<p>DS is in a very small double and will be bringing a mini fridge, which will most likely be shared with a roommate. DS is diabetic and will need to store his insulin in it, so the temperature needs to stay 36-46 degrees. He's bringing a small refrigerator thermometer. My concern is that the small mini fridges can easily freeze their contents...depending on how much is in it, how often the door is opened, and most importantly, the ambient room temperature. He can't afford the risk of his insulin freezing as it will be ruined.</p>
<p>He will be at Purdue in a room that is <strong>not</strong> air conditioned. </p>
<p>Should I look at the small units with compressors or the non-compressor "coolers" fridges? Anybody know how each will work in a very warm room for the first couple months?</p>
<p>I don’t know anything about types of fridges, but I would probably advise NOT sharing the fridge with the roomie because of the stability of the meds. </p>
<p>There are often dials in those mini fridges, and often the highest number will freeze stuff that gets shoved to the back or moved on top. </p>
<p>I don’t think I would trust a roomie not to inadvertently shove the meds to an area that would freeze…or trust a roomie’s visitor from doing so. </p>
<p>Also…my niece keeps her insulin in some kind of container that protects it from temp changes in the fridge. It’s kind of a thermal box that keeps the contents at a more even temp.</p>
<p>I would suggest buying one ASAP and getting a thermometer and trying it out in various circumstances…full, half full, empty, etc…</p>
<p>Agree…don’t share the fridge. It’s not that unusual. Both D’s were with roommates—each had their own fridge…and there weren’t any medical issues for it. Everyone wanted their own stuff and everyone’s fridges were always full. You can put it under your desk or use as a nightstand, so they don’t take up that much space. In one room, they actually stacked the refrigerators.</p>
<p>I would certainly advise the health department at your sons school. Maybe they can help him store his meds. Maybe the health can hold his back-up insulin.</p>
<p>I don’t think a mini fridge is big enough for 2 people. S and roommate stacked two of them with no problem.</p>
<p>I’d suggest the actual fridge, not the newer “coolers”. We inadvertantly bought one of those and promptly returned it. It doesn’t keep stuff cold at all. Several previous cc posts indicated others had the same problem.</p>
<p>We bought a GE mini-refrigerator with a small separate freezer on top for my son last year. The refrigerator kept things cold but did not freeze anything. S was diagnosed with diabetes 1 during spring break and had to keep his insulin in the refrig. which he shared with his roommate. Roommate had it full (S hardly ever used it before then) but sharing it was not an issue. Good luck to your S at Purdue.</p>
<p>If you have not already gotten in touch with Purdue’s office for students with disabilities & other health issues, do it now! They need to inform the RA on the flloor there is a diabetic, in case of emergencies.</p>
<p>I would go to Sears’ website & check out the various small fridges; some of them are bigger and/or better than others.</p>