The Original Bushman Portable Fridge Freezer is a quiet A-grade in the school for outback fridges. Exceptionally efficient, adjustable internal volume and strong construction, it is quite possibly the most versatile fridge freezer on the market.
A tough powder-coated steel cabinet comes with three interchangeable lids and an extension collar making it adjustable between a choice of 35, 45 and 52-litre capacities. A variable speed Secop Danfoss compressor attached to full-sized condenser powers the fridge with outstanding performance. Use it solely as a fridge or freezer in 32L and 45L configurations or extend it right out to 52L for and use all three included baskets to create a combination fridge-freezer system in one that makes accessing the bottom of your fridge a breeze, and is all controlled from a digital thermostat.
Bushman fridges are backed by over 37 years of experience and offer Australia wide support. Their design is simple and strong and efficiently dissipates compressor heat to improve performance, resulting in low amp draw and the components used are some of the best in the world so your fridge will last you a lifetime. Complete with cover and tie-down brackets, hit the road with your Bushman fridge.
Includes cover
Adjustable volume 35L, 45L and 52L
Three baskets included
Secop Danfoss Compressor
12V Battery protection @10.4V
Includes 12 and 240V cables
External Dimensions:
74L x 38.5W x 54.5H cm (including handles)
Packed Dimensions:
66L x 38.5W x 54.5H cm (excluding handles)
Internal Dimensions:
28L x 39W x 29H cm
Weight:
24.5 Kg
Insulation Thickness:
4.5 cm
Cable Length:
1.9 Metres
Capacity:
52 L
Approx. Drink Capacity:
72 Cans | Upright Riesling Bottles
Material:
Powder Coated Steel cabinet | Polycarbonate lid & interior
Some new EV vehicles run the cigarette lighter socket at 16V rather than the normal 12V. Does this fridge work at that voltage?
John - Brisbane, QLD(5 months ago)
G'day John,
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you! We've contacted our mates at Bushmans who have tested out this fridge on a 16v setting in their workshop. The fridge appears to start up and run as normal, so all evidence points to this being a suitable option.
Lauren - Snowys(4 months ago)
Compare to Dometic CFX3 45l1 answer
Hi. I’m looking for a small to medium fridge that’s not too heavy, really efficient to run and going to last me. For camping 3-5 nights. Have been comparing this and the Dometic CFX3 and wondering which is better or how they compare. Love the flexibility in size and also “freezer” style ability of the Bushman but wondering how they compare otherwise since there is a bit of a price difference between them. Thanks!
Sarah - Perth, WA(11 months ago)
G'day Sarah,
The Bushman has a lower power draw on average 0.67Ah/h while the Dometic CFX3 at 1.03 Ah/h making the Bushman more efficient. The CFX3 is lighter and smaller at 18.7kg while the Bushman weighs 24.5kg. The Bushman has a Secop Danfoss compressor well known for its reliability paired with a 5-year warranty and 3 years on the fridge, Dometic has their own compressor with a 3-year warranty and 2 years on the fridge body.
Overall you get a sturdier steel cabinet with the Bushmans compared to the plastic Dometic, and will get an efficient reliable fridge that will last. Both are great fridges but worth the extra dollars for the well-made Bushman.
Kaya - Snowys(11 months ago)
Height at 52L Capacity1 answer
Can you confirm the height when it is at 52L? Is it 54.5cm as advertised or is that the height without the expansion pieces?
Jamie - Tamworth, NSW(1 year ago)
G'day Jamie,
The total height with the 52L extension on top is 545mm. There is a helpful diagram on Bushman's website with all the dimensions with each extension attached.
Kaya - Snowys(1 year ago)
Solar Panels1 answer
What solar panels would you recommend for running this fridge using a dual car battery setup and camping off the grid for a week?
Phillip - Tinbeerwah, QLD(1 year ago)
G'day Phillip,
According to Bushman's specs, this fridge will on average draw less than 1A. There are obviously a few variables that affect this, but the power consumption is fairly negligible & shouldn't put much of a strain on your battery system. You'd probably find a 120-150W panel sufficient to keep you topped up, however, the most common size people go for when investing in solar in 200W. It pretty much covers a range of applications, and you'll get more output from it in less than ideal conditions then you would from a smaller panel. What solar option you go with also depends on if you want a fixed panel that can be mounted to your roof racks or on a camper trailer/caravan, or if you are wanting a solar blanket. Check out our range here.
Lauren - Snowys(1 year ago)
Light 1 answer
Hi there, I was wondering if there is a light inside the fridge?
Matt - Mermaid Waters, QLD (2 years ago)
G'day Matt,
No, theres no light in the Bushmans 35-52L fridge.
Lauren - Snowys(2 years ago)
Operate with battery pack1 answer
G’day team, interested in a portable fridge setup and wondering if the Bushman will work with the Companion 40Ah Rover Lithium Power Station. What are your thoughts please? Thank you!!
Michael - Sydney (3 years ago)
G'day Michael,
Yes, the Companion 40Ah Rover Lithium will be able to run the Bushman Fridge with no worries. We'd recommend having a way to keep the battery topped up if you're stationary camping, so it's worth keeping that in mind too.
Leece - Snowys(3 years ago)
lower basket size1 answer
What is the size of the lower basket (ie the basket for the freeze section) of this fridge)? I want to be able to work out the volume of this freezer space. Thanks!
Kelly - Geelong, VIC(3 years ago)
G'day Kelly,
The Bushmans is a fridge/freezer, so will run at whatever temperature you set as opposed to being a straight-up freezer. The basket in the main body is 38L x 28W x 25H. Hope that helps!
Lauren - Snowys(3 years ago)
Fridge only?1 answer
Can this be ran in fridge only mode? I don’t need the freezer/fridge (honestly I just need to keep the beer and snags cold). Or does running in fridge only mode just mean a hot top section?
Mat - Vic(4 years ago)
G'day Mat,
Yes, you can run the unit as a fridge only, most people opt for this configuration. If you're using the extra extension and the domed lid then the top section won't be overly cold unless you drop the temperature quite low.
Leece - Snowys(4 years ago)
Run off car and dometic plb?1 answer
Are these ok to run during transit off a standard (Subaru forester) battery? Or is this type of car battery not strong enough? Then overnight off a dometic plb? Can the plb charge and the bushmans run off a car battery at the same time?
Mat - Vic(4 years ago)
G'day Mat,
Yes, you should be able to run this fridge directly from a 12V outlet in your Subaru, however, you'll need to unplug it when you make a stop, or set the battery protection so you don't accidentally flatten your main battery. You could use the PLB40 overnight to run your fridge, we'd recommend charging the PLB40 from a separate 12V outlet in your vehicle while driving as it will charge faster than if you're charging the unit while running the fridge.
Leece - Snowys(4 years ago)
Portable battery box options1 answer
Could you please advise if this unit is able to run off a portable power box with its cigarette lighter cord whilst out camping for 2-3 days? If so, can you advise which unit/s are suitable please
Aldo - Milperra (4 years ago)
G'day Aldo,
Yes, you are able to run this fridge off of a portable power pack such as the Dometic RAPS 44 or the Engel Battery box however you won't get more than a day out of it. You'll therefore need some way of keeping it charged - this is where solar panels and the like come into it! For further information about powering your gear off-grid have a read of our blog HERE.
Susie - Snowys(4 years ago)
Internal baskets1 answer
How do the baskets fit when in 35L and 42L mode? Can the small basket sit on the large basket without the medium basket in between?
Lyndal - Sydney(4 years ago)
G'day Lyndal,
I've double-checked with our display model and the baskets can sit on top of each other or if you spin it around 180 degrees it sits down inside the basket below it - this is to accommodate whether a collar is on or not! The small basket can sit on the larger basket without the medium in between.
Susie - Snowys(4 years ago)
Is this an all elements suitable fridge1 answer
I am looking at mounting a new 12V fridge in the back of a ute with minimal cover and was wondering if this fridge would hold up.
Christian - Adelaide(4 years ago)
G'day Christian,
The Bushman is certainly a tough fridge - its simple and strong, with its steel casing. However, it is made for use undercover so we don't recommend leaving it out in the elements.
Susie - Snowys(4 years ago)
What is the height of the Bushman as a 35l1 answer
I have limited height about 475mm in the back of the ute
Glen - Springfield Qld 4300(4 years ago)
G'day Glen,
I've just found a schematic diagram on the Bushman website, so that will probably be the best place to grab the size with and without the extra attachment. You can find the diagram here.
Leece - Snowys(4 years ago)
Drop down fridge slide size1 answer
Which is the perfect drop down fridge slide for this fridge?
Bree - Blacktown(5 years ago)
G'day Bree,
I believe you've spoken to one of my colleagues Susie, we don't actually sell drop down fridges so best bet will be to touch base with Bushman and see what they suggest.
Leece - Snowys(5 years ago)
Lid configuration1 answer
Hi guys, is it possible to switch the lid to open from the opposite side?
Dan - Bentleigh(5 years ago)
G'day Dan,
We've just double checked and the lid on the Bushman 32-52L Portable Fridge Freezer isn't reversible so you won't be able to switch it to open from the opposite side.
Leece - Snowys(5 years ago)
Bushman 35-52L Fridge1 answer
Good morning, I am also considering purchase of a Bushman 35-52L fridge. Please advise the amount of refrigerant charge shown on the factory label attached to the fridge.. In the photo that line is obscured by the power cord. Many thanks, Cheers, Mike
Mike - Cardwell(6 years ago)
G'day Mike,
I've just spoken with Bushman and the 35-52L fridge has 55 grams of refrigerant when new.
Leece - Snowys(6 years ago)
Internal dimensions 1 answer
Hello , could you please provide an internal dimension at the 35L size (height x width x depth) and also the added internal height once the 42 , 45 and 55L extension kits are added? Thank you
Scott - Capel sound (6 years ago)
G'day Scott,
I've been and measured our display model for you. Measurements were done with a tape measure so not super accurate, could be plus or minus a few mm's. The dimensions are 39cm wide and 29cm deep. 35L capacity gives you a height of 24.5cm, 45L capacity is 32.5cm and 52L capacity is 40.5cm.
Tim - Snowys(6 years ago)
Where are they made?1 answer
Are Bushman fridges made in Australia?
Ben - Keswick(6 years ago)
Bushman fridges are all made overseas in China now. But... they own all their own tooling and use high-quality factories that also manufacture equipment for BMW, Mercedes and Scania. On top of this Bushman do all of their own quality control here in Victoria, Australia, to ensure that every fridge they sell is in perfect working order for their customers.
Ben - Snowys(6 years ago)
Ventilation and compressor placement 1 answer
Hi. Ive researched but haven't found an answer...1) how much space do you need around the unit for ventilation and is it the same for all frideges (i am also considering purchasing an evakool instead)?
2. Does the compressor come situated on the left as well or just on the right hand side of the fridge as viewed in the pictures?? (Considering for placement in trailer). Thankyou!
Vicki - Eleebana(6 years ago)
G'day Vicki,
We'd recommend at least a few centimetres of space around the compressor of the Bushman Fridges 35-52L Portable Fridge Freezer but aiming for 10cm would be ideal. You'd probably want to do something similar with any other fridges with external compressors or vents. As for the compressor placement. It is only on the one side.
Ben - Snowys(6 years ago)
Bushman fridge1 answer
2Hi could you please let me know the length of the bushman fridge not including the handles, just the cabinet length. Thanks
Adrian - Cairns (7 years ago)
G'day Adrian,
The width of the Bushman 35-52L Portable Fridge Freezer without handles is 66cm.
Ben - Snowys(7 years ago)
running as freezer1 answer
Can the fridge at 45lts be run as a freezer or is it
only a dedicated freezer at 35Lt
Janet - 3875(7 years ago)
G'day Janet,
Absolutely, the Bushman Original 35-52L can be run as either a dedicated fridge or freezer with any size configuration.
For your information, the Bushman Original 35-52L can also be simultaneously run as a fridge, keep-freeze and crisper all at the same time. To do this, you set the thermostat to -5º, then use your top basket as a crisper, your middle basket as a fridge and the lower basket to keep things frozen.
Ben - Snowys(7 years ago)
Fridge and Freezer capability at same time2 answers
Hi, Can this fridge have separated fridge and freezer sections at the same time? How is this done/managed and what is the litres available for each section?
Maz - Strathalbyn(8 years ago)
G'day Maz,
There aren’t individual fridge and freezer sections in this model, so you won’t be able to set the temperature separately.
This model has one large compartment, with three baskets that sit on top of each other. To use it as a freezer and fridge at the same time you set the thermostat to -5 degrees, and then the top basket will act as a vegetable crisper, the middle basket will keep meat and dairy cool, and then the lower basket will keep food frozen.
One thing to note is that to use it at -5, you won’t be able to freeze anything, it will just keep your goods frozen.
This fridge has an extension collar so you can fit between 35-52L in here, but when you’re using it as a fridge and freezer at the same time, only the bottom half will keep the foods frozen.
If you want some more in depth detail, you can have a read of the Bushman brochure here which will give you the full lowdown on how it all works.
Emily - Snowys(8 years ago)
I have noticed at -4 some things in the bottom will start to freeze even when put in unfrozen. This is great, it means fresh meat will last even longer.