrigerated food and not any frozen food. This was just a little curiosity I had to satisfy. It would be awesome to have ice cream along with your regular items. I don't want to carry a second unit (cooler) when the 43 qt model is enough to hold all my food for upwards of a week.
Eventhough
Explorer
I was amazed at how well my fridge was packed. It was within a heavy cardboard box, which was within a second box and between the two were beefy padding on the corners. You would have to really drop this thing pretty hard to hurt it.
My hinges looked pretty bomber. The latch isn't super heavy duty but works fine. I don't regret purchasing mine one bit.
My hinges looked pretty bomber. The latch isn't super heavy duty but works fine. I don't regret purchasing mine one bit.
mattman8706
Observer
The fridge just got shipped to my apartment today and the ladies in the office called and said it is taking up too much room in the office. :victory:
I am in colorado and can't wait to go home and get it.
I am in colorado and can't wait to go home and get it.
mikelite80
Adventurer
I wouldn't call it spotty build quality, the quality is just fine. People always complain about the latch being loose, but with them all being loose there must be a reason behind that. Lots seem to tighten them but I haven't seen a reason to yet. You never hear it bouncing open. The only other common complaint is the 12v plug. Well it is a $400 fridge, they have to save money somewhere! But I've bought other products that didn't work well in certain plugs compared to others.
Stop thinking about it and just buy one!
Mike
Pedro
Capitan rally fluffer
I sent back my loose latch fridge because the latch would just fall off the catch.
the new one has positive latching action. I am very pleased with it.
Yeah, I know. But I'm a cheap bastard, and every time I think about pulling the trigger on something like this, I think: "Why don't I not?" So I get to keep my money a little longer and just pack the cooler with ice, again.
Eventhough
Explorer
I moved mine over into the back of my FJC and it just like a glove. I will have to fab some sort of low profile sliders to make access easier since mine sits on top of a set of storage drawers and you don't have much space to get into the fridge.