decent cooler?

[lncoop]

Does anyone make a decent cooler that you won't have to pawn your kid to pay for? I don't mind paying up for quality, but I can't really afford a Yeti or Engel. Are there any others that hold ice well for a couple of days? I understand the limits of an ice chest, but there's got to be something out there. Thoughts?

 

[rbh]

Re: decent cooler?

Good old coleman camping supplies, we use the three day? and the ice does last about three days, as long as you have some block ice.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: decent cooler?

Good old coleman camping supplies, we use the three day? and the ice does last about three days, as long as you have some block ice.

I'll second that. Buy a Coleman. Use block ice. If it says it's a 5 day cooler, you'll get 3 days no problem. Mine does (I have the Xtreme 5 day cooler on wheels). And they're not overly expensive.

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/ColemanCom/subcategory.asp?CategoryID=8581

I

 

[ifallsguy]

Re: decent cooler?

These are the best on the market, though they cost a little more.

http://www.yeticoolers.com/

 

[redone4x4]

Re: decent cooler?

I use a coleman, but we always keep a wet towel draped over the top of it as much as possible. That really seems to help. We boat out in 100+ degree weather too. Just a thought, maybe try it with the one you have now. I really like the igloo white marine coolers but they are almost $100 If i recall so i've never had one.

 

[DJ]

Re: decent cooler?

My Colemans do just fine here in 100 degree + heat. Keep them out of direct sun and I second the idea of a damp towel over them.

 

[woosterken]

Re: decent cooler?

i have a 50 qt. igloo maxcool from wally mart for $25
what i do is freeze a couple milk jugs of water, like others say keep a wet towel over it
it last about 3 or 4 days.
and when the jugs start to melt you have extra water.
i also have a smaller one for just drinks , that way you are not opening the big one all the time.

woosterken

 

[rbh]

Re: decent cooler?

i have a 50 qt. igloo maxcool from wally mart for $25
what i do is freeze a couple milk jugs of water, like others say keep a wet towel over it
it last about 3 or 4 days.
and when the jugs start to melt you have extra water.
i also have a smaller one for just drinks , that way you are not opening the big one all the time.

woosterken

Ken makes a great point, If you are out camping get one for parishable foods that does'nt have to be opened all the time, and one for refreshments pop, beer ETC

 

[roscoe]

Re: decent cooler?

You need to start with cool cooler.

An lots of -10* ice, not the +15* ice you buy at the fuel station.

Follow the directions on the cooler, it says 1/3 to 1/2 of the cooler must be filled with ice.

Add cold beverages and food, nothing warm!

Keep the cooler out of the sun, preferably covered with anything that will insulate it.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: decent cooler?

Coleman works well for us. Having said that when we are camping the beer never gets a chance to warm up !!!
Boating is a different matter though......stay sober till the day is over
Shade, really cold ice and as much insulation as you can over the cooler itself.

 

[NoKlu]

Re: decent cooler?

Go to a garage sale and get any hollow wall cooler that looks good. Drill holes in the walls and inject foam in the walls of the cooler. Do the same to the lid. Make sure you have holes to let the extra foam out as it will blow apart the cooler if there is no way to escape. This will greatly improve the performance of the cheap coolers. This works really well with the small lunch coolers and on a hot day an ice pack will stay frozen all day.

 

[gjm700]

Re: decent cooler?

+ Coleman

 

[dingbat]

Re: decent cooler?

We participate in a lot of surf fishing tournaments. Circumstances may dictate that we don?t come in off the beach for 3-4 days at a time.

We use a pair of Coleman Marine coolers. Only cooler we?ve found that hold up to the constant UV exposure. We use a 96 qt. for food and drink and a 72 qt. for bait and fish. We use dry ice if available.

 

[lncoop]

Re: decent cooler?

Great input. Thanks everyone. I'm pretty good about following the "cooler rules", but I never thought of the wet towel trick. Pretty sure I'll be able to locate one or more of those on the boat. I'll start doing that.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: decent cooler?

Great input. Thanks everyone. I'm pretty good about following the "cooler rules", but I never thought of the wet towel trick. Pretty sure I'll be able to locate one or more of those on the boat. I'll start doing that.

yep, i was on a cooler quest as you were a few years ago then my dad told me that trick. That, along with a block of ice in the cooler and your good to go. then I only have to add 1 bag for every additional day we are on the boat. And at that sometimes i dont have to but its only like 2 bucks.

 

[JRJ]

Re: decent cooler?

Great input. Thanks everyone. I'm pretty good about following the "cooler rules", but I never thought of the wet towel trick. Pretty sure I'll be able to locate one or more of those on the boat. I'll start doing that.

A sleeping bag insulates even better. Have fun.

 

[WizeOne]

Re: decent cooler?

These are supposed to be real good. Made for the hot outback. Only problem is they don't distribute over here.

http://www.tropicaliceboxes.com/tropical/profile.php

 

[fishrdan]

Re: decent cooler?

I like red's wet towel suggestion, I'll have to do that next time.

I use Coleman 5 day coolers and they work great if kept out of direct sun light. I make my own block ice out of 1/2 gallon juice bottles (kids). Cut the bottle off with a utility knife and you are good to go, a couple of them fit into the bottom of the cooler real nice. We also freeze water bottles to help keep the drink cooler cold, then use them at the end of the day.

If you have a cooler that needs to be kept cold and will not be opened often, Use some 2" blue painters tape to seal the lid gap. I use 4 pieces so they can be easily removed and stuck to the cooler (to get items out of the cooler), then reapplied to seal the lid gap again.

 

[dingbat]

Re: decent cooler?

Great input. Thanks everyone. I'm pretty good about following the "cooler rules", but I never thought of the wet towel trick. Pretty sure I'll be able to locate one or more of those on the boat. I'll start doing that.

A wet towel will be counterproductive. Water is a very good at absorbing and transferring heat. Air has very little capacity to store or transfer heat. You would be much better off with a white cooler covered with a dry white cloth.

 

[Titanty]

Re: decent cooler?

I use a coleman, but we always keep a wet towel draped over the top of it as much as possible. That really seems to help. We boat out in 100+ degree weather too. Just a thought, maybe try it with the one you have now. I really like the igloo white marine coolers but they are almost $100 If i recall so i've never had one.

Look at an Ollie's store if you have one near. I just picked up a $100 Igloo for $32!!!

Used it for a camping trip last weekend and it was great. Heavy as can be when loaded. Get a friend to help move it.