If your boat doesn’t have a refrigerator and/or freezer — or you’re looking for some extra refrigerator or freezer space — several readers have suggested the Engel portable refrigerators and freezers as an alternative to installing a built-in one. They also make several “drop-in” models suitable for permanent installation as well as very good — and tough — coolers. I bought one in the spring of 2018 and love it!
While they are not cheap, the Engel portables and drop-ins are cheaper than most built-in systems and you don’t have to deal with building a box — which is messy, time-consuming and also expensive.
Don’t confuse these with 12-volt coolers, like the ones from Coleman that you find in big-box stores. These are real, true refrigerators and freezers.
The Engels are great for full-time refrigeration options and they’d be perfect for trailer-sailors and also some of the “weekender” boats and large pontoon boats with mini-galleys that I’ve seen, too!
Engel makes a wide variety of portable refrigerators and freezers, as well as coolers. They range in size from 13 quarts (inside dimensions 13″ x 7.5″ x 7.5″) running on 12 volts to a monster 80 quarts (inside dimension 20.1″ x 14.9″ x 16.7″) that can run on 12 volts, 24 volts or 110 AC (i.e., on shorepower). They now have one drawer model and three front-loaders. See them all here (note that you’ll find better deals on all models from other retailers).
Engel claims to use about 40% less power than other comparable refrigeration systems and in checking various brands I find that generally true. Obviously, the actual power draw depends on the size of the unit, the temperature in the boat, how often you’re in it and how often you put warm food or drinks into it.
The 40-quart Engel MR040 is specifically marketed for boats, with a heavy ABS plastic case (no metal to rust in salt air) and typically draws less than 2 amps per hour (depending on temperature, etc). As of April 2020, it costs about $750 — not at all cheap but far less than building a box and installing an Adler-Barbour 12 volt system.
One thing to note is that almost all of these units can operate as either a refrigerator OR freezer, but not both at the same time. The two exceptions to this is the MT45 or MT60 Combi Fridge & Freezer which combines both in one. Your other option would be to buy two units — one for a refrigerator and one for a freezer.
You can buy the Engel on Amazon:
Two things to note in planning your new refrigerator: (1) on almost all models, the handles can be removed and (2) allow 2 inches of air space around the compressor for ventilation.
The bottom line that almost every “real world” review comes to is that yes, they’re more expensive than other brands of portable refrigerators (don’t compare them to 12-volt coolers) but they have far better chilling/freezing ability, last far longer, and are much more strongly built.
I absolutely love ours — I used it as a freezer during our 3+ months of cruising the Bahamas and was able to put enough meat for 63 meals for two people in the 40-quart size. We consider it to be one of the best upgrades we’ve made on Barefoot Gal.
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Margaret McGovern says
We bought an Engle about three years ago and I use it strictly as a freezer. It has changed my life1!! I have only good things to say about it…easy to defrost, rust-resistant, low power and keeps things really frozen. Now I can stock up on meat and know that I always have something to fix for dinner. Love our Engle!!!
Allan says
Model would be helpful..
Mid-Life Cruising! says
What a great tip! We will definitely keep this in mind for our sailboat once we’re ready to cruise. Thanks again Carolyn!
Kendra Smith on Facebook says
We have one and it has changed my life as a livaboard! LOVE IT!
The Boat Galley on Facebook says
I’ve also gotten two more “gushing” e-mails from people today about these, in addition to the comments here, on the article and the ones I got before I wrote the article. Nobody has said anything negative!
Jim says
I bought two of the drop in units (MB40) directly from Engel to use as refer and freezer about 3 months ago. Although I have not installed them or used them yet, other than a test to be sure they arrived in working order, I can say they are built very well.
I plan to install them in an insulated “box” with a traditional insulated lid. I will have to go through two lids to get to my beer but they should operate very effectively. Currently they look great sitting in my living room!
Debra Trottier says
We love our 40 qt Engel! We live aboard and our Engel has been in operation 24/7 for five years without a problem. Our sailboat didn’t have a refrigeration system – only a very large ice box. Engel didn’t offer drop in models back then, but we found that by using the Engel as a freezer and using half the space to freeze 6 half gallon (milk/juice) bottles, we could use them to keep our ice box at 40 degrees. We have 6 bottles in the ice box and 6 in the freezer and switch them every 24 hours. The other half of the Engel we use for frozen food. The Engel came with a large wire basket so I used a flexible cutting board zip-tied in place to keep the frozen food from falling into the “ice bottle” portion when changing out the bottles. I absolutely love our system – I can keep plenty of frozen meat aboard and still have a huge “refrigerator” for produce, condiments, and drinks. Perfect!
Mark says
That is something to think about for me, buying one unit makes sense and using it to freeze bottles of water to keep an ice chest or ice box cool as a refrigerator is worth thinking on. For me it would depend on the power consumption needed to freeze the bottles.
Chris Link on Facebook says
Have used our for two years and thousands of nautical miles with no problems,is all it is advertised to be.
Mary Dixon says
Since we try to keep use of canned foods to a minimum due to health concern regarding salt, we love our Engel 40 because we can keep frozen meat, frozen fruit and vegetables on our boat. Our Engel 40 used as a freezer requires less energy consumption than our built in frig that is well insulated.
Margaret McGovern on Facebook says
Our Engle freezer is one if the best purchases we made for our boat. Love it!
Jenn Cole says
I have a 40 litre Engle fridge on my 24 foot day river cruiser. I sometimes stay out for 1 or 2 over nighters and this keeps everything cool, especially the beer! Ahhh!. The inbuilt option of freezer or fridge is great and provides options of how cold you want things dependent on the weather. A great product. JC Australia.
Danielle Redwine McDaniel on Facebook says
We are definitely getting one! They make a cold plate now to retro fit existing fridges!
Ted Reshetiloff says
I have done some research on these and found Engel to be the most effecient but also the most expensive. The three brands that I considered seriously as they all used the Danfoss BD-35 compressor were Engel, Dometic/Waeco, and Edgestar. I focused on the 35-40 qt models as our intention was to supplement our exisitng built in fridge with the portable being mainly used as a freezer. The Edgestar 40 qt model FP-430 came in as the least efficient drawing up to 5.4 amps however the price was just over $400 and several folks on the Cruisers Forum had good things to say about long term live aboard use. The Dometic/Waeco units were in the middle with the CF-40 model drawing up to 3.75 amps and priced about $550-$600.( I bought this model for $575 with shipping to Annapolis). The Engel MR-040 was the most efficient drawing just 3.0 amps but the best price I could find online was $850. For me the savings of .75 amps wasnt worth $275 but it may be for others. Smaller units such as the Engel MT-25 draw less than 3 amps, however almost all of these units should be able to be run from a reasonably sized solar panel. From everyone I have spoken to, mostly via the Cruisers Forum, all three brands come with nothing but praise. Some units appear to have more metal while others more plastic but I have not read any complaints of rusting even when used in the tropics. Thanks
Cheryl Geeting on Facebook says
I just love all your great tips! Once we finally sell our house we’ll be referring to your site to see your recommendations. This looks like a great tip!
Stormy Duchess says
We purchased an Engel 40 qt and plan on getting another to put side by. Engel is pricey but worth every penny. Hauling ice all summer is expensive and a big mess. Thanks to Engel for such a low amp use product.
Bryce Winter says
I’m interested in a portable refrigeration system for the boat, but am worried about condensation in the cabin. Has anyone had any issues with hot, warm air being exhausted from the units, or with dripping coming off them?
Cheers,
Bryce.
Carolyn Shearlock says
I haven’t heard any complaints along those lines, but I do imagine it would depend somewhat on where you are. For example, when we chartered in Alaska in May (2000), the water in Glacier Bay still had “bergy bits” in it. Condensation — even without a refrigerator, the boat only had an ice box — was a huge problem.
I’ll ask your question on TBG’s Facebook page and see if anyone has used one in a cold climate and can offer an opinion.
Shelley Benger on Facebook says
We have one on our boat in Lake Ontario, Canada. Love it ! We have had no issues with condensation. It has a few inches to “breathe” on each side of it.
Jo Ann Thompson on Facebook says
Ah man, thought this was another drawing, LOL! 😉
The Boat Galley on Facebook says
Now THAT would be nice!
LaMarr Harding says
Had a Norcold for years and replaced it with an Engle about 5 years ago. (Engle 24)
Bought a Weaco coolmatic 26 when I ordered it but it came with the Domestic name on it. Right at the name change time.
I bought the coolmatic to fit between the front seats of my mini van.
When it came I was pleasantly surprised It runs quieter, has a digital temperature read out on the top
I thought the Engle was great but I love my coolmatic even more.
Danielle Redwine McDaniel on Facebook says
We are getting one!
Dave Skolnick on Facebook says
They make a great deep storage freezer. I have good sized refrigerator and freezer. I found that while cruising freezer space was more dear than refrigeration. An Engel under the aft berth doubles our freezer space. When the main freezer is about empty we pull out the aft berth and transfer the Engel contents to the freezer in the galley and shut off the Engel.
Some cruising friends of ours took a similar approach, burying their Engel under a settee and putting in a small computer fan to force air circulation.
The Boat Galley on Facebook says
As always Dave, great ideas!
Danielle Redwine McDaniel on Facebook says
I thought “cooker” was some sort of term I hadn’t seen used in this instance. I’m glad you said something or I might have gone around calling things “fancy cookers”
The Boat Galley on Facebook says
No, just auto-complete and a small screen so I didn’t really SEE what I’d written until I had a big screen. I have this love/hate relationship with auto-complete . . .
Carol Simmons on Facebook says
Our Engel 12 volt makes ice cubes and our 2 Kyocera 85 power it. Keeps Haagen Dasz (sp?) ice cream- others do not have the butter fat content. Love ourEngel.
Susan Thaxton Wyatt on Facebook says
We love our Engel! I like that it can either be a refrigerator or a freezer and has a very low power draw. Would not cruise without one!!
James Sutherland says
Where can we buy an Engel freezer for our boat in NZ?
Thank you. James Sutherland
Carolyn Shearlock says
So far, I’ve found this NZ company: http://www.rvworldstore.co.nz/catalogsearch/result/?q=engel
I’m still checking to see if there are others.
Update:
Here are others:
https://challengeyachts.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Engel
http://www.burnsco.co.nz/search_9?search=engel
Hope this helps!
Candace Thersby says
As you’ve already heard, it’s FANTASTIC!!!!! Freezer or refrigerator depending on our needs!
Chris Link says
Have had ours for four years and love it,low power consumption and keeps frozen meat and ice cream rock hard.We made a cardboard mock up to find a place to keep it,otherwise would have bought one too big.
The Boat Galley says
Great idea!
Liz Mehrtens says
have had one aboard HIGH HOPES for 6 years and its our only fridge, and we Love it!
Mary Larson-Dennis says
Love, love, love our Engel on s/v Sea Change!
Sherry Murch says
We have the engel combo fridge/freezer on our boat and love it. We have it in addition the the fridge on the boat. Low power consumption and the freezer keeps everything froze even ice cream
Lynn Doug Macfarlane says
We’ve just installed one. Too early to say if it’s great or not, but love the positive reports about the Engel.
Sharon Bennison says
Where can you buy one in canada?
The Boat Galley says
Here’s one: http://ca.binnacle.com/Portable-Freezers-and-Refrigerators/c307/index.html?filter_id=266
The Boat Galley says
Here’s another (scroll towards the bottom of the page): https://underwaterkineticscanada.com/products/view-category/coolers
Lynn Doug Macfarlane says
Hi Sharon. I bought mine at West Marine in San Diego, but you could go online and buy from Engel directly or through Amazon.
Sharon Bennison says
Thanks doug. I will look at engel on line.
P. Ard says
Our 40qt. Engel is THE BOMB….on our boat for about 2 years now . It is efficient, convenient, quiet, dependable, low amp. The danfoss, ‘frigo’, ‘melto’, whaterv-o, etc..systems are a joke in comparison.
We added insulation to our CSY built in cooler and freezer system, (the ‘coffin’)…more controllers, much money to repairmen for leaks, wires, and clunky …crud collecting parts smeared with tar, tape, solder, 5200, globs of sealant here and there….gag… and we experienced a litany of issues, failed pumps pieces, & parts, and general grief…..STRESS and More STRESS with that archaic 1940’s technology cold plate system that is constantly in the way of managing your food.
A fortune of our money spent for the routine spit in your eye breakdowns of battery sucking, time consuming, dirt collecting, old traditional complexity.
The amp misers are on your back continuously for trying to keep the food cool and edible with those ancient systems. NO MORE of that. I have an Engel!!! I ordered it out of desperation, and now yaaaay and goodie, and yippee….I love it.
The Engel performance is right up there in a class with our Rocna anchor.
Ken says
Come now, don’t hold back. Tell us how you really feel.
McTug McGahee says
We recently bought one. They are FANTASTIC!!!! Great investment for the boat!
Beth Burlingame says
I have a Dometic version and love it.
Mary E Dixon says
Still love ours. Gives us more space in our frig since we keep frig at lowest setting & use it only as frig. The freezer box in frig is used for drinks.
The Boat Galley says
Good idea!
Mary E Dixon says
Lowest setting is least cold setting on frig.
Kathleen Kathe Spidell says
We re powered our chest space with 2 and we have a huge one we use as end table. Love them! Has made a huge difference in our energy consumption!
David Grimm says
I have the ARB which is 50 qts for the same price. It draws just a fraction less power. I can not fault the Engel. I wanted the extra space.
Robert Snelling says
On my list; ‘just have to figureout the space-issue
Jane Gammons says
We love ours, use it on a power boat that had a great redone galley but no room for refrigeration. We use it mainly to freeze 2 liter ice bottles to use in the ice box. Freezes four bottles in 24 in the shaded cockpit in the summer months. Very low voltage also.
Michael Lee says
Thanks for your input.
Tjarda Murris-Lambrechts says
Best thing ever!
Joe Sprouse says
Had mind for 4 years. Use it as a freezer. Ice cream on the boat for 2.5 amps
Joe Sprouse says
Oh on a sail boat.
Debbie Williamson says
Love ours!!
Lisa Cooper says
Bought ours at the Annapolis Boat Show in October and LOVE it! Use it as a freezer, or use it on LOW and it’s an extra refrigerator.
Michael Burby says
the best thing got on my love it
Cruise Jackson says
Not only use It on my boat but also in my 4×4 when camping it stands up to the perils of the Aussie outback
Yvonne Miller says
We have the Domestic brand and we absolutely love it. It has a large freezer space and a small container space to put cold drinks. This more than doubles our capacity for provisioning meats and fish. We also have been successful with frozen lasagna, pot pies, pre-made breakfast meals. Also. Cold enough for ice cream, this makes long distance cruising easy.
Sherry Murch says
We had the 60 litre fridge freezer combo on our boat and loved it and it is so energy efficient. Would definitely recommend it. We used ours under the Nav station
Craig says
We’ve had a 40 litre Engel for our 4×4 here in Australia since about 1995. It’s been great and it did need an expensive compressor replacement along the way. It is fairly quiet, benefits from a homemade foam insulated jacket and can bounce around on bumpy outback roads which is great on our boat as well.
Fast forward to 2015, The Waeco brand (Part of the Dometic Group) is similar and reportedly uses less current per 24 hours in identical conditions.
David says
This is quite noticeable – we have had both. The Waeco is also quieter by a long shot. The cheap powertechs behave very similar to the waeco in queitness and performance ( same motor)
Bryce Winter says
I’ve had a quick look to see how these units are insulated (VIP panels, foam, thickness, etc), but I can’t find details. Has anyone found this information and can share?
David says
I have had these and Waeco in several forms. In my last boat I put a Engel side opening fridge. It ran a heck of a lot more than any Waeco we had ever owned and the noise was also substanitally loader. We went back to a quiet waeco, and later a cheaper powertech thats as quiet as the waeco. both the waeco and the powertech use very little power compared to the engel.
Rob says
On doing some homework when thinking about a Fridge/Freezer here in tropical Nth Australia, I went to a repair place and asked what was the most they worked on in their store, and the reply was Waeco. I bought an Engel MT45 for living aboard a yacht and when we wanted to go bush, to keep our food and drinks cold out west. Very very happy with the Engel.
Bill Dixon says
Great device. We use ours as a freezer. Ice cream steaks and other goodys at anchor.
Chris Link says
I used a cardboard mock up to determine which size would fit before ordering,I liked that it automatically switched from shore to battery power too.I would recommend the factory insulated cover for tropical weather,it helped.
Jane Gammons says
We love ours on the power boat. It is in the cockpit. There was no room on the 28′ boat for refrigeration. We freeze 3 two liter jugs of water every 24 hours. Those jug go in the cooler below. We can make ice cubes also. The fact that it switches from 12 volt to shore power automatically. Well worth the price.
Chris Laletin says
We have a 40 quart and our 145w solar panel is more than enough to run it.
Martin Henry says
We use ours as the hard freezer, love it and couldn’t go without it.
McTug McGahee says
Awesome product. We use ours as a frig or freezer depending on need. Well worth the money!
Cory Nickerson says
Engel is the best. I went with a 90quart wynter for 650. Holds -6 degeeea midday july in the keys. Will see how long it lasts.
Toni Gypsy Borrett says
Have had ours for over 20 years. Wouldn’t be without it
Richard Scott Howerton says
Brittany Mcmanus how funny this was posted yesterday!
Brittany Mcmanus says
It’s almost like it was directed towards us, lol.
Sharon Thompson Dunsworth says
We love ours!
Lynne Taylor says
We wouldn’t go without one – they work as advertised!
Ken Karibe says
We love our MR040 however, 37 months of continuous use and the cooling unit died. Engel in Jupiter were awesome and accommodating but I still had to drive from the Keys to Jupiter for repair. New cooling unit, $310. Painful buts its running again. Hope it lasts.
Troy Etarip says
My $400.00 whytner hasn’t missed a lick and stays -2
Ken Karibe says
That was my next pick but the Engel fits in my designated space. If it dies again it will be an anchor.
Troy Etarip says
Ken Karibe lol
Eric Manevich says
I love my ARB
Patti Holma says
Love mine! We have a fridge and freezer but wanted something dedicated to produce – the Engle is fantastic!
Scott Doran says
I have 2 Engles on my boat, one in fridge mode the other is a freezer. Love them
Colin Douglas MacDonald says
love running in fridge mode 1 amp draw
Monica Richter Glubka says
Laura Blaquiere, these are what I was talking about. Maybe an option if you have space and enough power?
D. Ryan Spott says
Engel: the best way to keep ice cream on board.
Kristi Thomason says
I am a prairie-raised girl. I don’t like seafood of any kind. My husband calls our Engel ‘The Dead Cow Freezer’ (though it also contains pig and chicken). We are in our 9th year as full-time liveaboard/cruisers, and our original is going strong!
Erica says
Quick question about your Engel; I also have a Gem 105M and I’ve been considering buying one of these to use as a freezer, but where in the heck do you put one of these where you won’t trip over it all the time?
Have you just sacrificed a cabin? I’m not sure I’m ready to be 100% without guest space but we have a kid on board so the third cabin is hers. Our dinette does convert, but it’s not very convenient to have people sleeping there.
Carolyn Shearlock says
There are only two of us aboard, and we’ve made the cabin behind the galley into a “pantry.” We removed the mattress off the bed and the Engel sits in the center of the platform.
Julie Plouffe says
Hello,
I read your article “Engel Portable Freezer – Refrigerator for Boats” and others (I love your website!!).
I am looking to buy a portable freezer for my sailboat and I have a stupid question (I’m new to electricity) : do we have to plug the freezer in a 12v plug or a regular 110 one?
Carolyn Shearlock says
It comes with cords for both, so it’s your choice.