Using wine cooler for a fridge

[Uncle Cereal]

Has anybody used a wine cooler for a fridge? Saw one for really cheap on Kijiji (40$). It had the right dimensions and a clear door. Any thought on that?

http://http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/danby-wine-cooler-17-bottle-0431836p.html#.VqBsmK_EirU

[Glenn Baglo]

"Easily set temperature between 6-14°C (43-57°F) with the mechanical thermostat"

Safe temp for storing food is below 40-42F, but if you're just going to drink wine, it should be fine.

[Uncle Cereal]

Right... That's what I just looked up. 4'C is the ideal temp for a fridge, lower than the wine cooler range. A wine only diet while camping? It has something appealing for sure but I don't like wine enough for that! And It's our tradition to remember our vacations...

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Uncle Cereal

A wine only diet while camping? It has something appealing for sure but I don't like wine enough for that! And It's our tradition to remember our vacations...

Wine only diet's while camping are done all the time. As far a remember the vacation goes, is that not what photos are for?

[Mike Magee]

I assume it runs on shore power, correct? Then it will act the same as a dorm fridge: unplug from shore power and travel for 3-4 hours, and your 'fridge' is now 60 or 70 degrees.

[TheWanderers]

What fridge would y'all recommend for a 16' scamp? Ours came with a dorm fridge but I have been wondering if that is really going to work very well at all. Would appreciate recommendations.
Laura (not Bill)

[Uncle Cereal]

Carol, you know camping tricks I don't! That's why you're a senior member! Thanks for passing down your wisdom...

Mike, you are correct. But what Glenn and i found out is that the temperature doesn't drop quite low enough for food. Wine yes, but not food. I would love to find a fridge that's cold enough AND that has a see-through door!

[Glenn Baglo]

I'd be looking for a Dometic fridge that runs on 120V and propane. I'm not familiar with the models that would fit your situation.

[Ian G.]

There is a good chance it will NOT work, we have a similar wine fridge at home and it requires considerable clearance on both the sides and back to work. I cannot find the manual for this specific unit but a similar Danby wine fridge requires 5" clearance on both side, the top and an open top, the manual also states:
"DO NOT Build this appliance into an enclosure:
This appliance is designed for a Free Standing application only and is not intended to be “Built-In”.

[Glenn Baglo]

The main problem is that it doesn't cool to a temperature that is safe for food.
Perfect temp for wine and for growing salmonella in chicken.

[Ian G.]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

The main problem is that it doesn't cool to a temperature that is safe for food.
Perfect temp for wine and for growing salmonella in chicken.

You keep food in the fridge? we never have room for food in our fridge because it is full of wine

[Glenn Baglo]

I have evidence.

[Ian G.]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

I have evidence.

Looks like we are both ready for camping

[Randy J.]

We bought a Mobicool electric cooler to replace our old Dometic when it died. The new cooler runs on 12VDC or from a 120 AC adapter. The company claims it will chill food to a maximum of 20 degrees Celsius below ambient and we have found it so in a number of conditions. It holds more than the old fridge and can be carried in the trailer on car 12V or in the car plugged into the 12V accessory plug. We go on shore power in-situ though as the 46W requirement would quickly drain our modest house battery. There are other brands. Ours on sale was less than 200 dollars.
Oh, and it will warm whatever is inside too, with the flip of a switch.

[Mike Magee]

Originally Posted by Uncle Cereal

Carol, you know camping tricks I don't! That's why you're a senior member! Thanks for passing down your wisdom...

Mike, you are correct. But what Glenn and i found out is that the temperature doesn't drop quite low enough for food. Wine yes, but not food. I would love to find a fridge that's cold enough AND that has a see-through door!

My point was simply that, even if it did cool low enough initially (which it doesn't) it will not keep that temperature anyhow.

[Mike Magee]

Originally Posted by TheWanderers

What fridge would y'all recommend for a 16' scamp? Ours came with a dorm fridge but I have been wondering if that is really going to work very well at all. Would appreciate recommendations.
Laura (not Bill)

I had a dorm fridge in my former Burro. It was useless for my camping style (long drives to reach the mountains from OK). Someone who only had a couple hours to a CG with electric hookup might have better luck.

It depends on what you want, partly. You can get a 3-way fridge by Dometic or Norcold (measure your space and read the size specs on the various models to find what will fit), and use LP or occasionally a bit of 12V DC while traveling. These should do fine in Canada, but in hot US summer weather the cooling can be somewhat anemic; they can only cool to about 35* F below ambient temp. Or you can buy a 12V-only fridge that runs on an efficient Danfoss compressor (like the Engel or Truckfridge units) and hook up a solar panel (at least 100W) on your roof. These cool very well to the temp you set even when it's hot outside.

Actually, if you can get by with one of the smaller, top-loading Truckfridge units, you could put it up front in your tug and plug it into the 12V socket while you drive. Then move it to the trailer when you get to the CG. If the CG has shore power, you can use an adapter to power the fridge.