Having researched extensively before investing in a portable fridge/ portable freezer, we made our decision based on a combination of specifications and budget. As for portable refrigerators in the van life space, we think ICECO refrigerators offer the best value. Compared to higher-end fridges, they offer an excellent combination of durable construction, ingenious design, top-quality components, and an affordable price. Here is our ICECO VL60 Review, an in-depth examination of this Dual Portable Refrigerator/Freezer.
If you plan to live in a van, RV, or camp out in your car, then keeping your food cold means taking your fridge with you wherever you go. A good 12 Volt refrigerator is one of the best investments you’ll make when building your rig and is totally worth researching. Cooking your own meals in a campervan means saving money and eating healthier so you need to know that the fridge you’re getting will meet your needs and hold up to the rigors of life on a road trip with all of the bumpy roads, all while staying within your budget.
What makes The Iceco VL60 Refrigerator Different?
The Iceco VL60 is a portable fridge freezer that has been designed with portability and convenience in mind. It is made with a lightweight and ergonomic design, making it easy to take on the road for camping or picnics. Depending on your needs, the fridge can be used as either a freezer, refrigerator, or both, and offers up to 63.4 quarts of storage space.
In addition to its portability, Iceco VL60 also offers a SECOP Compressor, 40° tilt operation, fast cooling, and a 5-year compressor warranty. All of these features come at a much lower cost than other refrigerators out there; this makes Iceco VL60 the perfect choice for people on a budget who want to save money while still getting some great features. Also, if you are looking for something that is low-maintenance and easy to clean, then you should consider Iceco VL60 Refrigerator.
Specs:
- Type: Chest
- Refrigeration system: SECOP (Danfoss) compressor
- Dimensions: 31.2″ x 19.4″ x 18.8″
- Capacity: 63.4 Qt (60 L) (also available in 45, 75, and 90-liter sizes)
- Warranty: 5 years (compressor only) 1 year (All other parts)
Main Features
Iceco has dual power supply ports, which place identical power supplies on opposite sides of the refrigerator to make installation and mounting much easier. On the front side, you’ll find an temperature digital display with a built-in push-button control board and two USB ports for charging other devices. The shockproof design and superior corner strength make this product much more than an ordinary ice chest.
Pros
- Dual Power Sources- 12/24 volt and 110-240V AC – cables for both included
- An eco mode
- Flexible Dual Zone – Both chambers have individually controlled temperature settings. You can select a dual freezer combo, a freezer/fridge combo, or a fridge/fridge combo.
- Large Storage Capacity – 63.4 Quart capacity (89 soda cans)
- Independent Control Panel – Easy to read and use LED
- 60-65 Watt Energy Consumption – Solar panels easily keep up with the energy requirements
- Can maintain a sub-freezing internal temperature for extended periods no matter the ambient temperature.
- Removable basket for each chamber, which means you can get a larger space in each if needed.
- Heavy-duty corner-caps
Cons
- The lowest temperature is 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Only a problem if you want ice cream frozen hard.
- More expensive than most, but the quality warrants it. Dometic is still higher in price.
- Non-compressor parts warranty only one year.
Why I Chose The Iceco VL60
Energy Efficiency
The Iceco VL60s are dual-zone fridges, which means that they can cool and freeze your food at the same time. This will not only save you a lot of energy in the long run, but it will also keep your food fresher for longer periods of time.
The vl60 comes with a max mode and an economy mode. I use the max mode to get the temperature down to where I want it quickly and then switch to the economy mode. Once the desired temperature has been reached it takes very little energy to maintain it.
Since the chambers are separate, one side can be turned off if it is not being used to save energy.
Quiet Operation
The inside of the ambulance RV is extremely small and the sound echoes around inside of it constantly. Any errant noises during the night will keep me awake. The Iceco vl60 is so quiet that most of the time I don’t know that it’s running.
Compact Size
One of the things that most people don’t mention about their camper refrigerators is that the chest type can be used as a seating bench as well as keeping your perishables fresh. Given the dimensions that I gave earlier in the article, you would think that it would be underfoot in the aisle. It turns out that it is a vital piece of furniture I need to replace a chair that would take up too much space.
Many people that build their own rigs find a way put the refrigerator into a drawer and slide it under something, but I find mine much more useful to add extra seating space.
At present, the Iceco VL60 has all the space I need for food and ice so I would not go anywhere without it.
Warranty and Customer Service
The Iceco VL60 comes with an impressive warranty, guaranteeing your compressor for 5 years. This warranty also includes other parts of the fridge for 1 year. Considering that the electric compressor is the most expensive and most likely to fail, This is a pretty good deal.
Conclusion
The first time I went for an overnight trip in the campulance, I had this product with me. I was really wanting to see how much power it would consume compared to the other appliances. Boy, was I surprised! I had plenty of space for food and saw about 3% of my battery used overnight.
The Iceco VL60 is a great alternative to your regular refrigerator. It offers all of the convenience you could want without consuming too much space and without paying a high price. With so many features packed into one small product, it is hard not to love this little multifunctional appliance.
This post may contain affiliate links or mention our own products, please check out our disclosure policy here.