We are going away on holiday soon, and last year we drove straight to our holiday rental. This year, hubby wants to leave early and spend the day at the beach.
How long would you trust a cooler with cooler packs to keep food cold? One food item would be a frozen chichen, so that would act like a block of ice. We are talking about a 6-7 hour time period. We do have access to a frig that plugs into the car, so we could reduce it by 2-3 hours.
I really don't want to have to go to Meijer to shop when we get there. It would be nice to make salads and things ahead of time, but I'm not sure about spending the day at the beach and keeping food in a cooler. We could add ice to it....
Thoughts on this?
ETA: there will also be frozen pizza dough that I would use the night we got there.
Depends on the cooler. We have one that the ice doesn’t start to melt, unless you open it, in 24 hours. A normal cooler it is shorter. All is dependent on whether you open it.
I think if you add ice to it when you stop you should be fine. Food doesn’t need to be cold all day. I personally think it will be just fine. I would layer some of the ice packs if you have a deep cooler.
A few years ago I bought a few long sheets of frozen ice. You can get them anywhere, I think Igloo makes them. It looks like a sheet of ice cubes and you can reuse them. I like them because they are flat but still have a large cooling surface area. If I’m packing a lot I will put one on the bottom, one in the middle and one on the top.
I would start with those and then add real ice when you stop for gas if necessary. I would do it. Also, if you want to spend the money, they make “super coolers” now that keep ice frozen for like 3 days. We have a smallish one and love it. We take it camping and it really does work…but as someone else said it lasts longer without opening the lid a lot.
It really depends on your cooler. Maybe you can google the model and see if it has any claims as to how long a sealed cooler will stay at what temperature. It depends on the insulating material that is used. It also depends on whether the items you put in are frozen or just cold and also how many times you open the cooler. And also how you pack the cooler–see this article for some hints on how to pack http://whatscookingamerica.net/Information/PackingCooler.htm
which might address some of your questions. Have a fun trip!
It really depends on your cooler. Maybe you can google the model and see if it has any claims as to how long a sealed cooler will stay at what temperature. It depends on the insulating material that is used. It also depends on whether the items you put in are frozen or just cold and also how many times you open the cooler. And also how you pack the cooler–see this article for some hints on how to pack http://whatscookingamerica.net/Information/PackingCooler.htm
which might address some of your questions. Have a fun trip!
we save empty juice bottles (48 oz size) freeze them rock solid. and put them in our cooler for camping. they last from Friday afternoon till sunday noon. We put 3 of them in the cooler and they do keep it cold. if you can park yoru car I the shade.. that will help. while you are at the beach.
I think it would be fine. We go to the local pool for 4-6 hours on weekends sometimes and the food we don’t eat is still cold when we get home. The ice is only melted if the cooler is in the direct sunlight.
Will you keep the cooler with you in the car or at the beach? How big is the cooler? You need to purchase a 7-8 lb. bag of ice. Also, save empty milk jugs and freeze 1-2 with water (almost to the top - leave room for expansion) and put those in the cooler. These serve like block ice. When we are out camping and it is a hot day, we buy ice once a day.
We go camping for several days. We have the 5 day cooler, but as long as you keep ice in it.. all should be fine. The food cooler since there is usually frozen meat in there stays the best. as long as you have one bag of ice in there it should be fine.
If your cooler will keep ice for two days, it will keep your food for a minimum for two days.
Your cooler keeps ice as ice when the outside temperature is in the 80’s or higher because of insulation. When I know the car is going to be hot on the inside because of the weather and sun shining on the inside, I will lay a quilt or blankets on the ice chest to increase the insulation value. hat causes the temperature inside the cooer/ice chest to stay lower.
Being a mom with two Boy Scouts, if stored proberly, a good week. We always start the meat being frozen and eat within 2-3 days. As long as you keep adding ice you should be good.