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Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Original poster

Electric cool bags

21 replies

Ladysaurus · 15/06/2023 10:17

Wondering if anyone has any experience of using electric cool bags? Good? Bad? Ugly?

Looking for something I can keep dairy and cooked meat chilled in, in a hotel room, in the southwestof England in early September. I'm not a camper so have virtually zero experience of these things.

I've only seen them with a 12v cigarette lighter plug, but have seen converters for 12v to AC plug.

Concerned about both food and electrical safety. Unfortunately food allergies means I need to be able to prepare my own food but there were not suitable self catering accommodations for when I am going.

OP posts:
NisekoWhistler · 15/06/2023 10:23

I've been living with one of these for the past ten weeks whist we have a kitchen renovation. Borrowed from a friend and no branding is I can't recommend one to get. Sounds perfect for your situation, it's has a regular plug on it. Perfect when shopping every day. I wouldn't leave stuff in there for longer than 3 days as it can't stay at 3/4 degrees. Might not have been helped by this glorious weather mind.

Original poster
Ladysaurus · 15/06/2023 11:09

@NisekoWhistler I hope you don't mind me asking a few questions...

Are you using a box or a bag? I heard bags can only do 12 under external temperature...
Also, do you leave it plugged in at all times? I've read of melting plugs (albeit on the 12V plug ones...)

OP posts:
PotatoCatkin · 15/06/2023 11:20

Check out Go Outdoors or Blacks for the Hi Gear Thermec 45L portable fridge.

I'm about to buy one for camping. I've heard such good things about them, both websites have offers and you can use on 240v or 12v.

Original poster
Ladysaurus · 15/06/2023 11:30

I also need to think about weight and size during travel. I'm not travelling by car. That's why I was hopeful about the bags as they're lighter and collapsible.

My thought was to take an empty collapsed electric cool bag. Set it up and do a shop once arrived, empty/eat contents before return journey with it. As my allergies aren't going anywhere I'm happy to make a medium investment for future travels, but only if they're cool enough and not going to start a fire.

I often have to travel by train/coach so minimising weight and stuff to carry is equally as important.

OP posts:
CrotchetyQuaver · 15/06/2023 11:51

I would check to see if there's a fridge in the room that you can use, there often is

newtb · 15/06/2023 11:54

Camping gaz do them. Have, before Brexit, taken frozen prawns from Costco to SW France with 1 hôtel stop en route. Prawns arrived still frozen.

You can get bigger ones designed for boats.

Original poster
Ladysaurus · 15/06/2023 11:55

I have and there isn't. And (without prompting, they simply offered the information, presumably from being asked by previous guests) I can't keep food in the accommodations fridge.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ladysaurus · 15/06/2023 12:03

@newtb... Had a quick check of there website. Can't find any electric cool bags from CampingGaz. But I'm not up on terminology, maybe I'm searching wrong? Have you got a link?

OP posts:
deplorabelle · 15/06/2023 12:12

I think you will honestly be fine with a conventional coolbag in this scenario. When you do your shop, buy a couple of bags of the cheapest frozen vegetables you can find to act as ice packs round the food. I have done lots of camping and days out and it's always fine (even kept a box of ice cream cold at the beach for several hours)

If you keep the bag out of direct sun it will be fine for a few days. You can increase the bag's insulation properties by wrapping it in hotel duvets while you're out.

If you are visiting people who live in the area ask them to freeze some long life cartons of fruit juice for you. They make amazing ice blocks and you can drink the contents when they thaw so no waste

CMOTDibbler · 15/06/2023 12:26

I'd go with a coolbag which you put ziplock bags full of ice in to cool the food. You'll be able to get plenty of ice to renew it in the hotel and it will keep things cooler than an electric cool box plus be a lot lighter to carry.

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 15/06/2023 12:33

I think a decent cool bag /box is much much better than the plug in ones. They are better insulated. I’ve found they actually keep stuff cool whilst the electric ones just keep it vaguely cold.
costco have igloo boxes with wheels at the moment and some cool bags.
my order of decent ones go
yeti
igloo
coleman
ive also used polystyrene boxes from frozen pet food suppliers. Surprisingly good!!

I freeze bottles of water instead of using ice blocks. Seem to be better AND you have cold water to drink. The bottles have stayed as ice in the polystyrene boxes over melting in the 12v cooler.

Original poster
Ladysaurus · 15/06/2023 13:12

Just to reiterate as I don't think I've been clear.

  • I cannot carry a weighty cool box + normal baggage all the way on the transport I am using.
  • I don't want to keep wasting bags of frozen veg every couple of days, I'm there for 6.
  • I'm not visiting people so will not have access to refreshing ice packs, nor do I want that extra weight nor will I have anywhere to freeze bottles of water after arrival.
  • There is no ice machine for me to access at my accommodation. So I can just keep refilling that way.

I am and was always aware of these many options but have ruled them out for their own reasons. Hence asking specifically about electric cool bags and whether they keep food chilled sufficiently.

OP posts:
VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 15/06/2023 13:38

Ladysaurus · 15/06/2023 13:12

Just to reiterate as I don't think I've been clear.

  • I cannot carry a weighty cool box + normal baggage all the way on the transport I am using.
  • I don't want to keep wasting bags of frozen veg every couple of days, I'm there for 6.
  • I'm not visiting people so will not have access to refreshing ice packs, nor do I want that extra weight nor will I have anywhere to freeze bottles of water after arrival.
  • There is no ice machine for me to access at my accommodation. So I can just keep refilling that way.

I am and was always aware of these many options but have ruled them out for their own reasons. Hence asking specifically about electric cool bags and whether they keep food chilled sufficiently.

… but thank you everyone for your advice and wealth of experience in the matter???

if you want a specific answer to the question about electric cool bags. The consensus is, sort of. But there’s better options.

OneHundredOtters · 15/06/2023 13:41

We've got a drybag cool bag that is very effective when we go camping. We buy ice every couple of days and as it is leakproof it is ok if it melts we just tip it out and refill.

If you are close to a shop I'd say your best option is to just pick up stuff as you need it though?

DelilahBucket · 15/06/2023 13:51

I would be really concerned about food safety for meat and dairy. It's one thing sticking your sandwiches and snacks in a cool bag and eating them at lunch time, it's another thing entirely wanting to use it as a fridge. The temperature needs to be 3-5 degrees, and without regular ice top ups you're not going to maintain that in a warm hotel room.

deplorabelle · 15/06/2023 14:45

Ladysaurus · 15/06/2023 13:12

Just to reiterate as I don't think I've been clear.

  • I cannot carry a weighty cool box + normal baggage all the way on the transport I am using.
  • I don't want to keep wasting bags of frozen veg every couple of days, I'm there for 6.
  • I'm not visiting people so will not have access to refreshing ice packs, nor do I want that extra weight nor will I have anywhere to freeze bottles of water after arrival.
  • There is no ice machine for me to access at my accommodation. So I can just keep refilling that way.

I am and was always aware of these many options but have ruled them out for their own reasons. Hence asking specifically about electric cool bags and whether they keep food chilled sufficiently.

Wow are you my sister? Some of those points came across in your OP but some of them are things people can't possibly know in advance.

I suggested buying frozen vegetables as ice packs (and a better alternative in case you were visiting people in the area but you aren't so forget I said it). I would argue it's less wasteful to throw away a few bags of frozen carrots than have a piece of tech that doesn't work that well shipped around the world.

Since you said you haven't camped I thought I'd speak about this from a camping standpoint in case it is useful. But if all you want is some VERY SPECIFIC advice on the piece of dubious technology you've definitely decided to buy then sorry I can't help you.

or just buy tins of tuna and eat those no refrigerator required

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 15/06/2023 16:23

DelilahBucket · 15/06/2023 13:51

I would be really concerned about food safety for meat and dairy. It's one thing sticking your sandwiches and snacks in a cool bag and eating them at lunch time, it's another thing entirely wanting to use it as a fridge. The temperature needs to be 3-5 degrees, and without regular ice top ups you're not going to maintain that in a warm hotel room.

This is a really good point. They won’t keep things cold enough really. They keep things cooler than the ambient temperature. But not cold enough to be safe.

Augend23 · 15/06/2023 16:39

Hotels can often put a fridge in the room e.g. for people who are diabetic. So is it that they definitely can't provide one or they just don't automatically?

CMOTDibbler · 15/06/2023 17:55

You say you don't have access to an ice machine, but if the hotel has a bar or restaurant they will have ice and all you have to do is ask. Even very small places will give you a bag of ice

EggInANest · 16/06/2023 13:16

I heard bags can only do 12 under external temperature...

This is normal for 12v plug in boxes and bags, so I guess it depends whether this will be cold enough for you. Does your room have air conditioning so you can keep ambient temperature down?

Funf · 16/06/2023 13:18

There are two types, both bulky
Compressor type just look like a cool box but cost £300 + we have one its fantastic just like a real fridge freezer, 12v or mains

In the past we have had the £100 ones from Halfords etc they work on a Peltor cooling effect. They will only chill down so many degrees so if its 30 outside no way will it get any where near 4 degrees.
You do get what you pay for.
Compressor type
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alpicool-Refrigerator-Portable-Campervan-Electric/dp/B091KYMC5G/ref=asc_df_B091KYMC5G/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=534912619392&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10566984092753074732&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046510&hvtargid=pla-1394919885969&psc=1

Peltor type
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08BP2X2KP/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B08BP2X2KP&pd_rd_w=9ThBV&content-id=amzn1.sym.84ea1bf1-65a8-4363-b8f5-f0df58cbb686&pf_rd_p=84ea1bf1-65a8-4363-b8f5-f0df58cbb686&pf_rd_r=R4QMJJY3B0Y824S1B523&pd_rd_wg=1j8kv&pd_rd_r=2d8d6905-c724-433f-8a52-d022be98e6e6&s=sports&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw

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