How to Pick & Pack a New Cooler

3 days ago 21

The Art of the Chill: Master Your Cooler Game We have a hodgepodge assortment of coolers in my basement, accumulated with absolutely no curation or expertise. We have one high-end soft-sided cooler which was given to us by friends who... The post How to Pick & Pack a New Cooler appeared first on Sharp Eye.

The Art of the Chill: Master Your Cooler Game

We have a hodgepodge assortment of coolers in my basement, accumulated with absolutely no curation or expertise. We have one high-end soft-sided cooler which was given to us by friends who clearly knew what they were doing, and it’s a fantastic cooler. After researching this article, I’m going to test my coolers (all except the Yeti) and replace the ones that are not up to the job. Here is what I will consider when replacing the duds.

How to pick a cooler:

Determining size – How do you use your coolers?

If you are bringing food and drinks to and from day trips like team dinners, athletic events, beach outings, picnics, a 15-25 quart cooler is usually recommended for a small group.
For longer weekend destinations like camping or overnight boating for a small group, a 45-60 quart cooler is usually recommended.
For extended trips or larger groups, a 75 quart or larger cooler is recommended, just make sure it will fit in your car, you can lift it when it’s full, and you have a place to store it when it’s not in use.

Note: In determining size, also consider the shapes and sizes of the items you tend to bring: Bulky items will take up more space, and some items are easier to stack than others.

What type of cooler do you like?

Hard-sided coolers have superior ice retention and durability and are suitable for longer trips and rougher conditions. Consider roto-molded coolers: Those are a type of hard-sided cooler made using a rotation molding process which results in a durable, seamless, one-piece construction with thick, even walls. These are generally more durable and better insulated than other types.
Soft-sided coolers are lighter and more portable, good for day trips, and easy to carry. Consider coated exteriors on soft coolers: This helps with water resistance and prevents punctures or tears.
Wheeled coolers are useful for transporting heavier loads, especially on smooth surfaces, but are also helpful on gravel or uneven surfaces.
Backpack coolers give you hands-free carrying and are good for activities like hiking or biking.

Other cooler details to factor in:

If you like to bring ice, thick insulation is best for longer ice retention: Aim for 2-4 inches of insulation, with thicker being better for longer durations. Cooler insulation materials have improved dramatically in the last several years.

Seals and latches: Tight seals (like gasket seals) are crucial for keeping cold air in and warm air out.

Drainage system: A good drain makes it easier to empty melted ice and clean the cooler.

Other features: Many coolers offer things like bottle openers, cup holders, dry storage compartments, and exterior pockets.

Cooler color: White coolers reflect heat better and can help retain ice longer than darker colors.

Ease of cleaning: A cooler that’s easy to clean will save you time and hassle.

Click here for a cooler quiz to help you determine what cooler is best for you.

How to pack a cooler:

Before packing your cooler, pre-chill it at least 20 minutes before you start packing it. Fill the cooler about halfway with ice or freezer packs.

Pre-chill all the drinks and food you will pack in your cooler. Nothing should go into the cooler at room temperature. This will preserve any ice you want to use, or freezer packs you add to keep the contents cool.

If using ice cubes, keep food away from melting ice by putting food into plastic containers or plastic bags.

To save space, prepare as much of the food as possible. For example, make the sandwiches ahead of time so you aren’t bringing jars of mayo and mustard etc.

There should be a layer of cold on the bottom. This can be a block of ice or freezer packs.
Then put any bottles into cooler flat and put food on top.
Fill the space between with loose ice cubes and cold cans.
Fruit and vegetables should be in a plastic container, so they don’t get mushed.
All other food can go in plastic bags on top.

Consider purchasing reusable freezer sheets to put in between layers of food. If you don’t need the ice cubes, sometimes using a few freezer sheets and your bottom layer of freezer packs will keep your food and drinks cold enough for a few days.

Consider having a separate smaller cooler only for drinks. It will cut down on the number of times the larger cooler is opened and will reduce some of the weight of the larger cooler.