Credit: https://thedigitalstory.com by Derrick Story
Last spring I reviewed the Bodega Mini Cooler that has a surprisingly robust refrigerator condenser, yet draws a mere 35 watts of power. I keep it stashed in the back of my VW ID.4 and use it year-round. Now, I can't imagine road-tripping without it.
But there are occasions when I need more than the Mini's 9-quart capacity. So I began investigating larger models and settled on the 48 Quart Dual Door portable fridge. The extra storage is divided into two separate dual-zone compartments that are ideal for extended camping trips, tailgating, and summer patio parties.
The large shipping box showed up on my doorstep in early December, and I've been testing it over the past few weeks. Here are the ins and outs of this sophisticated, yet affordable, fridge/freezer on wheels.
Clever Design
When you look at the exterior of the 48-quart model, it looks robust. The beefy extending handle, tractor-like wheels, and dark-blue textured surface all shout, "Get me out in the world!"
My first use for it was a holiday party at the house. We wanted to keep guests out of the kitchen but allow them to grab refreshments when they wanted. We parked the Bodega Cooler in the main gathering area, and it worked great. I put the beers on the right side and set the temp to 28 degrees, keeping them frosty cold. The soft drinks and waters were on the left at a cool 32 degrees. There's even a built-in bottle opener.
Both internal compartments feature lift-out baskets that make loading and unloading a breeze. Dual LED light strips illuminate the contents. The compartment on the right is smaller because the condenser is beneath it. It's perfect for freezing ice or maintaining super cold drinks. The left side is deeper and ideal for food and chilled water.
Speaking of freezing, yes, the 48-quart can make ice. Standard trays fit perfectly in the right compartment. Push the temp all the way down to -4 degrees F, and in about 5 hours, you will have beautiful cubes.
You may be wondering, "If it can make ice, how does the Bodgea Cooler fare with ice cream?" The answer? Very well! I stored a 1.5 quart container of vanilla in the freezer at -4 degrees F, and 12 hours later, its consistency was still perfect. Imagine that... ice cream on your next camping trip!
Settings and Energy Usage
I'm impressed with this portable cooler that can freeze ice, yet only draw 45 watts of power. Before the adoption of LEDs in the home, our lightbulbs used more energy than that.
There are two cooling modes on the Bodega 48 Quart: ECO and MAX. Generally speaking, ECO draws +/- 35 watts when the condenser is running, and MAX uses +/- 45 watts. I powered the cooler with both a Jackery 600-watt power station and a Bluetti 1000-watt unit.
Since the condenser doesn't run all of the time, a 600-watt power station can keep the cooler cold for an extended period of time. You need to factor outside temperature, your internal settings, ECO or MAX mode - so I recommend testing before hitting the road.
In my use, I tapped about 30 percent of the Jackery 600-watt unit every 12 hours. That was with both left and right compartments set to 32 degrees F in mild weather. If I stepped up to a 1000-watt power station, I could run the 48-quart cooler for a full two days in reasonable weather.
There are also alternative ways to power the cooler. With the power stations, I used the 12-volt accessory plug. I could use the car's 12-volt outlet instead of the Jackery. Additionally, the Bodega Cooler ships with an AC adaptor that plugs into a home wall outlet. And finally, Bodega does sell a Lithium battery specifically designed for the cooler that fits in an internal slot. I haven't tested that battery since I have my own power stations already.
Another factor on how you power the 48-quart unit will in part depend on how much room you have. It is a large box (18.1"D x 28"W x 19.9"H) better suited for SUVs and truck beds. You can see in the pictures how it takes up about 40 percent of my boot storage in the VW ID.4. So while driving, I can power it with the 12-volt outlet back there to save space. Once I'm at the campsite, I can offload the cooler and use a separate power station or 110-volt outlet if one is available.
Usage Tips
If you're planning to use the cooler for a tailgate or party, then I recommend powering it up about 5 hours before the event. Set the temperature to 24 degrees F in MAX mode, and load it up with your drinks. By the time the party starts, your refreshments will be ready to go.
For freezing ice, begin the process even earlier. Set the temp to -4 degrees F in MAX, put the trays in the unit, and allow eight hours for freezing.
Once the contents have reached the desired temperature, you can switch to ECO mode for maintenance. For drinks, I set the temp to 32 degrees F in ECO mode for overnight storage. They stayed nice and cold but did not freeze.
The Mobile App and Settings
Both Android and iOS users can download the app QZsmart to control the cooler. This is a handy option to the built-in LCD panel on the left side of the cooler. The software taps both Bluetooth and WiFi, but you have to configure the WiFi first in order to use the Bluetooth. I'm not a fan of that system. I think it should be the other way around, pairing Bluetooth first, then WiFi if you need it.
To add to the inconvenience, the unit can only access 2.4 GHz routers, but not 5 GHz models. So check your WiFi setup before attempting to connect the app to the cooler.
Once you do get the app and cooler talking to each other, the system works great. You can set the modes (ECO or MAX), temperature for both sides, monitor the battery level and voltage, and turn on and off the unit.
You don't need the mobile app to control the various functions of the cooler, but it's easier than the built-in panel. I recommend going through the effort to get things connected. You'll be glad you did.
Final Thoughts
The BodegaCooler 12V Portable Refrigerator, 48 Quart is an efficient, albeit large refrigerator/freezer that can be loaded in the back of an SUV or truck and provide robust cooling of foods and drinks. It can even make ice.
It's including power connectors for both 12-volt accessory and 110-volt AC. The cooler is handsome, well-designed, robust, easy to use, and very convenient.
In addition to recreational applications, the BodegaCooler can serve in outage emergencies when powered by a portable power station. Valuable frozen foods and groceries can be saved and medications preserved until the grid is restored.
For me personally, I like having a backup refrigerator in the garage that can also serve as a portable unit for my camping trips.
Highly recommended.
You might also like: Roadtripping with the BODEGAcooler Mini 12V Portable Fridge/Freezer - A Review
