Thread: Engel fridges

A lot is personal preferance.
I have 2 an old 60 litre steel for 4x4 that is around 17 years old and a 27 litre plastic for wifes car or second freezer on long trips. Generally I would buy metal for a 4wd in the plus 40 litre sizes. A lot more durable. Have seen the plastic cases crack in harsh conditions.
Also seen plenty of Waecos with broken handles and cracked cases. The other thing I have noticed with Waecos is around actual capacity, they seem to actually hold less, dont know why.
Not sure why there is a price difference and people have quoted $500 difference between the plastic and metal Engels, have not seen a price difference that great. Not sure how true that is and cant see why. Have mot looked for a while but have not seen a plastic 60 or 80 litre Engel, but have not been looking hard either. There must be a reason because if the plastics were as good they would discontinue the metal ones.

Originally Posted by CraigE

A lot is personal preferance.
I have 2 an old 60 litre steel for 4x4 that is around 17 years old and a 27 litre plastic for wifes car or second freezer on long trips. Generally I would buy metal for a 4wd in the plus 40 litre sizes. A lot more durable. Have seen the plastic cases crack in harsh conditions.
Also seen plenty of Waecos with broken handles and cracked cases. The other thing I have noticed with Waecos is around actual capacity, they seem to actually hold less, dont know why.
Not sure why there is a price difference and people have quoted $500 difference between the plastic and metal Engels, have not seen a price difference that great. Not sure how true that is and cant see why. Have mot looked for a while but have not seen a plastic 60 or 80 litre Engel, but have not been looking hard either. There must be a reason because if the plastics were as good they would discontinue the metal ones.

I paid $799 for my plastic 38L Engel when they first came out the equivalent 40L metal Engel was $1299.00, they were significantly cheaper. They didn't have a built in temp. readout or low voltage cutout, but was supplied with a aftermarket temp. guage.
The plastic construction is very robust, mine fell off the fridge slide once when I opened the back door on the disco and didn't have it locked down on a steep slope. It bounced and rolled 10 metres or so down the hill with not even a scratch, considering it weighs 22kgs. not including the food that was in it, I was quite pleased that it wasn't damaged at all, Regards Frank.

I have had my Engel since the 90s and it has been great. The only problem has been the zipper on the padded cover, and the fact the cover held moisture and started a little rust on the sides. It makes a bit of noise and if you are sleeping in the same room, you turn it off, but the older beige ones are even louder. The newer ones seem quieter and are meant to use less power.

My only problem with Waeco fridges is they remind me of the Waco Siege.

Jeff