How to choose the right cooler when camping?
Camping coolers are one of the most versatile pieces of outdoor equipment. Whether it's storing food for a week-long car camping trip or keeping drinks cold for a backyard barbecue, our coolers are the equipment we use the most.
While coolers are easy to find, their function and cost vary greatly. It pays to take the time to pick the cooler with the most important features, because a durable cooler can (and should) last for decades.
What are the different types of camping coolers?
You can choose from hard-sided coolers and soft-sided coolers. Hard-sided coolers are basically those traditional coolers that are constructed using heavy-duty materials, are rugged, and will last for years. Since hard sided coolers are designed using heavy duty materials, they are really heavy and a bit difficult to carry around. This type of cooler is perfect for long holiday trips or week-long vacations, as these coolers are actually very well insulated and you will definitely find that your food and drinks can be kept cold for days, sometimes even a week.
On the other hand, soft-sided coolers are designed with lighter materials and are therefore easy to carry. The materials used in their design create an extremely rough surface which makes them resistant to tears and to cuts and scratches. Due to the portability, these coolers do not have a huge storage space. For people who often go out camping for a few days, soft-sided coolers are the right choice for them. They come with a shoulder strap that makes them very easy to carry, plus they have amazing insulating capabilities that can keep the ice cold for up to 48 hours. Another thing worth mentioning is their space-saving design. Today's best soft-sided coolers can be easily folded when not in use, thus saving space for other items.
How to choose the best camping cooler?
Durability
The construction of the cooler is the first thing you need to consider. A well-built and sturdy cooler will last for years, while you can't predict the life span of those cheaply designed coolers. Today's best camping coolers are designed with a rotomolding process, which is what makes them strong, durable and tough.
On top of that, these coolers can withstand any abuse and stay frozen for longer. The construction of the cooler also affects the insulation capacity of these coolers. Rotomolded coolers are said to have the best insulating ability and on top of that, high quality gaskets and heavy duty latches create a strong seal that won't allow cold air to escape. So, before you buy one, make sure you look at the construction of the cooler to see how durable these coolers are.
Another important consideration you must take into account is the easiest way to transport this cooler from one place to another, especially if it is filled with food and beverages. Hard-sided coolers are quite heavy, even if they don't have anything stored inside, and when they are loaded to the edge, transporting them from your car to your campsite becomes quite heavy. Unless the cooler has wheels, it takes at least two people to carry it.
Some of the best coolers now come with wheels, which means you can easily take them to the party site without any struggle. While some models include small wheels, you will be able to find coolers with sturdy wheels that can be mounted on any terrain. Well, sometimes the wheels won't do much. At some point, you will need to lift these coolers to bring them downstairs or load them into the car. At that point you will rely on the handle to provide you with a great grip so you can easily lift it and take it places.
Basic Functionality
To retain ice, most coolers now come with a myriad of amazing features that can sometimes be helpful. Some coolers come with a built-in bottle opener, which means you don't have to carry an extra bottle opener. On top of that, you'll find a removable tray that lets you separate dry goods from beverages.
The presence of an internal basket will keep items well packed and give you easy access to food and beverages. In some coolers, you will find cup holders and they really add to your comfort. Well, you should always check out the additional features that you get with this cooler.
Types of coolers
Hard-sided coolers are designed with heavy-duty materials, so these coolers are difficult to carry. On the other hand, soft-sided coolers use lighter fabrics that are perfect for people who are out camping for a few days. These coolers are easy to carry as they come with shoulder straps. In terms of ice retention, you can expect excellent ice retention from hard-sided coolers. So, depending on the type of cooler you need, you can choose accordingly.
How can I maximize the insulation capacity of my camping cooler?
Regardless of the type of cooler you intend to purchase, you can expand the insulation capacity of these coolers by implementing these tips. These tips will ensure that you improve the cooling performance of these coolers.
The first thing you'll want to do is pre-cool your cooler. Most of us don't use them until we're planning a weekend away, at which point we'll leave them in the garage or attic somewhere. So the idea is to make that cooler and leave it open for the day so it can dissipate the heat it's built up while it's sitting idle. In addition to this, you can also use "sacrifice bags" to cool the freezer. Doing so will mean you will be freezing for longer.
Everything you put in the freezer should be refrigerated the day before you leave. It's a good idea to use frozen foods that you plan to eat later in the trip. Pre-chilling your contents will mean that these items will stay cooler for a longer period of time.
Replace regular ice with dry ice only if your cooler is compatible with dry ice. Dry ice won't melt as quickly, which means your food will stay colder for longer. With today's best rotomolded coolers compatible with dry ice, you can actually keep your drinks and beverages colder for longer. If your cooler is not compatible with dry ice, it's best to use reusable ice packs, which will save you the cost of buying ice over and over again. On top of that, they are non-toxic to use. Therefore, replacing regular ice with these alternatives can improve the cooling performance of your cooler.
Needless to say, the UV rays of the sun can negatively affect the cooling performance of your cooler and when you expose your beverages to the sun continuously, you will definitely find them to be warm. We often overlook this matter and find that our beverages get warmer and warmer over time. Therefore, make sure you keep your cooler in the shade and out of the sun. Also, make sure you keep its surface from getting hot, as it can affect the food and drinks at the bottom. Placing the cooler on a pile of grass will prevent it from being placed on sand.
This may sound like an obvious tip, but we tend to forget everything in the excitement of camping. Whether you are digging out food or anything else, be sure to limit the opening of lids. More importantly remember, don't let your kids wander around and play with it in the cooler areas. You never know when he'll open the lid and it will cause the ice to melt prematurely. Also, make sure you open the lid enough to bring the drink out. This will not allow cold air to escape through the cooler, nor will it draw in hot air inside the freezer.
Can I keep dry ice in the freezer?
Dry ice is handy for people planning long camping trips. This type of ice remains unmelted for at least 12-24 hours. Well, that means your food and drinks will get cold.
Not every cooler is compatible with dry ice. You should know if your cooler is compatible with dry ice. If it is not compatible with dry ice, make sure you avoid using it. Putting dry ice in a cooler that is not compatible with dry ice can damage the inner layer, which can completely destroy the efficiency of the cooler's thermal insulation.
What do you plan to use the cooler for?
What you plan to do with your camping cooler will go a long way in determining which type of box you should purchase. If it's you and your significant other heading to a state park for a relaxing weekend, then a small cooler should be fine since you don't need to keep things cold all week.
On the other hand, if you're going to Yellowstone for a week or two, you'll want something bear-proof, insulated and big enough to hold a few days' worth of food and drinks (after which you' ll need to drive out and re-stock). If you're just looking for a portable refrigerator, you can leave it on the deck during a big holiday party.
KASSICO, a leading aluminum box factory in Ningbo, China, has 21 years of production experience. Since 2015, combining the advantages of camping kitchen boxes, KASSICO has expanded its business scope to outdoor camping gear and equipment, including design and supply of camp kitchenware, camp furniture, camping tent, camping lights and tools, etc. With multiple sets of outdoor products solutions, kassico provides customers around the world with hundreds of innovative and affordable outdoor products, we will be your reliable suppliers, and we will try our best to serve you better and to be your honest partner.
More Detail: https://www.kassico-outdoor.com/
