Edgestar Fridge vs Yeti Cooler

[Cobra_R]

I'm sure there have been a number of fridge vs cooler debates but I currently have the option of getting an Edgestar Fridge (or something near that price range) or a yeti cooler. I've heard both good and bad things about edgestar fridges and that's what I've been leaning towards, seems to be about 50/50 positive vs negative and that has me worried. I don't want to end up with a giant paperweight and that's what led me to reconsider a cooler. Coolers can't fail...ever. Fridges can, even high end ones. If a fridge fails on the trail you're SOL and if a cooler runs out of ice you're also SOL but ice is easier to obtain than finding somebody to fix your fridge while you're out traveling.

A lot of people on this forum seem to be about the keep it simple stupid philosophy but it seems like their are more fridge people than cooler people so I'm curious about your experiences and your thoughts on the subject. I'm starting to lean towards a cooler now that I've read so many reviews of edgestar failures.

 

[dlh62c]

I'm a cooler guy myself. I try to manage the contents to prevent the food from swimming in the water. I can lift the bucket out, drain off the water, add more ice and drop the bucket back in.

http://theboatgalley.com/ice-box-cooler-food-storage/

 

[tonkaman]

Don't forget that the fridge IS A COOLER with refrigeration. If it fails then the worst you have is a cooler

 

[SportsmanJake]

Here is one perspective to consider.

I do a lot of different outdoor activities. I only buy gear that can be used on more than one situation.
I would go with a cooler because I can take it car camping, but I can also take it Kayaking, Hunting, or Sailing. It is more flexible.

 

[Stumpalump]

Cooler is for day trips or overnighters in cool weather. Fridge is for overnighters in warm weather and multiple day trips. The best part of a fridge is that you have zero doubt the leftover lunch meat, mayo and potato salad lasts as long as if you would have left it in your home fridge. You can bring raw food like chicken that you would never chance floating in that watery mess. You need both but the yeti style are so thick and bulky that the Colman steel or any cheap cooler like the igloo marine coolers are much more practical and cheap. The only yeti type brand product worth a flip is that high dollar soft sided cooler yeti makes. It conforms in tight spaces better than any cooler and won't kill you in a wreck if it goes flying. Start with a cooler and see if you are wasting enough rotten wet foot to justify a fridge. Save your money, buy an Engle or Luna later down the road and have it for life.

 

[1Louder]

I have both. ARB fridge and a Canyon Cooler. Fridge all the way. Cooler is good for beverages and that's about it. Yes, that is an oversimplification but once you have a fridge you will understand. I would go with an Indel-B but that's just me. I plan on upgrading my 37qt ARB to a 50qt Indel-B. For large trips I will run both. Where a cooler is good is if you need to keep things cool, not cold, reasonably dry, and don't want to risk freezing something in your fridge. Produce would be a good example. I don't like dealing with ice and the hassles of keeping things dry. Cooler is great for quick trips I guess. As long as you can wire the fridge properly and have a battery that can support it go for it. A much larger investment for a much bigger return IMHO. My wife uses the Canyon Cooler all the time for day events where she needs something portable and can take the AZ heat for a day.

 

[ebg18t]

We used a Yeti cooler for years. But once we installed the Engel Fridge we never used the cooler.

 

[Bbasso]

I was using a cooler n ice for a long time then the opportunity to buy a Engel MT45 came and almost immediately I gave away my cooler.
I do very extended trips so having the ability to save money is paying for the fridge...

 

[jmnielsen]

Here is one perspective to consider.

I do a lot of different outdoor activities. I only buy gear that can be used on more than one situation.
I would go with a cooler because I can take it car camping, but I can also take it Kayaking, Hunting, or Sailing. It is more flexible.

This is how I feel about it as well. That's why I bought a Yeti. When I can afford to buy a fridge that can be installed in my offroad camper and live there I will own one, but until then my yeti will work great.

 

[yngbuck19]

I've bought two Pelican coolers a 45Qt and 20Qt. Both are awesome. Better quality IMHO and a little better price than a Yeti. Great warranty too.

I reloaded the 45Qt up with ice one time labor day weekend at the beach and the fresh ice froze into a solid chunk after an hour or so I was amazed how well insulated that cooler is.

 

[captwoody]

I just bought the 51 Indel B 575 delivered best thing I have done in a long time. I went out to imperial valley to hunt and left fridge in truck. drinks and food were perfect. no mess. one night I brought it in to room one night I left it in truck.no ice runs, no empty ice machines which is common at motels during hunting season. Chilled my game down quickly, just hit max cool then back to eco-mode. Plus you can refreeze your ice if you want for your small field cooler- I USE 16OZ water bottles

 

[bjohnston115]

I have the 40quart edge star which has been running non stop for the past 2 years. I have it set to 36 degrees and its maintains it like a champ. There is absolutely No comparison between a fridge and a cooler. Would you buy even the worlds most expensive and best cooler and pop it in your kitchen?


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[lchavez]

I have recently switched to a fridge because I travel quite a bit for business and am out almost every weekend during the nicer months of the year. Like the extra space(no ice), dry contents and temperature control. Keep in mind though that you may need to upgrade your battery system to keep up with it if your not driving for more than a day.


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[4x4junkie]

Don't forget that the fridge IS A COOLER with refrigeration. If it fails then the worst you have is a cooler

This.

It's interesting how often people forget that if a fridge should fail, all you have to do is throw some ice in it and you have one damn well-insulated cooler (if the fridge isn't water-tight, throw a plastic sheet or bag in there before the ice).

I also tend to think a lot of the Edgestar failures from those on this forum are from people who buy the refurbished ones trying to save a buck. I've found the quality of all refurbished products of any type to be quite spotty. It's been about a 50/50 hit or miss for me.
Three friends & I all bought new (not refurb) Edgestars. Not one of them has given us any lick of trouble outside of the occasional broken carry handle (which all have been subsequently replaced with metal chest handles from Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.).


Having the fridge, I don't bother with a cooler anymore except for drinks (non-perishables). By the time the ice is gone, there's usually some room in the fridge I can put some drinks in there if needed.

 

[Xterabl]

My scratch-n-dent Edgestar is 5 years old and still running strong. I have had challenges with a failing controller and thermostat, but those are trivial fixes assuming that (a) a call to support or (b) modicum of technical capacity, are within the faculties of the owner.
Otherwise, the "cheap Chinese" knock-off Danfoss compressor is still running strong, which is the most important thing.