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food:refrigeration [2022/07/01 17:27]
princess_fluffypants 		food:refrigeration [2023/12/09 11:23] (current)
frater_secessus [Methods of refrigeration]
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 ===== Coolers ===== ===== Coolers =====
  
- * **Pro** - low cost, low empty weight, zero power consumption and widespread availability. +  * **Pro** - low cost, low empty weight, zero power consumption and widespread availability. 
- +  * **Con** - constant need to add frozen material and the requirement to dispose of any melted ice. You lose significant amounts of interior volume due to the space taken up by the cooling material.
- * **Con** - constant need to add frozen material and the requirement to dispose of any melted ice. You lose significant amounts of interior volume due to the cooling material.+
  
 Tips to make cooler use more effective and simple: Tips to make cooler use more effective and simple:
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     * if you have regular access to a freezer at work or elsewhere rotate blue freezer packs in/out of the freezer and into your cooler.  This removes the ongoing cost of buying ice but requires a number of packs so you can always have them in rotation.      * if you have regular access to a freezer at work or elsewhere rotate blue freezer packs in/out of the freezer and into your cooler.  This removes the ongoing cost of buying ice but requires a number of packs so you can always have them in rotation. 
     * nearly-filled bottles of water((leaves room for expansion)) are free and work much like the freezer packs above.       * nearly-filled bottles of water((leaves room for expansion)) are free and work much like the freezer packs above.  
 +    * in any case, having //three// sets in rotation allows each set to be in the freezer for 32 hours (24hrs + 8hr shift) rather than just an 8hr shift.
   * if using ice   * if using ice
     * block ice will last longer than cubed ice     * block ice will last longer than cubed ice
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 **Front loading** or "Upright" refrigerators are square or tall rectangles shaped like residential refrigerators.  They stand up and have a door that opens off the side. **Front loading** or "Upright" refrigerators are square or tall rectangles shaped like residential refrigerators.  They stand up and have a door that opens off the side.
-  * **Pros::**+  * **Pros**
   * Direct access to the contents from a walkway   * Direct access to the contents from a walkway
   * Space above unit remains usable   * Space above unit remains usable
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   * Doors can sometimes swing open in transit.   * Doors can sometimes swing open in transit.
   * Items may shift and fall out when the door is opened.    * Items may shift and fall out when the door is opened. 
-  * Cold air "spills" out when the full-height door opens. +  * Cold air "spills" out when the full-height door opens, which has to be re-chilled and leads to higher power consumption. 
  
 **Top loading** refrigerators are usually low rectangles shaped like insulated coolers. **Top loading** refrigerators are usually low rectangles shaped like insulated coolers.
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   * No worries about doors swinging open and items falling out when vehicle moves   * No worries about doors swinging open and items falling out when vehicle moves
   * More efficient. Better cold retention due to a lack of a bottom seal, and cold air doesn't spill out when opening the door, which may reduce power consumption if the door is opened frequently.((http://www.promasterforum.com/forum/showpost.php?p=215513&postcount=19))   * More efficient. Better cold retention due to a lack of a bottom seal, and cold air doesn't spill out when opening the door, which may reduce power consumption if the door is opened frequently.((http://www.promasterforum.com/forum/showpost.php?p=215513&postcount=19))
-  * **Cons:** +  * **Cons** 
-  * May have to dig for food. Easier for things to get lost/overlooked/crushed (especially soft fruits)+  * May have to dig for food. Easier for things to get lost/overlooked, or crushed (especially soft fruits).
   * Space above top door unusable unless placed in a slide-out or similar.     * Space above top door unusable unless placed in a slide-out or similar.  
  
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 ---- ----
 ==== Methods of refrigeration ==== ==== Methods of refrigeration ====
 +
 +
 === Absorption refrigeration === === Absorption refrigeration ===
  
 Absorption (ie, propane-powered ammonia cycle) fridges were popular in RVs because they used minimal power to run the ignitor, control board, fans if any. This type of fridge had to to be quite level so the ammonia cycle cooling would work by gravity;  there is no pump.((http://www.doityourselfrv.com/know-rig-level-enough-rv-refrigerator-work-properly/))  Using one out of level could damage the $$$ cooling unit.   Absorption (ie, propane-powered ammonia cycle) fridges were popular in RVs because they used minimal power to run the ignitor, control board, fans if any. This type of fridge had to to be quite level so the ammonia cycle cooling would work by gravity;  there is no pump.((http://www.doityourselfrv.com/know-rig-level-enough-rv-refrigerator-work-properly/))  Using one out of level could damage the $$$ cooling unit.  
 +
 +These fridges are often called //three way fridges// because they run on propane in the field, provide heat for the absorption cycle from 12v while driving, and from shore power when available.  The fridges are very efficient (both propane and 12v controls) on propane, but use a great deal of power to run off electricity. 
  
 Absorption units are rare in vandwelling setups due to size, expense, and need for exterior venting. Absorption units are rare in vandwelling setups due to size, expense, and need for exterior venting.
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     * [[https://amzn.to/3xjrrJt|Iceco VL45]] recommended by doc-ketamine((https://www.reddit.com/r/overlanding/comments/o8orti/newbie_question_on_jackery_bluetti_portable_power/h37nb5r/)).  Measured 85w when compressor is running     * [[https://amzn.to/3xjrrJt|Iceco VL45]] recommended by doc-ketamine((https://www.reddit.com/r/overlanding/comments/o8orti/newbie_question_on_jackery_bluetti_portable_power/h37nb5r/)).  Measured 85w when compressor is running
     * [[https://amzn.to/3jHCrwp|Iceco JP50]] recommended by panchulio.((https://www.reddit.com/r/overlanding/comments/o8orti/newbie_question_on_jackery_bluetti_portable_power/h36aiad/))     * [[https://amzn.to/3jHCrwp|Iceco JP50]] recommended by panchulio.((https://www.reddit.com/r/overlanding/comments/o8orti/newbie_question_on_jackery_bluetti_portable_power/h36aiad/))
-    * [[https://icecofreezer.com/collections/iceco-vl-series/products/iceco-vl60-dual-zone-portable-refrigerator-freezer|IceCo Dual Zone Series]] is great for people who want capable freezer space+    * [[https://icecofreezer.com/collections/dual-zone-fridge-freezer|IceCo Dual Zone Series]] recommended by Princess_Fluffypants. Great for people who want capable freezer space
  
  
food/refrigeration.1656710838.txt.gz · Last modified: 2022/07/01 17:27 by princess_fluffypants

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