Ice box vs refrigerator?

[VERN in IL]

I'm trying to figure out ways to save energy.

one of my main consumptions is the refrigerator, is there any savings I can do by going with a Icebox instead of a electric refrigerator?

I have a compact 6 cu ft fridge. Is there an economical way I can use a Yeti or Engel cooler as an Icebox and save a few dollars?

I mainly use the fridge for sodas, butter, whip cream, water, and keeping pies cold.

I have heard of people turning chest freezers into efficient refrigerators, can someone lend me some advise as the cheapest way to keep things cold, (38* F)

[Nevada]

How much can you get a block of ice for? Is ice handy to get?

I've used an icebox before and found it to be less than satisfactory compared to a refrigerator. It didn't seem to get nearly as cold.

That said, when I was living off grid I bought a low power consumption refrigerator. I found one that was a 10 cf model that drew about 125 watts (maybe 300 or so startup surge). It was large enough to meet our needs and was about $350 new. We got it at Home Depot. It was the same as this one but we got it in fake stainless steel instead of white.

http://www.homedepot.com/Appliances-...atalogId=10053

[jwal10]

I have a springhouse at my off grid cabin. Has a vat with water running through it, very well insulated. It keeps most things cold enough. I have a very small 12 volt solar powered refer out there too....James

[Nevada]

Originally Posted by jwal10

I have a springhouse at my off grid cabin. Has a vat with water running through it, very well insulated. It keeps most things cold enough. I have a very small 12 volt solar powered refer out there too....James

I wonder if a guy could find an affordable used 12-volt or propane RV refrigerator someplace.

Google "IcyBall" refrigerator, There are plans available for making your own.

[HermitJohn]

No idea what they go for now. Back in 80s I lived off grid. Bought a small Electrolux propane absorbsion refrigerator for $100. In 90s sold it for $100 down here. It had a heater so you could run it 120AC but when I plugged it in down here to show it worked, that heater didnt work. I didnt have bottle propane so told the guy I wasnt going anywhere, if it didnt work, bring it back and I'd give him his $100 back. He didnt bring it back so assume it still worked on propane. I cant remember now but seems like it would run for 6 month on 100# tank. That sound about right? May have been 3 month, really dont remember anymore. If you are on grid, its not going to be cheaper to run than a simular size electric compressor type refrigerator. But then if you arent on grid it was economical enough.

Right now be cheaper to do the kegorator thing (small chest freezer converted to refrigerator) and run off couple solar panels via cheap inverter and a golf cart battery. Yea bigger initial outlay money, but no buying fuel or electric ever again.

[HermitJohn]

Originally Posted by Nevada

How much can you get a block of ice for? Is ice handy to get?

I've used an icebox before and found it to be less than satisfactory compared to a refrigerator. It didn't seem to get nearly as cold.

That said, when I was living off grid I bought a low power consumption refrigerator. I found one that was a 10 cf model that drew about 125 watts (maybe 300 or so startup surge). It was large enough to meet our needs and was about $350 new. We got it at Home Depot. It was the same as this one but we got it in fake stainless steel instead of white.

http://www.homedepot.com/Appliances-...atalogId=10053

Yea ice box ok for a day trip camping, but they dont work well on day to day basis unless you have an ice house filled with blocks ice you cut from you pond last winter. Even then no ice box is as effective as a refrigerator.

Hey Nevada, didnt you post once your solar setup for your little homestead out in desert? You built the solar panels from individual solar cells. You used Wallyworld trolling batteries. And you had that $350 Home DEpot refrigerator. Do you have link back to that thread or can you give brief summary again? You did ok buying your bargain house in Vegas and got lot better medical service available for Alma, but always wondered how your bargain basement solar electric setup would hold up over time.

[Nevada]

Originally Posted by HermitJohn

Hey Nevada, didnt you post once your solar setup for your little homestead out in desert? You built the solar panels from individual solar cells. You used Wallyworld trolling batteries. And you had that $350 Home DEpot refrigerator. Do you have link back to that thread or can you give brief summary again? You did ok buying your bargain house in Vegas and got lot better medical service available for Alma, but always wondered how your bargain basement solar electric setup would hold up over time.

Yes, I sold that setup with my homestead. The way I was making solar panels with plywood was okay, but I've learned to make them more permanent by embossing the solar cells in resin. I'll try to get back into that and do a few clips to show it off.

[Pelenaka]

As someone who used an ice box for two years on a daily basis I can say that I found no issues between the two types of refrigeration - food was just as cold.

The ice box we used was one that I restored, replacing the insulation.
Made ice in our upright freezer using two plastic dish pans, on average this ice lasted for 3 days.

We we do go off grid our plans are to use both a cold closet and a super insulated ice box. Depending on our location we may also have a super insulated ice house.

~~ pelenaka ~~