Replace Yeti with Norcold NRF 30

AustinHealey

About to replace the Yeti 35 liter with the Norcold NRF30 in my 2020 Tag Boondock 5 wide. Will be mostly boon docking and using a ZAMP 140 watt portable solar suitcase to keep the battery up. Thoughts on the capacity of the NRF30? Is this thing so small I am gonna wish I had my yeti back? How much can you put in it? I know some of the space in the Yeti is taken up by ice, so it seems it will end up being about the same capacity. Thoughts? Experiences?

beaky

its fantastically efficient at storing food, you will need a separate cooler for beer and drinks. we bought one of those orange Igloo water coolers, we fill it with party ice, dump in half a rack of Tecates, and we are good for 4 days. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Igloo-5-Gallon-Heavy-Duty-Beverage-Cooler/35520771?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=2181&&adid=22222222227023623288&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=43910458832&wl4=aud-566049426705:pla-84282070592&wl5=9031397&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=35520771&veh=sem&gclid=CjwKCAjwkJj6BRA-EiwA0ZVPVh3_QxDR9AurKCh0qWOkdfQf1f3gUN5QhTjaISSwaUrKUSXTvgC2LhoCdRMQAvD_BwE

ClarkGriswold

My wife and I have no problems stocking our NRF30 with enough food including milk and some beverages for a weekend. It can hold more than the Yeti. One of the things that maximizes these fridges for longer trips is knowing what actually needs to be kept cool and what doesn't (like fruits and veggies), we put that stuff in another hard sided cooler or pelican case. If it is going to be excessively hot out we keep our extra beverages in a cooler (no ice) to keep them from getting too hot and cycle them into the fridge once we've drank everything in the Yeti.

Keep some bottled water, canned drinks, or ice packs available to keep the fridge full as much as possible- it will use less energy cooling a can/bottle/pack and keeping it cool than it will with an open space.

HikinMike

We just returned from a four day three night camping trip. The NRF30 did great. I did put a Coghlan's Inside Cooler Lid light on the lid because the factory light on the side is obstructed by food. We placed those vegetables and things that didn't need refrigeration in an Front Runner safari box (we call it our pantry) like ClarkGriswold suggested. All beverages went into a Coleman 55 with two freezer packs which was then filled with ice (Lasted the entire trip). We also had a small ice chest with ice only for drinks (lasted two days).

WilliamA

The Norcold has a LIGHT inside?

"I feel I was denied critical,

Need to know

Information!"

Burt Gummer

I'll have to look at mine and see if it has one. Although I give myself a pass for missing that detail. Usually, when I'm digging in it for my wine bottle at night, I'm reaching up...🤪

WilliamA

OutdoorEd

@WilliamA said:
The Norcold has a LIGHT inside?

I'll have to look at mine and see if it has one. Although I give myself a pass for missing that detail. Usually, when I'm digging in it for my wine bottle at night, I'm reaching up...🤪
WilliamA

I lol'd.

valmayer

@WilliamA , it does not have a light, and I really think it is not necessary considering that the kitchen light is good, and honestly, my hands also know the difference between wine and beer even when everything is dark!

laurabe

@AustinHealey I am thinking of doing the same, just have one 100-watt solar panel. Thinking of getting a second. I also wonder how if that's enough to replenish the battery and how long we can stay boondocked.

HikinMike

The light is in the shallow part of the cooler on the side. I usually never notice it as I have that compartment packed with food. Very dumb location.

I have portable 180W solar panels which are enough to charge the battery and keep the cooler running.