Any Deals on Mini-Fridges?

[weluvpluto]

Since we're staying for 14 nights and we figure it would just be nice to have one....
Does anyone know of any deals on compact refridgerators? We'd probably like a dorm size one, not the type that plugs into the car (the TV has to be plugged into the cigarette lighter )
I think I saw one at Target for 79.99, just wondering if I could do better?

 

[strawberryblonde]

If you live near a college/university.....

When many students move out of the dorms at the start of summer, they may sell their personal dorm size fridge for cheap. You might check at the library for postings.

 

[hercamore]

Hi,

We have two of those dorm frigs...just a warning that they are heavy!!

I wouldn't want to be dragging one around in my car/hotel.


herc.

 

[weluvpluto]

Strawberryblonde- thanks for the idea - I hadn't thought of that before

herc.- I hadn't thought of how heavy it would be... I better have DH with me if or when we decide to buy one

 

[strawberryblonde]

Our dorm size fridge is from my DH's college days . I thought it might be too heavy for me to carry too. DH's flight came in really late before our trip though so I did all of the packing. I was able to move the fridge without much trouble (its bulky and watch out for the grid in back). We have a SUV, so packing it was no problem, perhaps lowering it into a trunk would be trickier.

 

[icydog]

I don't know if this applies to you but if you expalin you need the fridge for medical reasons they don't charge.

 

[prncess674]

i bought my dorm size fridge at a pawn shop. Might want to check this option as well.

Lowe's has one for $67.00

Haier 1.8 Cu. Ft. Compact Refrigerator (Color: White)
$67.00
Flat back design, Full width side out wire shelf, Full and half width storage shelves, Tall bottle door storage, Half width freezer compartment with ice cube tray

 

[weluvpluto]

strawberryblonde - we have a mini van so, besides taking up room, it should be easy to get in and out.

icy-dog - no, it's not for medical reasons. We usually keep a cooler in the room with fruit, adult refreshments , milk, etc. I just thought this would be easier than messing with a cooler (getting ice, emptying it, refilling it )

prncess674 - no Lowes around here. I have time though, if we buy it new. I'll just keep watching for sales

 

[prncess674]

Your post doesn't say when you are going but if you are going during the summer you may want to see about borrowing one from a college student. Do any of your friends or family have a college age kid who is home for the summer. I know mine collected dust every summer in the garage when I moved back "home" during summer break.

 

[icydog]

Costco has a beautiful one. I saw it yesterday while in the store. Maybe it is on the website www.costco.com?

 

[disneysteve]

Another option to consider --

Instead of a dorm fridge which is very heavy as noted, buy an electric cooler from Coleman. It is a fairly lightweight cooler that has a built in fan/cooling mechanism. It can plug in to the cigarette lighter in the car and plug in to a regular outlet at the hotel. I believe cubic foot-wise these are actually larger than dorm fridges. We've used ours for years and its great and much easier to carry around since it is designed for that purpose.

Steve

 

[icydog]

This is an excellent idea. I never heard of these coolers before but I will look into getting one

 

[weluvpluto]

Thanks for all your responses and ideas!

prncess674 - we are going in August. I asked a friend of mine (her son isn't going back to live in the dorm) and she said we could borrow it. We are going to go look at how big it is though.

disneysteve - I'm trying to research on the internet and find one like you are talking about. Is this it?


Coleman electric cooler

Thanks

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by weluvpluto
disneysteve - I'm trying to research on the internet and find one like you are talking about. Is this it?

Coleman electric cooler

Thanks

Yep, that's the one. It can be used upright like in that photo or in the top-opening position like a standard cooler. We fill it with stuff when we drive anywhere so we avoid having to pay rest-stop prices for sodas and snacks. We often pack deli for a picnic lunch along the way. Then when we get to our destination, we plug it in in the room and keep OJ, milk, soda, yogurt, string cheese, etc. We have had one of these for years and have taken it many places. It is far easier to deal with than lugging around a dorm fridge plus it can be used in the car which you can't do with the fridge. The AC adapter is sold seperately.

This company lists two 40-quart models. One is $94.99 and the other is $129.99. I can't seem to tell what is different about the more expensive one. You may want to check them out in person somewhere before you buy one. We got ours at Sports Authority but I'm pretty sure Target, Wal-Mart, etc. sell them now as well.



Steve

 

[KristinU]

Another budget-minded option might be one of these new "5-day" coolers. We just bought one, so I can't speak directly but my parents were raving about theirs all summer last year and they camp quite a bit. They keep ice frozen for 5 days, which would mean that you'd only need to mess around with getting ice 3 times. We just bought ours at Sam's Club for about $30. The prices on these have come way down since they were introduced last year - I think my parents paid around $70 for theirs! The prices are around $40 or $50 at Target and Sports Authority.

Just a thought...

Good Luck!

 

[icydog]

$30 at Sam's-- good deal!! I am going over this afternoon to look at them. I am sick of soggy coldcuts

 

[disneysteve]

Just a correction to my earlier posts. I was in my garage last nite and much to my surprise, it turns out that my electric cooler isn't a Coleman 40 quart. Its an Igloo 36 quart. Otherwise, everything I said about using them remains the same. Not sure if they still make the model I have since we've had it for several years but I'm sure the Coleman is similar, just a bit larger.

Steve

 

[H&Hmommy]

I just found to Coleman at Wal-Mart for $67.88 with a bonus cord for indoor use.

 

[sha_lyn]

Originally posted by H&Hmommy
I just found to Coleman at Wal-Mart for $67.88 with a bonus cord for indoor use.

That is what we have. I really thought that we wouldn't use it but for vacations but we use it alot. I even put it in the van in the summer when I go to BJ's to stock up on meast and such. It's a 20 min drive away and in the GA heat that can get pretty nasty.
I like that it can keep things warm too. Thats great for going to reunions, pot lucks and the like.
We even have one of the between the seat console ones that target sells. We use it all the time to keep drinks cold in. It will hold a gallon of milk, or a few cold items if I'm out running errands and can't get home right away.