How big is too big? And I see the new FWC (Webasto) fridges claim "NOT" to be able to freeze stuff, just keep it frozen. I'm coming from a 17L cooler, and building up a Hawk shell, and need to get some feel for what is the "right" size for 2 folks for up to 6 days of boondocking.
My wife strongly prefers the cabinet (built in look) vs the cooler approach. We both like silence when camping.
Thoughts?
Vic, any compressor refrigerator/freezer will make some degree of noise. It's not bad, but it's there. We had a Dometic 80L in our Grandby, but I will use an Engel 40 liter chest style when my Bobcat arrives. Last year at Lake Powell, we used the Engel strictly as a freezer, transferring food and bottles of ice into a small ice chest every day. It was on a dedicated Group 27 battery that I had to charge twice a day for roughly an hour each time It was not hooked to the boat or a solar system. We used a Yamaha 1000 to keep it topped up. In the Bobcat, the Engel will be connected to the camper battery, so no generator needed. Also used as a refer, not a freezer.
I believe the chest style is far more efficient than a standard upright refrigerator. One distinction/advantage is your cold air doesn't come tumbling out every time the lid is opened. You can also easily add insulation to the outside of a free standing unit. I use Reflectix with ours.
That's my 2ยข worth, YMMV.