How a Portable Refrigerator Made a Staff Member’s Weekend Shopping Easier
The story began with the “just right size.” It had been some time since PowerArQ’s portable refrigerator, “ICEBERG 12L,” was released. A development staff member became quite fond of its 12L capacity and size, continuing to use it at home even after its launch.
They used it next to their desk in refrigerator mode to chill drinks and beer. Although originally designed for camping and car travel, it served as a sub-refrigerator at home, with its switch turned on daily by the desk.
One weekend, the staff member took the ICEBERG from their desk and loaded it into their car. Their destination was a certain membership-based warehouse store where they did bulk shopping once a month, filling their cart to the brim. On this particular day, their shopping list included items like ice cream and frozen foods, which would typically be a concern with a regular cooler bag.
This is where the ICEBERG proved invaluable. Since it was already chilling drinks daily, the switch was already on, and the interior was perfectly cold. The ICEBERG allows users to switch between refrigeration and freezing modes with a single button, so on this day, it was simply switched to freezer mode before heading to the store. With a freezing performance that can reach a minimum of -20℃, it could thoroughly chill items while driving. There was no need for new setup. If not for the ICEBERG, they would have had to head straight home to prevent melting. However, on this day, they were able to stop at a cafe and a general store requested by their partner, enjoying a leisurely day. Naturally, when they opened the ice cream at home, it was still perfectly frozen.
The Experience of Fully Utilizing a Sub-Refrigerator
A product cherished as a home sub-refrigerator had, without them realizing it, become a weekend shopping companion. Although initially launched as an “outdoor” or “in-car” product, the developer found themselves using it in an unexpected way.
Reflecting on it, by keeping it in refrigerator mode from weekdays, there’s no need to wait for it to cool down when it’s needed on the weekend. This proved to be a surprisingly significant point. Portable refrigerators are often perceived as something to be turned on only when in use, but integrating them into daily life expands their utility. This might be a usage that lies precisely on the boundary between a household appliance and an outdoor gear item.
How Your Weekend Shopping Can Transform
Before leaving, load the ICEBERG into your car and switch it to freezer mode. Leave the ICEBERG in the car while you enter the store, then, as you push your cart, freely add frozen items to your basket. Ice cream, frozen pizza, convenient frozen vegetables for meal prep – you can now choose items you might have previously skipped due to a long drive home.
After checking out and returning to your car, simply store your purchases in the ICEBERG. It can be powered via a car’s cigarette lighter socket, or with an optional dedicated battery, eliminating power concerns even when left in the car. If the engine is turned off during shopping, there’s no need to worry about the battery for short parking durations.
Since it remains in freezer mode, detours on the way home are no problem. Whether picking up dry cleaning or attending an evening engagement, even with stops, the ice cream will be rock-hard and the meat thoroughly frozen when you arrive home. Weekend bulk shopping becomes significantly more relaxed.
For Camp Nights and Saturday Afternoons
On weekends, load it into your car for the campsite. On shopping days, use it in the store parking lot. On weekdays, use it as a sub-refrigerator at home. The location may differ, but the action remains the same: put items in, and press the switch. That’s all. Of course, for some purposes, a larger refrigerator might be better, but the 12L size was found to be just right in this experience.
Start by purchasing your favorite frozen ice cream at a convenience store. Your weekend might just change a little.
Product Overview
Portable Refrigerator ICEBERG 12L (Iceberg 12 Liter)
The smallest “12L model” in the popular ICEBERG portable refrigerator series.
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Cools down to -20℃, excellent usability with external battery support.
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Capacity: 12L
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Color: Coyote Tan
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Power Consumption: MAX 45W / ECO 35W
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Size: 388×248×447 mm
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Weight: 8.28kg
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Price: ¥27,500 (tax included)
Brand Overview
‘PowerArQ’ / Outdoor Goods Brand
Add Your Style to Adventure
Camping with carefully selected gear.
Enjoying the outdoors with friends and family.
Stepping away from daily life, appreciating nature,
and creating unique spaces and memories.
Whether it’s a new place or a familiar one,
you can spend your own special time.
Adventure is valuable.
Now, let’s run together.
Contact for this release:
G.O. Holdings Inc. Public Relations
E-mail: press@go-hd.jp
