coolers that plug into cigarette lighter

[Twinklee]

Does anyone have one of the coolers that plug into the cigarette lighter of your car and has an ac adapter? We're thinking about getting one for our trip in May so we can use it in our room in POP. I looked at one today at Walmart that says it holds 14 cans of soda, but we want to take bottled water. How many bottles of water can one hold and is one worth buying? I really don't want one of the ones that looks like a mini fridge, but think that the others may not be big enough. Anyone have any info for me? Thanks.

Toni

 

[jjan]

We bought one (just like the kind at Wal-Mart) for a trip to Pop last year for our milk, hoping that it would work (be cold enough). It was a HUGE mistake! By having it running continuously, it burned out the motor and it shut off . I just don't think that those types of electric coolers are meant to be run all of the time. We had much better luck by using the recycling bin they provide at Pop and lining it with a few layers of clean garbage bags and filling with ice and our drinks and stored it in the bathtub while we were away (in case of leaks... which it didn't) and then under the sink some of the other times to tuck it away. It worked great and was free!

 

[T. Lynn]

I had one as well. It's a big waste of money. Didn't keep anything cold.

Save your money for a nice souvenier.

 

[Twinklee]

Thanks for the info. I was afraid that it would be a waste of money. I guess I was right.

Toni

 

[kc10family]

We got one from Target and it works fine (used for 3 trips so far) while the van is running. We also put things in the fridge before they were put in the cooler. We used ours for a few cans of coke, some water and a few PB&J sandwiches. We like ours, but we don’t except it to work like a fridge, so we are not disappointed in it. (I hope that did not sound snotty, I did not mean it that way)

 

[pepe of ohio]

My take and understanding on these coolers is that they will keep your stuff 20 degrees cooler than ambient temp. That means if its 80 in the room, the inside of the cooler will cool to 60. Its not going to go down to 40 or 30 degrees, look what it cost, its cheap, actually an over enhanced ice chest.

For the money, you're better off with a good cooler, freeze some of your drinks, and go from there. Even at the resorts, you can't beat a styrofoam, .99 cent cooler, zip lock bags and fill them with Disney ice. When you leave, pitch the cooler. Even in the resorts that have fridges, they are very small, some work ok, some not, and if they have to bring you one to you're room, it takes along time for it to get cold.

 

[mikey20]

When i used to go camping with my parents we had one in the van. The rule was that it is not somthing that you opened to look around in or dig in. Open it get your stuff out and close it right away. This seemed to help in keeping things cold, so did layering the bottom with a bit of ice, and remember that if you pack it FULL of stuff thats warm its not going to get very cold at all.

 

[pafer]

We bought one thinking it could be used this way as well. It served it purpose during the drive there and during a few evacuations from hurricanes. However during our Disney trip we experienced problems. We came back from the park one day and it was not running. We lost our milk and some fruit and sandwiches we had in there. We replaced the fuse when we got home and it worked fine again until the next trip to Disney when we packed extra fuses just incase. We got half way there and the adaptor that fits in the cigarette lighter melted.

We have not bought a new one and will not be in the future. I would take a good cooler with you and use it instead. There will be plenty of ice at the resort. You can also rent a fridge there if you really need one. Oh and FYI they have fridges in every room now at POFQ.

 

[lynlam]

we have one of the larger ones, a coleman I think, you can get them at places like Cabella's or bass pro shops. We took it last month, it ran continuously in the car, then plugged it in at POP and ran it all week, it worked just like a fridge! kept our milk, cheese, beer and grapes very cold. We had rented a fridge, but after the first two days we had them come get it b/c the cooler was working so well.

 

[Swimnoid]

WE have a Coleman as well. And it works very well, but it is large and not real convenient to tote around. We hardly ever use it anymore. We have a couple of softsided coolers that work just as well for drinks in the car or sandwiches etc. and dont take up as much room.

 

[pigletof4]

My inlaws have one, but hardly ever use it. The one thing we have thought of purchasing is my bil has a cooler that will keep the ice for a week without changing it. We have thought of borrowing that to try at home before we purchase. He probably got it at Walmart as that is where they do all of their shopping.

 

[reeeoga]

I have a Larger one (holds 2 gallons of milk). We use it for trips. I spent $15 extra to get one that cools to 40 below ambient and can heat to 120 degrees. It worls great.

IF the air temp of the room it is kept in is low enough, it will freeze water, but not cokes. Found this out one morning when my water bottle was "capped" this ice.

The better ones work fine. The cheaper ones are "cheap".

 

[RussH]

Another Coleman here a mid size that I have used for 2 weeks a year for 5 years. They run all the time and if you are a fan noise required sleeper they are definitely a replacement. Here are a few things I have learned
The keep things cold/cooer they are not efficient in making items cold. Start with cold things first.
Remember to check the color code most of them can cool or heat.
You normally need a separate power supply at additional cost for 110 volt operation in your room.
As mentioned 40 degrees below ambient is normal that’s fine in a 70 degree room but not closed up in a 120 degree car parked in a WDW lot.
They suck a lot of current leaving them plugged into a car overnight might be bad news for a already shaky battery.
For some reason because of the way they are made they don’t retain their cool when not plugged in.
That all I can remember now I got to crash

 

[Boas]

have a coleman and used it for years... baby bottles, soda, sandwich, snacks...

we also have a big battery (excursion)... so that has not been a problem.

Cools in the summer... warms in the winter (best gift DW got me).

 

[bobcat]

I have borrowed a larger one from my sister for our last few trips and it worked great. Like others have said put cold stuff in and it stays cold.

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

We have one that looks like a mini fridge. Haven't had any problems with it. It will hold a six pack of soda, a couple sandwiches or a few of the bigger water bottles. We did use it in our room, but didn't leave it on the entire time. It works great for the drive, too.

 

[mousiemom]

I LOVE ours!!! We bought it at Academy of Sports for like $80.00 and we have used it for every trip we go on. We eat a lot in our room so we put all of our cold stuff in it for the trip down there. It has always kept our things cold. We make chicken salad and store in there, etc. Our milk never spills out. Holds 24 12oz cans!!! Keeps them ice cold.

 

[mrstomrice]

We borrowed my father's cooler (It is always passed around the family and had good luck with it. Dont' leave it plugged in in the car overnight b/c it will kill you battery. I belong to BJ's wholesale club and they have one advertised for under 60 in their newest flyer. It was a big help for us on the way and during our stay at Pop. Just turn it on a day or so before putting warm items into it and it will run fine. Mine holds water bottles, but nothing higher than that.

 

[kydisneyfans]

Don't leave it plugged into the ciggy lighter all night-we did at ASM and had to flag down security for a jump.

 

[reeeoga]

I purchased a small one at Sams about 3 months ago. It is capable of freezing water. I have used it daily for that time and it works great. Total cost was $29.17. It even survived the car crash (car didn't, everyone invovled was OK). I will post the name if anyone is interested, But it is in the car at the mo.