A good refrigeration solution completely changes what you can eat in a van. Fresh meat, dairy, vegetables, cold drinks - things you can't do with a dry pantry. Here's how to choose the right setup.
Let's be honest - plenty of people camp without any refrigeration. Canned food, dry goods, peanut butter, and bread will get you through a weekend. But if you're doing more than occasional overnight trips, a proper fridge is a huge upgrade.
A 12V compressor fridge ($300-600) running directly off your battery system is the way to go for any build that will see regular use. The power draw is minimal (2-5 amps average), they keep food at safe temperatures indefinitely, and you never have to buy ice or deal with soggy food in meltwater.
12V compressor fridges work exactly like a household fridge, just smaller. A compressor cycles refrigerant to cool the interior to whatever temperature you set. They run directly off your 12V battery system, so there's no inverter needed and no wasted energy in the DC-to-AC conversion.
A 12V compressor fridge doesn't run constantly. The compressor cycles on when the temperature rises above your setpoint and off when it reaches the target temp. Average power draw over 24 hours is typically:
45-55L fridge: ~30-50 Ah per day (360-600 Wh)
60-75L fridge: ~40-65 Ah per day (480-780 Wh)
On a 280Ah battery, a 50L fridge uses about 10-18% of your daily capacity. With even modest solar (200W), this is easily replenished.
Power-saving tips: Keep the fridge full (thermal mass helps), don't open it unnecessarily, keep it out of direct sunlight, and ensure adequate ventilation around the compressor. A well-placed fridge in a shaded, ventilated spot will use significantly less power than one baking in the sun.
The 12V fridge market has exploded in the last few years. You no longer need to spend $1,000+ on a Dometic or ARB to get a reliable fridge. Budget-friendly brands have gotten very good.
Vevor, Iceco - These budget brands use quality compressors similar to the premium brands. Build quality and insulation aren't quite as good, so they may use slightly more power and be a bit louder. But for the price, they're hard to beat. Most work perfectly fine for van life.
Iceco, Dometic (used) - Better insulation, quieter operation, better build quality. If you're using your fridge daily, spending a bit more here makes sense for the long haul.
Dometic, ARB - The established names in mobile refrigeration. Excellent build quality, very efficient, very quiet. But honestly, for 2-3x the price of a mid-range fridge, you're getting maybe 10-15% better performance. Hard to justify for most DIY builds unless budget isn't a concern.
If a 12V fridge isn't in your budget or your electrical system is minimal, a high-quality cooler is a legitimate alternative for shorter trips.
Good coolers to consider: RTIC (best value), Ozark Trail (budget), Yeti (premium). Block ice lasts longer than cubed. Pre-chill the cooler before loading it. Freeze water bottles to use as ice packs - as they melt, you have cold drinking water.
Keep the fridge out of direct sunlight if possible. Near the kitchen area is ideal for convenience, but make sure there's airflow around the compressor (usually on the back or side). Don't push it tight against a wall - leave 2-3 inches of clearance for ventilation.
A 40-lb fridge becomes a dangerous projectile in a sudden stop. Secure it with ratchet straps, a custom bracket, or build it into your cabinetry. Some people build a fridge "slide" that lets them pull the fridge out when parked (for access from the rear doors) but locks it in place for driving.
Wire the fridge directly to your battery system with appropriately sized wire and a fuse. Most 12V fridges draw 5-8 amps at peak (when the compressor is running), so 14-12 AWG wire with a 10-15A fuse is typical. Don't run it off a cigarette lighter socket - the connections are unreliable and can't handle the sustained draw.
For any build that will see regular use: Get a 12V compressor fridge. A mid-range 50-liter model ($300-450) from Iceco, Vevor, or similar is the best value. It'll use about 30-50 Ah per day from your battery and completely transform what you can eat on the road.
For budget or weekend builds: A quality rotomolded cooler with good ice management works fine for 2-3 day trips. RTIC coolers offer 90% of Yeti's performance at 60% of the price.
Don't skip refrigeration if you're doing extended trips. The ability to store fresh food safely is one of the biggest comfort and health upgrades you can make to your van setup.