Watch this before you WASTE money! | Esky or Icebox VS Fridge

[@RobertsAdventure]

Good rundown and tips! When I worked on a field surveying crew they ran a semi-permanent drain hose from the esky drain out of the back cab of the ute so they could always drain it and drop in new ice without having to yank it out of the back. If you have a big esky it's pretty handy, clear flex pipe for fishtanks or whatnot usually has something that fits.

[@donfinch862]

Ice cream containers full of water in the freezer a couple of days before the trip works - and can be supplemented with bought ice. As you said, great for a weekender. Smaller ones for a trip to ya mates barbie. They're essential really. Good vid and collab, cheers guys

[@nathanread4198]

I use 3 litre juice bottles and add some table salt to the water, it freezes at a lower temperature so stays cold longer.

[@WesternAustraliaNowAndThen]

If you are into camping and go away regularly, fridges are probably the best bet. If you only go away a couple of times a year, then the Esky is fine. We still have an Esky but it hasn't been used in years! The thing many people may forget is that a 12v fridge is great for every day use as well. We have 3 Engels and a Waeco and one of the Engels lives permenantly in our little day car and it never goes camping. It is so useful to have a fridge in the back of the car just for ordinary groceries when the weather gets warm. You can chuck the ice cream etc. in and go and do other chores without worrying about it melting to a puddle of slush.

[@t0msie]

Dry ice... run two eskies and have the smaller one to keep frozen stuff, swing past BOC and get a block of dry ice, maybe even some pellets and you will be good for a week (throw a few pellets in the big esky with the three bags of ice each day and you're golden)

[@RobertsAdventure]

Two esky system has a lot of benefits whether it's dry ice or blocks or drinks vs food or whatever. Two mdeium is better than one big in my experience.

[@4WheelingInNSW]

Great clip fellas 👍, very enjoyable. One thing worth mentioning too, don’t use the ice cubes, they melt to quick, use frozen blocks. What we used to do ( pre owning a fridge ) is freeze some 2 or 4 litre ice cream containers and don’t forget to mix in some salt with the water as this slows down the melting process and the blocks take a hell of a lot longer to melt due to having a larger surface area to volume ratio then the smaller ice cubes. Plus when you freeze them at home, you’re saving $10 - $15 on ice each trip 😉👍 And if you want to keep the paper wrapped meats etc from getting all wet and soggy,, grab one of those pantry organiser shelf’s from Kmart for $3 or $4 and shot that in the bottom. That way you can store drinks underneath it to keep them cool and your meat can sit on the shelf so it doesn’t end up floating around everywhere - worked a treat for us for many many trips 👍 keep up the great work gents 👍👍🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@Philipk65]

With the esky and ice, you can save a fortune with reusable ice packs or something like techni ice. I do also believe that insulation covers are available for esky's. Another tip is to use a couple of esky's where you use one for the first few days and another for the next few days, needless to say you keep the second one closed and well insulated while you use the first. Just a few ideas and tips. Great video guys and like both your channels 👍

[@RobertsAdventure]

100% on the two esky system.

[@oldbloke204]

Great to see guys who actually use and know the gear discussing the pros and cons. The more expensive ice boxes are better and there are tricks you can use to extend the life of the ice. Block ice, saline slurry ice, keep it full, pre chill etc are all common sense ways of making them last longer. Plastic containers frozen are also a handy back up water supply if things go to crap. Have heard of people using tiny fridge/freezers to make ice to then put in the cooler as well. I won't be going down the fridge route for the reasons stated, including weight and complexity, but my camping buddy has one so we can sort of use both to suit us both. I just pack mine with frozen meat that we can use as we go and he can keep all the other stuff cold. Great video guys thank you.

[@johnxander6305]

When he said there’s a difference between fridge beer and esky beer I hit like, so very very true beers out of the fridge are just don’t hit the same and for that reason I have both, food in the Engel beers and drinks always in the esky

[@sausagesandwichSA]

We only use an esky...but mostly only do outback winter trips where block ice will last a week, top up with party ice and supplies along the way if needed.

[@Ben-xy3jn]

2 litre milk bottles, rinse em out fill 2/3 with water and freeze, no paying for ice and then you can drink the water, also when they melt the water is contained in the bottle..

[@krump743]

Fill them with salt water. Salt water stays frozen for longer then regular ice.

[@Ben-xy3jn]

@@krump743 yeah but tastes shithouse in ya scotch..

[@mmmBax]

Fridge, keeps your groceries cold when you're not camping. Also doubles as a second or third fridge for beer on Christmas Day.

[@Ian-le3bu]

Good summary for your options. I guess it highlights your evolution as you build up your camping equipment over time.

[@SirNari]

solid video. i've been counting my pennies and rocking the esky for quite a while now. My biggest gripe is food wastage! Especially for veggies or meat which is semi-cold and not worth the risk.

[@amaclach]

Where's your sense of adventure?

[@westralianoffroad]

One of our first trips we did with a 150ltr esky. It worked. But it wasn’t easy. Going out of my way when I didn’t otherwise need to, just to get ice, was a real pain. After that trip I sorted a second battery and scored a secondhand fridge immediately. I got it done for under a grand. It changed everything. Good break down boiiis!

[@Alex.G]

Holy shit thats a big boy esky! Being able to do it for under a grand just goes to show not every case is the same. With the cost of a good icebox and a year of ice on regular trips you'd be close to that price anyway!

[@tanamite]

There are a few options to save money on buying ice. Back in the days when I did a lot of camping and fishing in the Top End, we’d make big ice blocks using deep roasting trays at home in the freezer. And if we did buy a few bags of ice, we’d throw always them in the freezer for a day or two before we headed out to get the ice much colder than you can get at the servo... With a well-insulated esky (like Evakool) we’d get a week out of the ice easy.

[@KingEvan87]

I run a big Tupperware container in the esky to store the food which works awesome. Plus I think you can’t beat a can on ice. In saying that I have been looking a fridges for a while and about to pull the trigger I think.

[@steveans]

Fridge best for extended travel but setup with battery etc is expensive Option 3: Small, cheap fridge hooked up to the car outlet (that turns off before battery dead) and tip in some ice every few days. Works for me

[@Phil_McAvity]

The fridge is by far my best mod, I love it. I could never go back to an Esky. I know they’re a lot of money... fridge, battery & slide, but jeez, they’re awesome! 👍

[@infinitydronesolutionswa6123]

Buy a Tupperware container that fits a 3rd of your esky for all the meat and stuff you want to keep dry and the rest is for drinks etc. That’s EXACTLY how you do it Pete 😂😂😂

[@louiskudlak2241]

Great idea 👍

[@WACampingAdventures]

Exactly

[@4x4touring47]

Beat me to it 👌 best way to keep it dry ,👍

[@swompa]

We have used a Rotomolded plastic esky and found it worked better when the water could drain out the bung. Fridge wise, we had a old Waeco which didn’t have thick enough insulation, an $650 Evakool fridge that was great but died after 3 years and had a 2 year warranty...now the Dometic CFX65 which is incredibly efficient and seems to do the job really well!

[@FloydBromley]

Pete's laugh is infectious lol. But great video overall.

[@WACampingAdventures]

Frustrated listening to how many times i said “exactly” what an idiot haha Exactly

[@onebugga9200]

Exactly, I heard your concern

[@Alex.G]

Don't worry mate I feel "exactly" the same 😄

[@4x4CampingandAdventures]

Exactly mate my thoughts exactly

[@ryantilley-general.shenanigans]

@@4x4CampingandAdventures I didnt notice at all untill you pointed it out, i hope you dont get too self conscious when watching yourself because you really are a natural at this.

[@WesternAustraliaNowAndThen]

LOL, yes I watch my stuff back and think, why did I keep saying that? I think everyone does it from time to time.

[@wjoely]

Lots of great points to consider

[@hutchinsonsadventures4678]

you guys work well together,, cheers

[@AdeWhite]

You guys covered pretty much all the main points here. Maybe a little thin on the initial cost of having proper power source for a fridge - solar panel, deep cycle batteries, a good intelligent battery charger and why not might as well throw in an inverter, proper wiring and cables (very important). But then these extras are not just for running the fridge. I've done mine so that the starting battery only has the spotties that are non-factory connected to it (I use PTO winch). All others are powered by the deep cycle batts eg the radio that's running 24/7 during big expeditions, GPS, camping lights, multiport USB chargers, 240v sockets via the inverter, etc. As you mentioned though, having both is definitely the way to go.

[@eroffroad5438]

One point you missed is capacity taken up by the ice that could be more food or beers.

[@WACampingAdventures]

Damn mate you are onto it. Smart thinking...

[@ferretsarg6940]

Fridge is awesome to have for shopping to put the frozen/ fridge items in till you get home lol

[@Alex.G]

Yep I use mine that way a lot!

[@IleneOva]

Do you own a 70 series 🤠

[@favouritejay]

My man, how far do you travel for your shopping?

[@longy6612]

How far do you live from the shops for that to be a problem lol

[@kisbushcraftdownunder]

Fridges are great for remote travel and coolers (good ones)are good for shorter trips if you add up a deep cycle battery $400 a fridge $1200 a DC to Dc charge controller a solar system , wiring and battery mount easy to cost $3K then considering battery life span between 300 to 1000 cycles depending on depth of discharge & extra weight added to car a good $400 cooler starts looking good . I have and use both depending on type and length of trip a week or less its the cooler and no compressor noise at night regards Mike

[@MudducksTouringAustralia]

Good clip Alex & Pete. Cheers Steve

[@Alex.G]

Thanks Steve! 👍

[@DonsShed]

Love me fridge's capability..... not a fan of the fridge itself, because I bought a cheaper model..... will definitely be taking your advice and getting an Engel next time :) Cheers, Don (Dons Shed and Xplor Overland)

[@MicksGarageDarts]

Love my fridge but an esky does at times come in handy. Fridge is the best thing I've put in my 4x4.

[@roamnround]

Nice one lads! You both crack me up every time!

[@michaelpower1412]

Great video , I use an esky filled with frozen water bottles, cheap , plus I'm a tight ass and prefer to spend my money else where.

[@campingmates]

Put me right in the rock and a hard place!! Thanks for that Alex. Ha ha ha !! I don’t have a fridge at the moment so most of the cooking done with an esky but down the line planing to get one since channel needs one. Thinking of mycoolman fridge or cfx3 45 but these are pretty expensive and definitely don’t have a budget for it ! Thanks for the video but , now I don’t feel lone with an esky 🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@NathanKingOverland]

Great video. I agree with all the points, but I think Ronny Dahl day not to let the enemy of a cooler? Sir is the enemy of ice? Etc.?

[@colinpascho3970]

Great info. Thanks

[@Mr105.]

Great work bloke's👍👍👍 When is the next push bike adventure with Jake?

[@georgejulien3286]

Who keeps bread in a cooler?! It can’t be just me asking 😂😂

[@Alex.G]

Oh man gotta do it! I have problems with it going mouldy every time otherwise!

[@georgejulien3286]

@@Alex.G bread in a bag put in a cooler literally creates condensation inside the bag and makes it soggy and start molding faster lol. But hey that’s just northern hemisphere science, i hear everything is reversed down there 😉

[@turbostyler]

Down here in Australia we have crazy humidity. Even the cheapest and nastiest bread packed with preservatives moulds in a day or two if kept outside a fridge or freezer. In a pantry indoors its unnecessary for up to 4 days any longer, stick it in the fridge.

[@georgejulien3286]

@@turbostyler that’s absolutely fascinating actually! Where I live putting bread in the fridge is just asking for soggy or moldy bread haha.

[@eddard9442]

@@turbostyler I live 1 hour north of sydney and on really hot summer days is the only time the bread goes in the fridge, but if its under 30c and not to humid then it can stay in the cupboard or on kitchen bench.

[@ryantilley-general.shenanigans]

So now that Harry from Fire to fork is back in Perth im counting down untill the triple collaboration. The 3 of you navigating through a cooking segment would be gold!

[@Alex.G]

Sounds like a drinking segment with maybe a little snack in between to me 😂😁

[@aussiecue]

If Harry keeps the dog away from the prep table

[@IleneOva]

That guy should post his videos in 4.3

[@livesh684]

as much as u can use bigger ice blocks instead of small ice cubes or crushed ice. although this ice blocks take up more space it will melt slower due to lesser surface area where condensation occurs

[@philfoote829]

The fridge definitely wins I've had a fridge for 20 years and haven't bought a bag of ice for 20 years think of the cost saving that I have saved

[@4x4CampingandAdventures]

I want hot tub wresting next

[@Alex.G]

Hot tubs done and dusted mate. Jelly pool next.

[@4x4CampingandAdventures]

@@Alex.G needs a retake with more heat I’ll bring the meat

[@ryantilley-general.shenanigans]

@@4x4CampingandAdventures bring 'the meat' With a Y62 think of all the jelly you could tow in!

[@4x4CampingandAdventures]

@@ryantilley-general.shenanigans by the cup mate 😂

[@Chook57]

Good one boys, I have an esky in the shed shaped like the back of a ute with wheels on it, how Aussie is that lol

[@Alex.G]

You could just about hitch it up and tow it on your adventures!

[@Chook57]

@@Alex.G Yes lol

[@louiskudlak2241]

Great combination as always boys 👍👍👍 lov both channels 👍👍👍 ps update your merchandise Alex so I can buy something 😂😂😂

[@pwr2ppl183]

Exactly

[@maxlegend8230]

I understand this video is 2 years ago, but now the Fridge system is different. Use your power tool battery to power the fridge, or using the car power, and lastly plug into AC with DC adaptor.

[@suitinaute]

Really good clip on whether or not to drain your ice from the esky. Esky will stay cooler for longer if you don't drain it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5TclKucmNOXnaM I was of the same opinion as you before I watched this clip. He's got a bit of science in there to back it up. Of course, then you need to deal with the inconvenience of having a slurry at the bottom of the esky. Exactly.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Thanks mate! It was a bit of an eye opener for me.

[@dijm8]

Exactly! 😅😅

[@bigfella6629]

Give me a esky/ice box any day over a fridge. After you work out what it would cost you to buy everything you need to purchase and install a fridge that can buy a hell a lot of ice.

[@stevegas3640]

But eskys have baskets and deviders for the prevention of soggy foods

[@hellopolly2691]

What about a two way fridge ? works off LPG gas or electricity . It will last a long toe on a 4KG gas bottle or a generator.

[@Alex.G]

This is true! Cheaper to purchase as well. The downside is they are power hungry on 12 volt. Great option if you're more about setting up camp and staying put I reckon

[@NLJ1953]

You missed the obvious. Small Waeco on freeze mode feeding an Esky with ice best of both worlds.

[@turbostyler]

Mate this is exactly what I do and it works awesome for me.

[@steveans]

EXACTLY what I do!

[@NickDV007]

Enjoyed the video lads, but it makes you wonder how long term overlanders got on in years gone by 🤔

[@Alex.G]

I tell ya what, those old time overlanders had some genius tricks in their books! I've seen a tyre inflator made with jumper leads, a starter motor and an air conditioner compressor bolted onto a block of wood 😂 must have sucked so much power!

[@NickDV007]

@@Alex.G Yep, they were pretty inventive 👍 I think we’ve got it too easy these days 😉🤣

[@adventuredownunder2131]

Good vid mate!

[@marksomerville1275]

No one wants soggy sao or a big ol' wet box... on bigger trips we have fridge & esky. Use plastic milk bottles as ice blocks for the esky as a cool box for non perishables (keeps dingoes out) & fridge as a freezer.

[@TwoCrabsAdventures]

Legends, always easy watching

[@tenfeetwanderers774]

Esky for the beers. Soon as you bring food into the equation, it's a nope. Don't think anyone has ever said, wow that steak which was floating around in esky water was brilliant for dinner 😂

[@runningonfullnostanks4523]

Esky Pro.. You can wash stuff with draining water, eg hands

[@thumpergman]

Ive got engle fridge and a engle esky both around 12 years old and still going strong...

[@Alex.G]

Bloody solid units hey! My Engel is a mid 80s model and still loving life! Pretty hard to go wrong with that investment 😁

[@philipw7557]

You 2 know how to entertain 🤣😎👍😏🇳🇿

[@SuperDonald64]

Got both solar painin arse

[@chrisburgess6964]

Coleman are the best.

[@carsonkeitt9028]

That blue coleman is a $30 in the US!

[@Alex.G]

Yeah we get shafted on so many things over here 😟

[@dawesville1615]

You can buy some great collapsible containers for your meats and cheeses in an esky or a fridge. No more soggy stuff 🤮

[@Alex.G]

That's a bloody good point I should have added really. Have an arsenal of plastic containers!

[@4x4CampingandAdventures]

@@Alex.G you can have a Tupperware party out bush

[@IanKentKegs]

Another Esky con is you lose 1/2 the capacity filling with ice.

[@Alex.G]

Dammit. Another one that needed to go on there 😂 might have to go out and re-shoot this one with all the extra points being mentioned!

[@bazza2540]

Fridge you lose 1/3 to the compressor, permanently. Plus space for a battery. Those two units on screen are about the same size but the fridge will be tiny inside in comparison

[@NLJ1953]

Also have you tried Dry ice. No water last forever. Super cold.

[@Alex.G]

I haven't tried it but I've always wanted to! Where do you get it?

[@jimnyjolly278]

Before this video I got an advert for durex. Just saying.

[@Alex.G]

I hope it was those extra tough ones. For the boyz! 😂

[@Dorko85]

Actually you are meant to leave the melting ice/ water. You get an extra 12 hours of coolness. Lock your hubs did a awesome video on this.

[@wesmccullough8176]

Yes but then you have a water bucket and not a food storage device so its still better to drain while camping. For drinks at a bbq at home no probs, leave the water in.

[@Dorko85]

@@wesmccullough8176 if you want storage use a tub, but the point is to keep what’s inside cool as long as possible. Hence, leave the water in for that extra bonus hours. Go watch that video from Lock your Hubs, it’s really interesting

[@wesmccullough8176]

@@Dorko85 so i just watched the video from Lock your Hubs and his test was for drinks. So really even he probably agrees with my statement above. Also, i've camped many times with just ice including 5plus day trips and it's just to risky to ruin your food by letting it get water logged 2 days into your trip. You can ofcourse put everything in containers but fuck that lol.

[@Dorko85]

@@wesmccullough8176 hahaha yeah the containers is better solution, but then more room. Easier to get a fridge! Hahaha

[@daniellecavallari7226]

Bottom line, we didnt get anywhere. Both are great

[@Alex.G]

Pretty much, depends on what you want it for 🙂

[@PeaceyThompson]

I like being able to cool down campfire cooking leftovers in the fridge.

[@Alex.G]

Absolutely! A lot of people just throw the leftovers in the fire but I will carry leftover camp meals for days on the road 😁

[@WildTouring]

Bloody clickbait. Where was the footage of you smashing Pete in an arm wrestle?

[@Alex.G]

Pfft I'm sure we all know he'd break my arm in half 😄

[@WildTouring]

@@Alex.G only so he could cook it over a fire!

[@BugsyShort]

i got confused and plugged my esky into my car

[@Alex.G]

😂 hmmm....how to use an esky video next? 😜

[@BugsyShort]

@@Alex.G how to extinguish car fire would be useful

[@cathrynkarapatsios6380]

Picnic.

[@Maikool180sx]

Icebox cheaper, unless you buy a yeti one 😂

[@Alex.G]

Oh 100% haha. I know of fridges cheaper than Yeti ice boxes 😂

[@scottypersia5715]

Jake could break it.

[@xr88yu]

Fridge, buy a dam fridge!!!

[@YuckFoutube-e1z]

Draining cold water from an esky is dumb and stupid. If is below ambient temp keep it in there/

[@Alex.G]

Depends on what you're keeping in there. If it's sealed drinks and containers sure. But there's some items you want cold, but not soaking wet and soggy.

[@thatoldgu]

Eggzacly

[@rickyelvis3215]

Leave the water in.. scientifically proven!

[@leejohn4966]

just wasted my money, the Esky is cheap and it works better. The fridge is only as good as the battery last just the same as the ice.

[@maddogmorgan1]

Ice budget?...Freeze your own ice blocks ffs

[@Alex.G]

All well and good until you're on a longer trip and you need a top up though

[@gort3969]

I hated it so much I pressed thumbs down 3 times😁

[@aakeeno]

Hi @Alex.G this video could probably go on your new channel

[@Alex.G]

I agree! There's so many good points in the comments that could be added