3-way fridge vs. dorm fridge

[DaneCampers]

I've seen some info on here about adding a fan and the proper baffling to make the 3-way fridge work better. Before I go that route, spending money and time, I'd like to gather some opinions about whether a small dorm fridge would keep cool the best, or whether I should do the mods on the 3-way fridge. We camp in Texas, sometimes in 95-100 degree temps, and my fridge is not anywhere near keeping food cold enough to be safe. I've just been using a cooler, but I hate not being able to use the fridge. We always camp with electricity, so the 3-way is not necessary. I just wonder which one is better. Any comments?

[brgmgb]

At Menards they had a 110V/12V Fridge/Cooler.  You can lay it on its back and use like a cooler, or you can stand it up and use like a refrigerator.

I would like to get one to replace the ice box.  We now take a cooler with us, so we could take this one instead and be able to keep the contents cold during the drive (TV has 12V outlet in cargo area in back).

I did a search and found the following at Walmart.com:

Coleman Powerchill 40 Quart Thermo-Electric Cooler




Description
Whether upright or on its side, this thermo-electric cooler keeps up to 40 quarts of your favorite foods and drinks cold. No matter how hot it gets, it will cool to 44

[Cheryl]

We've used both the 3 way style and Dorm fridges and I preferred the Dorm fridge. I always had problems stabilizing the temp in the 3-way but not in the Dorm. We used to use the 3-way as pot storage and set the Dorm up on the top of the stove (which we never used, we like to cook outside) on top of a towel and it was just about perfect. Everything was at eye level and there was more room in the Dorm fridge. DH's coffe maker went on top of the Dorm so as not to clutter the little bit of counter space we had. I hope this helps,
Cheryl

[tlhdoc]

At Menards they had a 110V/12V Fridge/Cooler. You can lay it on its back and use like a cooler, or you can stand it up and use like a refrigerator.
 

The problem with the electric coolers is they only cool 40 to 44 degrees below the air temperature.  I have use one when it is cool out, but in 100 degree heat food will spoil.

[AustinBoston]

• Cools to 44

[DaneCampers]

I think we might try a dorm fridge, and just set it on the counter above the 3-way fridge. I think we'll just leave the 3-way where it is for now, just in case we have to go back to that at some point. I was thinking I could store our extra drinks in it. They would get sort of cool, and then we can refill the drink cooler from there. Food would go in the dorm fridge for safe temps. I have a fridge thermometer, so I'll try it all out while it's still in the upper 90's here.

[brainpause]

No where near adequate when temps are 90-100

[hoppy]

I have had both the 3-way and the dorm style fridges in my PU's.

 If you elect to do all your camping  at CG's with electric, the dorm style fridge is the best choice in my opinion. The amonia gas absorption systems can't hold a candle (tongue in cheek) to the refrigeration capabilities and temperature control  of a compressor / freon  type system. The down-side of the dorm style is that you will not be able to run them during travel, they are a little more noisy than the 3-ways, and you must have electric at the site.

  I never had a problem keeping and controlling the temperature inside the dorm style.... no matter what the outside temperature was. With the 3-way, I need to be very careful about the amount of times that I open and close the door to maintain the "safe" temperature in there.

[dthurk]

Our camper came with an "ice box".  I used the ice tray as a template to cut out a shelf for the ice box from a left over piece of 12" laminate flooring.  It was just the right width.  We keep canned goods and dry goods in the ice box.  We use a dorm refrigerator in the camper while camping.  We've never camped without at least some kind of electrical hookups, so that's worked well for us.  We use coolers to transport food to and from camping trips, then use the coolers for additional food storage while camping, mostly for cans and bottles of drinks.  We keep a minimal number of cans in the 'fridge and replace as we drink from the coolers outdoors, so we're not particularly concerned with the coolers keeping things cold.  We'll use blue ice packs to keep the coolers coold on the drive in, then keep them in the dorm 'fridge freezer to keep cold for the trip home.  Has worked so far for trips as long as 8 hours from home.  

We'd certainly have to work out something else if we were to dry camp or be on the road for longer periods of time.  I might consider trying one of the 5 day coolers as a start.  Our coolers are the older "shorter" variety.  As a related question: How well do the 5 day coolers work?

[brainpause]

As a related question: How well do the 5 day coolers work?

We recently purchased a Coleman Extreme (earlier this year). We have been pretty pleased with it, although I'm not sure 5 days of keeping ice is exactly right. However, I was building a deck last weekend, and I put a 10# back of ice in it with a little water (for starters), and drank out of it for 5 days (using the spigot). I rarely opened it, as you would have to with food or canned drinks. There was a small amount of ice (couple of pounds) after 4 days, and the water was still very cold.

Larry

[tlhdoc]

As a related question: How well do the 5 day coolers work?

They work very well, IF you follow the directions.  Have items pre-cooled, and use a good amount of ice to start with.

[Old Goat]

If and when the three way fridge in my Niagara dies it will surely be replaced with a dorm fridge....I have been using the Igloo five day coolers since they first came out and have found them to work very well if kept in the shade........