Who is this choice relevant to?

Holidaymaker with opened tofu

Wants to know whether the fridge in their holiday home is cold enough and whether an extra appliance is needed. The Voedingscentrum recommends a fridge temperature of 4 °C and a maximum storage time of two days for opened tofu.

User of a small holiday kitchen

Needs chilled storage for tofu and other groceries, and must make sure the external dimensions and layout suit the available space. Measure the space where the appliance will go and check the specifications for the exact model. The Consumentenbond recommends taking the fridge’s intended location into account, among other things.

Holidaymaker taking cooling on the go

Wants to use the same cooling solution on the journey and in the holiday home. The required power supply and the temperature the cool box reaches in real-world conditions are important considerations.

What should you consider when choosing?

Existing fridge

Choose this when: there’s enough room and, once the temperature has stabilised, a thermometer reads 4 °C.

Bear in mind: a dial setting isn’t a temperature reading. Check the temperature and available space on site.

Compact fridge or table-top fridge

Choose this when: the holiday home has a suitable permanent space and power socket, and you want to chill other groceries as well as tofu.

Bear in mind: external dimensions, layout, climate class and energy consumption vary by model. A freezer compartment takes up space.

Portable compressor cool box

Choose this when: you want to use the same cooling solution on the journey and in the holiday home, and have access to the required power supply.

Bear in mind: portability, internal capacity and connections. Even when the temperature is set, measure the temperature inside the storage compartment.

Thermoelectric cool box

Choose this when: a measurement in the conditions at your accommodation confirms that the contents stay at 4 °C.

Bear in mind: the stated cooling performance relative to the ambient temperature doesn’t guarantee a fixed temperature inside.

The Voedingscentrum recommends storing opened tofu at 4 °C and checking the temperature with a thermometer. The percentages below show which considerations are most important to consumers in this holiday scenario.

Consideration What to look for Who is this important to?
Storage temperature Check the temperature control and, once the temperature has stabilised, take a reading in the relevant storage compartment. If I want to store opened tofu, I need to know that the storage space really reaches 4 °C. Around 36% of consumers in this situation put storage temperature first.
Space and layout Measure the space available and compare it with the model’s external dimensions and usable chilled storage. In a small holiday kitchen, I need enough room for tofu and other groceries, without choosing an appliance that won’t fit in the available space. Around 29% of consumers focus mainly on space and layout.
Portability and power Check the weight, whether AC or DC power is required, and which power cables are included with the model. If I want to use the cooling on the journey and in the holiday home, it needs to be portable and have suitable connections for both. Around 21% of consumers prioritise portability and power.
Energy use and noise For freestanding fridges, compare the energy label and kWh/year. Also check the stated noise level. If the fridge is near the sleeping area, I want to take its energy use and noise into account. Around 14% of consumers prioritise running costs and noise.

Common pitfalls

  • Confusing a fridge setting with a measured temperature

    The number on a dial doesn’t tell you what temperature the tofu will reach. The Voedingscentrum recommends 4 °C and advises checking the temperature with a fridge thermometer.

    Take a reading in the appliance you’ll actually use and adjust it if necessary. The Voedingscentrum advises placing the thermometer in the middle of the bottom shelf and leaving it there for half a day or overnight.

  • Assuming a thermoelectric cool box always reaches a set temperature

    Dometic states that the TropiCool TCX 21 cools to 27 °C below the ambient temperature. This alone doesn’t mean the contents will stay at 4 °C at every ambient temperature.

    Measure the temperature inside the cool box in the conditions in which you’ll be storing the tofu.

  • Comparing only the size of an extra fridge

    Your existing fridge may already be suitable. When buying, the energy label gives you information about energy use; the stated annual consumption and how long you’ll use the appliance also matter.

    First check whether the fridge you have reaches 4 °C and has enough room. Then compare suitable appliances by their energy use and installation dimensions.

Relevant brands

Inventum

Inventum also describes the KK471W, a freestanding fridge without a freezer compartment, as a model for holiday homes.

  • According to Inventum, the KK471W has a capacity of 94 litres, adjustable shelves, three temperature settings and a stated noise level of 39 dB.
  • Check the external dimensions and the actual temperature inside the storage compartment. These specifications apply to this model only, not to all fridges from the brand.

Bosch

Bosch describes the KTR15NWEB as a table-top fridge with 134 litres of chilled storage and no freezer compartment.

  • Bosch states that this model uses 91 kWh per year and has a noise level of 39 dB.
  • Check the climate class and the applicable ambient temperatures for the location where the fridge will be placed.

Beko

The Dutch product information for the TSE1285N lists 101 litres of fresh food storage.

  • Beko states that the TSE1285N is 54 cm wide and has a D energy rating.
  • Check the total appliance capacity and layout separately. The stated fresh food storage capacity doesn’t confirm that the entire appliance is chilled storage.

Dometic

Dometic offers portable electric cool boxes, including compressor and thermoelectric models.

  • According to Dometic, the CFX2 28 has an adjustable temperature and AC and DC connections.
  • Dometic states the TropiCool TCX 21’s cooling performance relative to the ambient temperature. Check with a thermometer whether the contents reach the required storage temperature.

Fridges and cool boxes at Joybuy

This selection includes table-top fridges and portable compressor cool boxes for anyone looking for extra chilled storage or portable cooling. For opened tofu, always use a thermometer to check that the storage compartment reaches 4 °C.

AAOBOSI 65L compressor fridge for portable use

AAOBOSI 65L compressor fridge with app control

A portable option for anyone who wants to take chilled storage on their travels. Check the temperature inside the storage compartment before storing opened tofu in it.

Capacity: 65 litres. The product information lists compressor cooling and app control.

Keep the ventilation openings clear. After transporting the appliance tilted, the product information advises leaving it upright for 6–12 hours before use.

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Bella BKK090.1BE table-top fridge, 88 litres, black

Bella BKK090.1BE table-top fridge, 88 litres

A freestanding fridge for anyone who wants to store other groceries as well as opened tofu. Measure the available space first.

Net chilled capacity: 88 litres. The product information lists three adjustable glass shelves, a salad drawer and three door compartments.

Energy rating E. Place the appliance on a stable surface and keep the ventilation openings clear.

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Bella BKV555-040CW table-top fridge with freezer compartment, 109 litres, white

Bella BKV555-040CW table-top fridge with freezer compartment, 109 litres

A freestanding cooling solution for anyone who also wants a separate freezer compartment. Bear in mind that it takes up space alongside the fridge section.

Total capacity: 109 litres, with 95 litres of chilled storage and a 14-litre freezer compartment. The product information lists adjustable shelves, a salad drawer and door compartments.

Leave enough space for ventilation during installation and use an earthed socket that matches the voltage.

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EUHOMY 40L compressor cool box with AC and DC connections

EUHOMY 40L compressor cool box

A portable choice for anyone who wants to use a cool box on the go and in a fixed location. Check the temperature inside the storage compartment before storing opened tofu in it.

Capacity: 40 litres. The product information lists an adjustable temperature range of −20 °C to +20 °C, app control, and AC and DC connections.

Leave around 10 cm of space around the ventilation openings to allow heat to escape.

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EUHOMY 35L compressor cool box with two baskets

EUHOMY 35L compressor cool box

A portable cool box for anyone who wants to take cooling with them. Check that the connections you need are suitable for use on the go and in your holiday home.

Capacity: 35 litres. The product information lists an adjustable temperature range of −20 °C to +20 °C, two baskets and a removable divider.

Keep the ventilation openings clear. After transporting the appliance tilted, the product information advises leaving it upright for 6–12 hours before switching it on.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How long can you keep opened tofu in the fridge?

The Voedingscentrum advises keeping opened tofu in the fridge for no more than two days. Seal leftovers properly and put them back in the fridge promptly. A new fridge won’t automatically extend this storage period.

How do you check the temperature in your holiday home’s fridge?

The Voedingscentrum advises placing a fridge thermometer in the middle of the bottom shelf and leaving it there for half a day or overnight. Adjust the fridge if the reading is above 4 °C.

What should you consider when installing a fridge?

Compare the exact model’s external dimensions and installation instructions with the space available. Also check the climate class and the ambient temperatures it applies to. Specifications for one model don’t necessarily apply to other fridges.

What do the energy label and statutory guarantee mean in the Netherlands?

The energy label gives you information about an appliance’s energy use. According to the Government of the Netherlands, there’s no fixed statutory guarantee period in the Netherlands; if a product is faulty, the seller must provide a solution.

Is a thermoelectric cool box automatically suitable for opened tofu?

No, not without checking the temperature inside the cool box. Dometic states the TropiCool TCX 21’s cooling performance relative to the ambient temperature. Only use the cool box for opened tofu if a measurement in the actual conditions confirms that the storage compartment stays at 4 °C.