Bushman Original Fridge

Seven years and hasn't missed a beat. An excellent product with great service. I picked up my combo package fridge from the factory in the East of Melbourne. Staff could not have been more helpful. I’ve used this fridge in my car, at the farm… Read more ·  2

and in our van. Uses very little power, is quiet and keeps everything icy cold. In fact, if you set the temp at -2c as suggested, beers at the bottom will have ice in them. On a 40deg day, that is heaven.

If anything happened to my fridge, I'd buy another without hesitation.

Early days still, but so far, I am impressed. We have done about 3,000 km on rural roads (what is laughably called ‘highways’ in Australia). Quite a bit of the travel on rough roads. We have the fridge located in the rear of the SUV. No internal mechanical rattles (e.g. compressor hitting internal pipework) whatsoever. I like the design… Read more ·  1

approach of having the cooling coils on the bottom and then stacking food upwards according to required storage temperature. In terms of energy consumption, we are using around 400 Wh per day when running off 12 V DC. That is the Anderson Connector plugged into a 12V car cigarette lighter adaptor. However, when using the manufacturers 240V AC power supply, power consumption jumps to around 800 Wh per day. I assume this is because of additional losses stepping up to 240V AC and back down through the power supply. When running, the fridge motor draws around 30 Watts (12V DC), but double that if using the 240V AC power supply. Point of this information is that running the Bushman Fridge directly of a 12V DC supply is the most energy efficient approach. If you have an Anderson Connector in your vehicle, that is the best way to connect. The supplied 12V car cigarette plug keeps falling out (as all cigarette plugs are notorious for doing so). We are yet to test the fridge in summer extreme temperatures, and we will provide an update after summer. So far, very happy with the fridge.

Excellent fridge. I've got a stand-alone PV system on our house on a remote tropical island in the southwest Pacific. It's hot all the time, and I have to keep insulin cold. So it's a critical use in difficult conditions. I got this to replace a similar-size Dometic thermoelectric fridge, which was a real power hog that was drawing about 8 amps… Read more ·  1

and was killing my 12v battery, pulling it down to 9 volts every night. The Bushman fridge is drawing much less current than the old thermoelectric fridge, and the battery voltage stays up where it should be. I don't worry about how to keep the insulin cold like I did with the old fridge. The situation is under control now.

On serviceability, I've found out you can get the controller board as a spare part, so in future years if/when the board stops working, you can just put in a new one. The compressor can last for 20 years or so.

I also like that it has a temperature gauge, it's quiet, and it's nicely made. It wasn't cheap, but it's solid equipment.

First impressions matter – This is a delivery/first impression review. Four days ago, I hadn’t even heard of Bushman and now I own one. I have owned a number of ‘high end’ fridges before, including two of those that supposedly never break down (they do!), and have not been completely happy with any of them. I could go on for pages but will concentrate on Bushman. I was… Read more ·  2

looking for a smaller camping fridge with the main criteria being that of reliability. After looking at product Review I discovered the Bushman brand and after further research decided to give them a go. Delivery was crazy fast with the fridge appearing on my doorstep in under 24 hours of ordering. Packaging was first rate with the fridge and accessories being packed in a heavy box and inside the box the fridge was surrounded by dense foam tied together with two straps that can now be used as tie downs in my van. Thank you Bushman. The thing that struck me first was the quality and rigidity of the case. First rate strength and an excellent finish. Again thank you Bushman. I fitted the ultra heavy duty tie down points and fitted the high quality, beige canvas two piece transit bag as well. It all went together perfectly and precisely and looked good. I didn’t fit the handles nor the domed lid as space was limited. The included baskets are by far the best in the business. I appreciate the obvious quality and strength of construction, the excellent transit bag and delivery experience. This fridge is going to be used as a companion to the upright fridge inside my van but will be subject to harsher conditions. I’ve no doubt that it’ll cope. Bushman boast about their customer service and my experience so far certainly backs their claims. I also note that Bushman carry extensive spares which is so important. Read reviews about some cheaper brands and you can actually feel people’s frustration at attempting to get simple parts and being forced to replace near new products. Fancy having to dump a fridge simply because the hinges have failed! Lunacy. Landfill must be full of junked cheap fridges. Not cheap if you have to buy two or three.

FOLLOWUP REVIEW.

We’ve now used the fridge extensively in our van in north west NSW in stifling heat reaching high 30’s to low 40’s most days. The fridge has been used as a freezer most of that time. The fridge temperature has been rock solid stable with the food staying well frozen. I know other fridges can do this as well but the Bushman excels in two important areas. *. Noise. This fridge is near silent and runs very smoothly. Prior to owning this fridge I have been running another brand that uses a different style of compressor that produces a distinct type of vibration that seems to engage the whole van. You can hear/feel it running at night. No such carry-on with the Bushman.

* Power usage Whilst I am not measuring my power usage, I can compare with others that we are camping with presently. We have been running off grid for quite some time and the others are regularly running out of power where we are not. I know that there are lots of variables but another couple are travelling with in an identical van to ours with their power getting to 40% overnight whilst ours hasn’t dropped below 85%. They run a different freezer to us which apparently is legendary but I’m not sure that it is. The only major difference between the vans is the freezer brand.

I’m still impressed with the quality of the cabinet and transit bag along with the two excellent baskets.

All in all, I’m fully satisfied with my Bushman fridge and would recommend it without hesitation.

We used the fridge as a second fridge on a boat over Christmas. It ran for a week and never missed a beat with very little temperature variation. The basket configuration made it easy to access whatever we needed without unpacking individual items from the whole fridge. We will be using it in our van with the flat lid to fit it in the fridge slide. Show details ·  1

This fridge is excellent, being able to vary the size to your needs is absolutely the best, you don’t always need 52L but sometimes you do. The quality is outstanding. Loving it Show details ·  1

I only had the fridge for a few weeks where it was used for field work in the bush (2 x 1-week stints) and for a music and cultural festival (x 1 week) where it was powered by external battery whose charge was maintained by portable solar panel. It worked a treat, and all my perishable tucker and beer was chilled as required. I used it at the 35l… Read more ·  1

capacity but will next add the extension collar and dome lid as I think it will be easier packing perishable goods (& beers) required for those lengths of time. Of course, extended time of ownership and use is an important test yet to be undertaken but it does seem quite power efficient from the few weeks used. My only suggestion is that the cord storage pouch could be slightly bigger to store all the cords when not in use and more Velcro to secure the pouch flap. Recommended

I am totally happy with this camping fridge so far, it is running very efficiently and I got the expansion kit as well which is very clever and gives you a lot of different options on how you want to use it! Show 2 replies

A great fridge that doesn’t use a lot of power to run when camping running is the car second battery. The multiple baskets and different configurations are one of the reason this fridge stood out above others. Customer service was fantastic when I emailed some questions about running the fridge for different set ups the responses were prompt Show details ·  1

So far so good- performance is excellent/the covers supplied are of good quality/the power supply options provided are all you will probably ever need for any situation. The current draw is probably the best on the market Show details ·  1

Bought the Bushman Original Fridge over a year ago. Have used it extensively for around a hundred days of camping. A well built and insulated fridge. Very reliable. Low power draw. Comfortably runs off a twelve volt lithium battery. I was having issues with the cigarette plug disconnecting from the battery in transit. Fitted an Anderson socket in its place along with a twenty amp fuse and had no further incidents. Happy to recommend. Show details ·  1

After owning two different Dometic/Waeco fridges that both failed in different ways, I switched to a Bushmans — and I haven’t looked back. It’s been close to 5 years running 24/7 in the back of my ute, travelling all over the country in all sorts of conditions. Through heat, dust, and rough roads, it hasn’t skipped a beat or given me a single… Read more ·  1

issue. The reliability has been outstanding.

If I had one gripe, it’s that I wish they made a 95L dual zone model for those extended family camping trips— that would be perfect!

Overall, Bushmans has proven to be far superior to the other brands I’ve owned. If you want a fridge that just works and keeps working, this is the one.

We bought our 35-52 fridge second hand - owned it for over a year and it has been running pretty much non-stop in either the car, boat, shed or beach shack on 12 and 240 volt since then, and so far it has been fantastic. The interchangeable lids work to suit my needs, the basket system is really clever, and the customer service is excellent (I've… Read more ·  1

bought a new cover from them, plus had a few questions, and they are always really helpful and quick to respond). Functional, well built, quiet and the power draw seems low. Currently working 24/7 as a freezer in my shed at -18 degrees. Highly rate it and if this one ever stops working I reckon I'd buy a new one to replace it.

It's been working perfectly since I bought it a few months ago, I'll write another review on it in 5 years time and we'll see how it's going then. Mine is the 35-52 litre fridge. One thing I don't like about it is the weak flimsy latches to secure the lid, I had to doctor mine so the lid was on firmly. For what I paid for it, I would have expected… Read more ·  1

better, I hope Bushmans read this review and fix this problem. That's why I have given a 4 star and not a 5 star rating.

This fridge is the best purchase we’ve made. We’ve had it for 7 years, the control panel malfunctioned once and they sent us a new one for free. Highly and strongly recommend this product over all other car fridges. Buy it once, have it for life. Show details ·  1

Product is as described. Bottom of fridge is freezing if temperature is set low. A reminder when loading the fridge that food will freeze. Top part best for fridge products. Love how you can expand the capacity of the fridge to suit your trip - from two days to one week. Very happy with purchase. Show details ·  1

I have the Bushman SC35-52 running full time in the back of my four wheel drive in the 35l configuration. It’s running off a Redarc sbi12d and Optima yellow top which only has 55ah. The fridge has been running for over a month straight without even coming close to draining the battery even though I do short trips to and from work. The build… Read more ·  1

quality is excellent and the double tie down points on each side keep it securely in place. An extra bonus to how good the fridge is, is the customer service from the team at Bushman. It is exceptional. 10/10!

The Bushmans Original Fridge is fantastic, it absolutely stacks up to all the reviews. Very sturdy construction and love the cover the fridge comes with. I have wanted one of these fridges for some time and it was certainly worth the wait over some of the cheaper brands on the market. I also brought the fridge slider which is great. Show details ·  1

I recently purchased a Bushman car fridge, and I couldn't be happier with my decision. From the moment it arrived, I was impressed with both the build quality and the prompt delivery. The fridge is incredibly easy to use, with a straightforward design that doesn’t overcomplicate things. One of the standout features for me is its low power draw –… Read more ·  2

even on scorching hot days inside a hot car, it remains efficient without draining the battery.

The insulated cover is well-made and helps maintain temperature, and I love the interchangeable sizing options, which add to its versatility. Whether for short trips or extended adventures, this fridge delivers exactly what I need.

If you're after a reliable, well-built, and energy-efficient car fridge, I highly recommend Bushman Fridges. It’s worth every cent!

Previously had a 120w solar panel, PWM regulator, lithium battery and an old Engel fridge, but too-low power generation and too-high fridge current consumption killed us in shady campsites. Decided we needed to address multiple parts of the power equation,..... not just one. So, bought a new, very low current consumption Bushman 35-52 fridge, a… Read more ·  1

new MPPT regulator and a new 200w solar panel on the 4WD teamed with the same lithium battery has revolutionised our camping setup. I left the Bushman running inside the 4WD in 35+ heat and it kept its cool and the battery recharged every day. Great combo. Very happy.

I purchased my fridge yesterday and accidently dented it whilst removing the packaging. I contacted Bushman to enquire about replacement parts. They promptly replied and offered to send out a new part. They didn't ask for any money. Very good service that gives me confidence the fridge will be well supported in the long term. Show details ·  1

I use the Bushman SC35-52 daily, and it’s been a lifesaver. Whether I’m keeping groceries fresh on long drives, storing drinks for a day at the beach, or using it as an extra fridge at home, it never disappoints. The adjustable size (35L-52L) makes it super versatile, and it runs quietly and efficiently without taking up too much space. With 12V,… Read more ·  1

24V, and 240V compatibility, I can plug it into my car, home, or even a power bank. Built tough and reliable, it’s perfect for anyone who needs a portable cooling solution!

A quality fridge - you get what you pay for! – I based my purchase of this fridge off the reviews that I read during my research. I can 100% agree that this fridge is a quality unit and was well worth the price. It is super quiet - you wouldn't even know it is on. It maintains a steady temperature which is very economical on the battery. The 35 - 52L collars have been great when we have… Read more ·  1

required more space. They are easy to install and remove, and are all protected by a top quality cover. I have it permanently setup in my Toyota Prado and it has not missed a beat. I am a big believer in 'you get what you pay for' for a big ticket item like this and I am super happy to have spent the extra for a quality unit.

Good not sure of value – Works well. Temperature can vary a lot - I was a little surprised by this. Juggling the baskets can be annoying at times - maybe I should have considered an upright. I also cut my finger on the clasp. The lid moves a lot - I might need to tighten the screws. Unsure at this stage if it's worth the expensive cost. Show details ·  1