Buying Coolers 101
Chances are you may already have a cooler or two in your stable. But it you’re like me you could always use or sometimes need another one at times. So if you’re looking or searching for specific information that will help you make an informed choice you may have chosen the right link. Consider the importance of all the gear you take on any boating, fishing, hunting or camping trip. Where does the cooler rank on this list? Obviously, coolers are essential for all your outdoor activities and adventures. There are plenty of choices available on the market to choose from. For simplicity we'll break down the buying decision into two all encompassing questions.
What type, size and capacity cooler do I need?
The capacity of a cooler is measured in its capacity in quarts. Coolers come in a range of sizes from 16 quarts to 400+ quarts. So in order to give you a better idea of how much volume this is, the capacity in 12-ounce cans is also usually given. On average a 8-quart cooler will hold 10 cans plus ice, while an 80-quart cooler will hold 106 cans plus ice. Remember that items like jars and fruit will not pack nearly as neatly as cans will. For day trips for one or two people, the recommend size could be less than 30 quarts. For family outings, an 80-quart or larger cooler usually would be more appropriate.
Also when considering sizes, it's best to think of all potential long term needs. Think about every type of use, not just your short-term ones. What about that week long hunting or fishing trip you someday plan to take? The extra capacity of the bigger coolers would be a relief when you find out how much you'll be transporting home afterward's. Hard-core hunters and fisherman who could spend extended periods in remote areas should seriously consider the larger coolers that are available to them. You just never really know how successful of an outing you really could experience.
Also for many outdoor enthusiasts it’s usually best to have several choices of coolers readily available to cover all the bases, have one small or medium-sized cooler for weekend trips and another larger-capacity cooler or two for extended outings. Having more than one cooler available is also ideal for those hot summer days. One of which would could be used for often needed items such as beverages. The other cooler can then be used for food for meals, and only opened two to three times a day. When a cooler is repeatedly opened, the inside air that has been cooled escapes, and is replaced with warmer air, melting more and more of the ice every time its opened. Minimizing how often the cooler is opened will allow your ice, food, and drinks to keep much longer.
On weekend outdoor situations of two to three people, a 50- to 60-quart cooler should be sufficient to store all the food and drinks you'll need. For day trips, consider a cooler smaller than 40 quarts. It’s also best to keep the size of the cooler to a minimum as dictated by your needs. If the cooler is packed close to capacity, it will stay colder and keep better. Having too much free airspace in the cooler allows the temperature to rise more rapidly and excessive ice melt.
Here's a quick rundown of the coolers on the market with some of the advantages and disadvantages of each one.
Soft-sided (Collapsible) coolers:
Intended use: Soft-sided nylon coolers are also often used to carry lunch to work or school and are light and convenient for day outings. The main drawbacks of soft-sided coolers are their lack of durable rigidity and lowered cooling efficiency, but I’ve found them to be extremely handy to have around for replenishment's. I like to keep a midsized one around in case someone’s going to town or the marina and I’m in need of something myself. Most folks won’t mind picking up some ice, drinks or whatever if you send along a cooler they can pack it back in. And collapsible coolers can be folded flat and stowed away obstructively under a seat in the boat, truck, or whatever until needed.
Hard sided coolers:
These are the most popular coolers and the workhorses in the outdoor industry. They can be further broken down into traditional steel, stainless steel, and plastic models. Metal coolers are known for being nearly indestructible and are unfortunately, a hefty weighty handicap when compared with their lighter plastic counterparts. Coleman Steel Coolers were originally manufactured from 1954 to 1994 and have been brought back into production to appease customers who loved the sleek looks and five-generation-heirloom longevity. If you desire the same, the metal coolers are made for you. One thing to bear in mind though, Metal absorbs and retains the heat longer than plastic. If you leave a metal cooler sitting in the sun, the metal will warm up and retain its warmth long after you move it to a shaded location. This is one of the reasons for the overwhelming popularity of plastic coolers.
In recent years plastic coolers have been vastly improved by advancements in insulation and the lid sealing efficiency. Most coolers are now insulated with high-density foam and the higher the density, the higher its overall ability to hold and retain ice. Coolers like the Coleman Extreme and the Max Cool series from Igloo are among the best thermal-efficient coolers available on the market today. They’ve been tested to support claims that their best coolers will keep ice for up to six days in 90° heat. In any of my own experiences, I’ve yet to get any coolers that will keep ice that well in real world applications. But these are still the best choices available for cost and general usage, and they do hold ice real well, but six days is somewhat of exaggeration in my honest opinion.
Should you decide to go with a hard sided cooler, there are some additional considerations to consider before your purchase. Check to see if the lid is insulated (some aren’t) and the lid fits good and snug. Models skimping on or lacking such features will not compete or hold ice as well as models that do. Consider models with built-in wheels and oversized handles making transport much easier. Your back will thank you when it comes time to move it fully loaded. Another beneficial feature to look for and is usually found on most coolers is a drain plug to quickly empty the melted ice water.
Thermo-Electric Coolers:
Electric coolers are for those who have access to a power supply and want to eliminate the inconvenience of dealing with ice to keep things cold.An electric cooler, such as many midsized 12-volt models are ideal for situations where your vehicle will power the cooler to keep food and beverages chilled on long drives. Almost all 12-volt coolers also can be converted to work in an ordinary 110-volt AC wall socket like those found in a cabin, lodge or motel, some come with the AC adapter included on others it’s a separately sold item.
The obvious problem with this type of cooler is that once the power source lost so is its ability to cool anything. Just how long an electric cooler can keep its contents cool when not connected to a power source depends on environmental conditions such as the ambient temperature, how full the cooler is and how often you’re opening the lid. Electric coolers are well-insulated and should keep their contents cool for a few hours in the absence of electricity, but it depends on how warm the actual ambient temperature is.
The temperature on most electric coolers cannot be controlled or set to an exact number. They can only be set to cool and, some models will actually warm. Instead most say they will cool to 40° below the ambient temperature. This means that if you keep the cooler in a 75° air-conditioned house the inside of the cooler can get as low as 35° however, if the cooler is outside in 90° weather it will only get as low as 50°. The warming ability can be ideal for keeping foods warm, but it’s also in the ideal range for potential bacteria growth. Give serious consideration before keeping food at this temperature range for any real length of time.
The fridge/freezer models are more powerful than the standard coolers and can reach far lower temperatures in the same ambient air temperatures because they use compressor cooling rather than thermoelectric cooling. However these models are less than ideal when space and available power are both limited.
Tips and Advice:
Here are some tips how to maximize the efficiency of any cooler or coolers you may have.
Whenever possible, pre-chill everything before placing them into the cooler. Think of it this way it takes a pound and half of ice just to cool down a gallon of room-temperature liquid. Having it already cold ensures the ice will last much longer. It is also not a bad idea to pre-chill the cooler itself by placing some ice inside an hour or so before you load it.
Put your ice in last cold air and melting ice always travels down. For your beverage only coolers load cans and bottles first and then cover with ice.
Using crushed, block, or cubed ice? Crushed ice cools food and drinks faster however, block ice will last a lot longer. Freezing drinking water or juices in clean milk jugs at home beforehand is an excellent alternative to the bulk of block ice. This will keep foods cold and provide a source of cold beverages and fresh water as the jugs thaw.
Pack foods in chronological order by placing foods that will be consumed last on the bottom, keeping first used and often needed items on top. Store all perishable items such as meat, dairy products and mayonnaise in direct contact with the ice. Keep foods dry by using sealed plastic containers or zip closure plastic bags.
Store coolers out of the direct sun and your ice will last a lot longer. To keep warm air out and cold air in only open the lid only when necessary and close it right away. While traveling pack picnic blankets, sleeping bags or clothing around the coolers to insulate them even more.
Don't drain all the cold water from freshly melted ice it helps keep the contents cold almost as well as ice and the cold water will preserve the remaining ice much better than air. Only drain the water off when necessary for removal of cooler contents or adding more ice.
What type, size and capacity cooler do I need?
The capacity of a cooler is measured in its capacity in quarts. Coolers come in a range of sizes from 16 quarts to 400+ quarts. So in order to give you a better idea of how much volume this is, the capacity in 12-ounce cans is also usually given. On average a 8-quart cooler will hold 10 cans plus ice, while an 80-quart cooler will hold 106 cans plus ice. Remember that items like jars and fruit will not pack nearly as neatly as cans will. For day trips for one or two people, the recommend size could be less than 30 quarts. For family outings, an 80-quart or larger cooler usually would be more appropriate.
Also when considering sizes, it's best to think of all potential long term needs. Think about every type of use, not just your short-term ones. What about that week long hunting or fishing trip you someday plan to take? The extra capacity of the bigger coolers would be a relief when you find out how much you'll be transporting home afterward's. Hard-core hunters and fisherman who could spend extended periods in remote areas should seriously consider the larger coolers that are available to them. You just never really know how successful of an outing you really could experience.
Also for many outdoor enthusiasts it’s usually best to have several choices of coolers readily available to cover all the bases, have one small or medium-sized cooler for weekend trips and another larger-capacity cooler or two for extended outings. Having more than one cooler available is also ideal for those hot summer days. One of which would could be used for often needed items such as beverages. The other cooler can then be used for food for meals, and only opened two to three times a day. When a cooler is repeatedly opened, the inside air that has been cooled escapes, and is replaced with warmer air, melting more and more of the ice every time its opened. Minimizing how often the cooler is opened will allow your ice, food, and drinks to keep much longer.
On weekend outdoor situations of two to three people, a 50- to 60-quart cooler should be sufficient to store all the food and drinks you'll need. For day trips, consider a cooler smaller than 40 quarts. It’s also best to keep the size of the cooler to a minimum as dictated by your needs. If the cooler is packed close to capacity, it will stay colder and keep better. Having too much free airspace in the cooler allows the temperature to rise more rapidly and excessive ice melt.
Here's a quick rundown of the coolers on the market with some of the advantages and disadvantages of each one.
Soft-sided (Collapsible) coolers:
Intended use: Soft-sided nylon coolers are also often used to carry lunch to work or school and are light and convenient for day outings. The main drawbacks of soft-sided coolers are their lack of durable rigidity and lowered cooling efficiency, but I’ve found them to be extremely handy to have around for replenishment's. I like to keep a midsized one around in case someone’s going to town or the marina and I’m in need of something myself. Most folks won’t mind picking up some ice, drinks or whatever if you send along a cooler they can pack it back in. And collapsible coolers can be folded flat and stowed away obstructively under a seat in the boat, truck, or whatever until needed.
Hard sided coolers:
These are the most popular coolers and the workhorses in the outdoor industry. They can be further broken down into traditional steel, stainless steel, and plastic models. Metal coolers are known for being nearly indestructible and are unfortunately, a hefty weighty handicap when compared with their lighter plastic counterparts. Coleman Steel Coolers were originally manufactured from 1954 to 1994 and have been brought back into production to appease customers who loved the sleek looks and five-generation-heirloom longevity. If you desire the same, the metal coolers are made for you. One thing to bear in mind though, Metal absorbs and retains the heat longer than plastic. If you leave a metal cooler sitting in the sun, the metal will warm up and retain its warmth long after you move it to a shaded location. This is one of the reasons for the overwhelming popularity of plastic coolers.
In recent years plastic coolers have been vastly improved by advancements in insulation and the lid sealing efficiency. Most coolers are now insulated with high-density foam and the higher the density, the higher its overall ability to hold and retain ice. Coolers like the Coleman Extreme and the Max Cool series from Igloo are among the best thermal-efficient coolers available on the market today. They’ve been tested to support claims that their best coolers will keep ice for up to six days in 90° heat. In any of my own experiences, I’ve yet to get any coolers that will keep ice that well in real world applications. But these are still the best choices available for cost and general usage, and they do hold ice real well, but six days is somewhat of exaggeration in my honest opinion.
Should you decide to go with a hard sided cooler, there are some additional considerations to consider before your purchase. Check to see if the lid is insulated (some aren’t) and the lid fits good and snug. Models skimping on or lacking such features will not compete or hold ice as well as models that do. Consider models with built-in wheels and oversized handles making transport much easier. Your back will thank you when it comes time to move it fully loaded. Another beneficial feature to look for and is usually found on most coolers is a drain plug to quickly empty the melted ice water.
Thermo-Electric Coolers:
Electric coolers are for those who have access to a power supply and want to eliminate the inconvenience of dealing with ice to keep things cold.An electric cooler, such as many midsized 12-volt models are ideal for situations where your vehicle will power the cooler to keep food and beverages chilled on long drives. Almost all 12-volt coolers also can be converted to work in an ordinary 110-volt AC wall socket like those found in a cabin, lodge or motel, some come with the AC adapter included on others it’s a separately sold item.
The obvious problem with this type of cooler is that once the power source lost so is its ability to cool anything. Just how long an electric cooler can keep its contents cool when not connected to a power source depends on environmental conditions such as the ambient temperature, how full the cooler is and how often you’re opening the lid. Electric coolers are well-insulated and should keep their contents cool for a few hours in the absence of electricity, but it depends on how warm the actual ambient temperature is.
The temperature on most electric coolers cannot be controlled or set to an exact number. They can only be set to cool and, some models will actually warm. Instead most say they will cool to 40° below the ambient temperature. This means that if you keep the cooler in a 75° air-conditioned house the inside of the cooler can get as low as 35° however, if the cooler is outside in 90° weather it will only get as low as 50°. The warming ability can be ideal for keeping foods warm, but it’s also in the ideal range for potential bacteria growth. Give serious consideration before keeping food at this temperature range for any real length of time.
The fridge/freezer models are more powerful than the standard coolers and can reach far lower temperatures in the same ambient air temperatures because they use compressor cooling rather than thermoelectric cooling. However these models are less than ideal when space and available power are both limited.
Tips and Advice:
Here are some tips how to maximize the efficiency of any cooler or coolers you may have.
Whenever possible, pre-chill everything before placing them into the cooler. Think of it this way it takes a pound and half of ice just to cool down a gallon of room-temperature liquid. Having it already cold ensures the ice will last much longer. It is also not a bad idea to pre-chill the cooler itself by placing some ice inside an hour or so before you load it.
Put your ice in last cold air and melting ice always travels down. For your beverage only coolers load cans and bottles first and then cover with ice.
Using crushed, block, or cubed ice? Crushed ice cools food and drinks faster however, block ice will last a lot longer. Freezing drinking water or juices in clean milk jugs at home beforehand is an excellent alternative to the bulk of block ice. This will keep foods cold and provide a source of cold beverages and fresh water as the jugs thaw.
Pack foods in chronological order by placing foods that will be consumed last on the bottom, keeping first used and often needed items on top. Store all perishable items such as meat, dairy products and mayonnaise in direct contact with the ice. Keep foods dry by using sealed plastic containers or zip closure plastic bags.
Store coolers out of the direct sun and your ice will last a lot longer. To keep warm air out and cold air in only open the lid only when necessary and close it right away. While traveling pack picnic blankets, sleeping bags or clothing around the coolers to insulate them even more.
Don't drain all the cold water from freshly melted ice it helps keep the contents cold almost as well as ice and the cold water will preserve the remaining ice much better than air. Only drain the water off when necessary for removal of cooler contents or adding more ice.
Posted by blog.houseboatodyssey1.com at 1/31/2010 4:52 PM 
Categories: Buying Tips, Accessories, Various 101's, Camping
Tags: Coleman buying cooler boating Igloo
Categories: Buying Tips, Accessories, Various 101's, Camping
Tags: Coleman buying cooler boating Igloo
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