Which is the best fridge for a skoolie conversion?

Have you been looking for the perfect fridge for your bus conversion? Finding the perfect one for your skoolie is not always the easiest task, especially if you are new to bus conversion living. Finding the ideal fridge ensures you have food storage space while on the road and that you can enjoy cool drinks whenever you want.

Freezers and fridges come in different shapes, models and sizes. When you have limited space, you are required to get creative to ensure you make the most of your space. Here is everything you need to know about choosing the best fridge for skoolie, including a comprehensive review of the best three options in the market.

Whynter FM-45G 45 Quart Portable Refrigerator – best midsize skoolie fridge 

If you are concerned that your skoolie will take up too much space in your bus, the Whynter portable refrigerator is the best option for your space-saving needs. With this unit, you can cool drinks and food from -8 degrees F and 50 F, making it ideal for use as a freezer or a regular fridge. This fridge comes with a fast freeze option for rapid cooling of foods to -8 degrees. This is perfect when you need to freeze some foods before embarking on a long drive.

It is made with stainless steel handles that make moving this mini fridge easy. This way, you do not need a designated place for the fridge since you can store it away when you need to make more room in your skoolie. The interior is made of two wire baskets that are removable for easier time organizing. It also has an insulated lid and walls and is easy to clean thanks to the drain plug feature.

The exterior of this mini fridge comes with coated tough steel available in gray and camo. This makes it perfect for a mancave, for use in a campsite, a morning tailgate, or a long hunting trip. The best part about this skoolie fridge is that it is a dual voltage appliance, featuring an 8ft AC power cord and a 10ft DC cord. This makes it easy for you to plug into a direct power source when around shore power.

The only downside is the 45qt capacity, which means you might need to find a grocery store more often. Also, the unit only comes with one compartment, meaning you cannot use it as a freezer and fridge at the same time. However, its compact size makes it perfect for short skoolie conversions that have very limited space.

Avanti Model RMS550PS – best SIDE-BY-SIDE Refrigerator/Freezer 

If you have a 30’/9-window skoolie, the Avanti side-by-side fridge would be the best option for your conversion. This is the perfect skoolie fridge that comes with a 5.5cu ft. capacity ideal for one or two people sharing a skoolie.

This Avanti side-by-side refrigerator is an ideal space saver as it can fit under countertops while giving you enough fridge space to fit most of your foods. The only main difference between this side-by-side refrigerator and a mini-size one is the width. It also uses less energy compared to other mini-fridges.

SMETA fridge – Best propane skoolie fridge

If your skoolie is propane powered, you will want to consider getting the SMETA propane fridge. This is a compact size and lightweight propane refrigerator weighing 76 pounds with 12 v power needs. This is great if you are trying to keep the overall weight in your skoolie low while still preserving food and keeping your beverages cold.

To conserve propane when on the road, you can switch to 110V or 12V to ensure the food remains cool. This is the perfect fridge if you are looking to save on space and keep the weight low. It is easy to install, quiet and comes with piezo ignition.

Factors to consider when choosing the best fridge for skoolie

When looking to buy a skoolie fridge, there are certain factors you need to consider ensuring you have the best one for your needs.

Size matters

How big or small a skoolie is determines how big or small your fridge should be. You need to consider the space available and the layout of your skoolie kitchen to determine the best fridge for skoolie. If you spend a lot of time on the rod or off-grid, investing in a larger skoolie fridge would make more sense since you would be able to store enough food while on the road. Generally, go for the largest size your skoolie can accommodate to ensure you have enough room.

The power supply in the skoolie

Generally, the power supply in a school can be either 110v AC, propane-powered, or 12v DC. With a 110v CD power supply, you get more options to choose from if you decide to go for a 110v DC fridge. This is the most affordable option for your skoolie, depending on the size of the fridge you choose.

12v is the best option for a small-size skoolie. These look the same as small coolers but have the functions of a fridge. The mini fridges that run on 12v DC are mostly cooler-style fridge freezers.

Propane is alternate energy commonly used in commercial RVs. With a propane-powered power source, you can save a lot of money on the electric setup in your skoolie. The downside to using propane is that you need to ensure you always have a good supply of gas on your skoolie to keep your fridge powered at all times.

Power saving

When living in a skoolie, the power supply is an important topic, especially for people who are on the road for extended periods. Skoolie fridges are some of the most power-consuming gadgets in your skoolie since they are always connected to the source. If you are worried about power conservation, you should consider going for a 12v DC fridge to save energy.

A 12v skoolie fridge puts a lesser load on your power inverters and batteries whenever you are not connected to shore power. You can use inverters that invert 12v to 110v and save up to 90% of energy.

Conclusion

Finding the best fridge for skoolie does not have to be a task. With this guide, you can choose from the best options in the market. To save you from the hustle, you can select from the three reviewed above for the best options in the market.