ifit4x4
by Piet van Heerde
iplan4x4
itour4x4
icool4x4
There are a few reasons why we are so besotted with our 4x4 fridges. First of all, we simply don't have as much time as old people. When we get hungry, we can't spend a day stalking an impala with a Lee Metford.
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We also can't grind mealie meal to make pap, hang biltong and droewors to dry and bake rusks inn an anthill oven. It takes too long for our rushed lifestyle.
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We have also become terribly fussy. We want to eat good stuff - top drawer steaks, chops and wors, and crispy fresh vegies and salads.
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And when we stop next to the Orange River nowadays and it is 45 degrees outside, we don't want to drink a beer thats been slightly cooled by letting the sixpack lie in a rapid for a while; that Tafel Lager must be cold enough to burn your tongue.
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That's why you need proper refridgeration.
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What kind of freezer should I buy?
If you live in Africa and go on expeditions,
When the Karoo freezes over...
When kitting out you bush wagon to go driving in far away places, a freezer is one of the most expensive and important pieces of kit you'll ever buy. I had a good look into it and here is a few recommendations and tips.
it does not really make sense anymore to look at any other type freezer than a compressor fridge.
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They are reliable and can maintain very low freezer temperatures in very hot African summers.
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They don't have to be completely level to work, and with a good solar panel and dual battery system, you can make your freezer run just about non stop, except when you are hit by a three month monsoon.
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The only drawback is that they are a little expensive. However, quality is not an issue in our market - there are plenty of robust products that lasts for years and have good after sale service.
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There is also another kind of fridge - the so called absorption fridge that has been fitted to caravans for years.They are cheaper and run on electricity as well as on gas.
But the cooling process (heat is turned to cold through a gas) doesn't work so well if the fridge doesn't stand exactly level.
I other words, it's fine if you're going camping for two weeks, but not so nice if you are driving down a Kaokoland riverbed every day.
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Furthermore, these fridges aren't that effective if the outside temperature climbs above 40 degrees C when you are passing Keetmanshoop. You'll struggle to keep the chops frozen.
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The third type of mobile cooling - a thermo-electric cooler - is really only to keep your cokes cold for the braai outside Loftus before the Bulls game. A packet of ice in a well insulated cool box almost works better.
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How big is big enough?
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Before you buy the biggest, most expensive fridge, you have to ask what you want it for.
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Weekend warrior: Are you a guy who spends long weekends in campsites with 220V power points? If so, you need nothing more than a 40L fridge.
They usually use a little more power and aren't that well insulated, but it'll hold its temperature - as long as there is power.
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All rounder: If you have two and a half kids on the double cab's back seat and want to spend three weeks in Botswana, Namibia or Mozambique every year and in between spend a few weekends every term in bush camps like in the Magaliesberg o Cederberg, you probably need something from 50 - 60 litres that is well insulated and therefor uses less power.
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World Traveler: Few people really need a 80 liter freezer. There is after all no need to cart all of checkers and Solly Kramers across the Limpopo. However if you have to cook for a whole group and there is no time to buy local produce, you can consider the 80-litre fridge. Just make sure you freeze evrything at home beforehand and that it is well insulated.
What to look out for when buying a fridge:
Some more things to look out for when going shopping for a fridge:
Physical size: The physical size of your fridge will determine how much of your space it will take up in you vehicle. When you are planning your payout of your car to install a packing system, you will have to consider the space of the fridge. Always allow an extra space around the fridge as it gives of heat and needs to be well ventilated.
Insulation: Make sure the insulation of the fridge is sufficient. That is the thickness of the sides, the thicker it is the better it will insulated and the longer it will keep things cold. It also adds to the time that the fridge is actually running, the better the insulation the less the fridge will be running and the less power it will be consuming.
Safety features: Fuse, make sure that the electrical wiring of the fridge has an appropriate fuse in the line, if not make sure to install a fuse in the wiring of your vehicle going towards your fridge. Make sure about ventilation, especially around the area where the compressor is situated. When installing a fridge make sure to have the controls in an accessible place
A few tidy freezer tips
Chill at home. Load up your freezer at home and chill it with 220V for at least 12 hours before your departure. After that, try to pack only cooled chops and cool drinks in the freezer.
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Layer upon layer. When going on a long expedition, plan your meals in advance, freeze them and pack the last meals right at the bottom. Pack a layer of newspaper between the layers so the items that have to remain frozen are nice and isolated.
Bottles of water. If you don't fill up the whole freezer before a tour, fill the empty space with frozen two-liter bottles. This helps to keep the freezer cold, because it conducts cold better than air.
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Extra cool box. If you only wants to use your freezer as a freezer, you can use a smaller cooler box for your veggies and dairy. Just swap out a few blue ice blocks between the freezer and cooler box.
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Plan a little. Plan each days opening up carefully. Don't carry on rummaging in your freezer unnecessarily to fish out a few blocks of ice for a cool drink. Rotten meat is worse than a babelaas.
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Sunlight is free. Get a proper solar panel. It remains the best insurance against tepid beer.
