All posts in: Mini Fridges

Find the right dorm room fridge

Kitchen & Food
By Saralyn Chesnut on August 30, 2011 in

Roomies checking out there mini fridge

If you or you child has just moved into a college dormitory, or are getting ready to, chances are you've thought about getting a mini fridge to keep snacks and drinks handy. First, check your school's housing policy to make sure you're allowed to keep a mini fridge in your room, and if so, whether the school imposes any restrictions on what kind or size you can have.

Got the all clear? Don't hit the store without a little background information--not all mini fridges are the same and some aren't meant for food at all. Here are some questions to ask yourself to help narrow down your choices. Once you've zoned in on what type of mini fridge you're looking for, read our report for the best models.

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Which dorm fridges make the grade?

Kitchen & Food
By Christine Frietchen on August 23, 2010 in

Mini fridge

No dorm room is complete without a mini refrigerator (college students need to keep all that Red Bull someplace), but it's not quite as easy as heading to Walmart and picking up the cheapest fridge you can find. There's a major distinction between the two main types of mini fridges, and it's one that's not apparent at first glance. It turns out that some models are not fridges as all -- instead of using a compressor and coolant like a regular fridge, some models use thermoelectric cooling -- much like those portable coolers that plug into a car's cigarette lighter. This type of mini fridge can't get very cold, so they're not a good choice for storing leftovers and your drinks won't be super chilly. Read more

Small appliances to make your dorm room feel like home

Kitchen & Food
By Scott Nyerges on August 4, 2010 in

college dorm appliances

Small appliances like a microwave, a coffee maker and a mini fridge are fairly small investments that go a long way toward making life in a college dormitory more comfortable. Whether you need to fuel a late-night study session or just want to keep all that Red Bull cold, choosing the best small appliances for your dorm room is easy. ConsumerSearch has number of reports that will make it simple to furnish your room with all the comforts of home. Read on...

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Some dorm fridges aren't safe for food storage

Kitchen & Food
By Christine Frietchen on September 2, 2009 in

Those little $80 cube-shaped mini fridges are de rigueur in dorm rooms, but before you buy, make sure you're getting a real refrigerator.

It turns out that the smallest of these units, like the $60 Chefmate BC-50A aren't using a compressor and coolant like regular refrigerators; instead they use thermoelectric (Peltier) cooling, much like the portable coolers that can be plugged into a car's cigarette lighter. That means they can only cool down to about 40 degrees -- and only in cooler rooms. If the ambient room temperature creeps over 70 degrees F, these little fridges just can't keep up. That makes these coolers dangerous for storing leftovers and perishable food since there's a good chance the unit just can't keep food cold below the 40-degree maximum recommended by the USDA. Read more

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