Author Topic: Ice Chest tricks? (Read 8358 times)

germ · « **on:** Aug 15, 2005, 05:28:25 PM »

So, just wondering what everyone does to prevent their food and such from becoming a submarine in the water in the bottom of the cooler. I just finished a 10 day camping trip, and it seemed that everything was submerged

. Obviously didn't bother the beer much, but the fresh food got a bit soggy

.

What kinda tricks to people have to prevent this? Anything? We tried the little basket thing, which sort-of works. Zip-lock bags are better than nothing, but what else is there? Do I have to pay $$$ for an electric cooler?

Your thoughts?

Erik

MiniSimp · « **Reply #1 on:** Aug 15, 2005, 05:31:03 PM »

I vacuum seal all of my food. Cook it first, then pack it, then heat up and eat!
It can sit in the water for days, but none will get in those air tight bags.

Willy Mammoth · « **Reply #2 on:** Aug 15, 2005, 05:49:01 PM »

I was thinking of using dry ice. I think it will last longer and wont produce water. Anybody had experience with dry ice?

wa4x4 · « **Reply #3 on:** Aug 15, 2005, 06:25:52 PM »

Use 2 Ziploc bags. One with a zipper at the bottome one with the zipper at the top. No water will get in. A little more money for the extra bags, but food stays nice. Also the cheap tupperware imitators are pretty water tight.

*FFC* · « **Reply #4 on:** Aug 15, 2005, 06:33:04 PM »

zip loc everything baybeeeee!!

that's what I do anyway..and it works if you keep up with it and don't slack off

Lady Di · « **Reply #5 on:** Aug 15, 2005, 06:36:46 PM »

Quote from: MiniSimp on Aug 15, 2005, 05:31:03 PM

I vacuum seal all of my food. Cook it first, then pack it, then heat up and eat!
It can sit in the water for days, but none will get in those air tight bags.

vacuum seal!

I love my food saver! I'm pre cooking a bunch of food for our trip west. It's way easier then driving 8-10 hours a day and then have to think about what to cook. As well as food we have to bring on the trail.

brainlessfool · « **Reply #6 on:** Aug 15, 2005, 08:07:17 PM »

dry ice works good, to good. it will freeze up your cooler over a few days.

Rocksurfer · « **Reply #7 on:** Aug 16, 2005, 12:24:05 AM »

Instead of just putting your food in ziplocks, I also put the ice in them too. As the ice melts it keeps the water inside, not only does it slow the melting down it keeps your cooler dryer. Very little will leak out but just in case I put my food in a zippy too.

Cheesemaker · « **Reply #8 on:** Aug 16, 2005, 03:49:43 AM »

Freeze water or juice in one gallon milk jugs!

Rocksurfer · « **Reply #9 on:** Aug 16, 2005, 06:52:02 AM »

Quote from: cheesemaker on Aug 16, 2005, 03:49:43 AM

Freeze water or juice in one gallon milk jugs!

I do this one too, if I remember to get a gal. of water. Also I freeze eveythnig that can be like those juice drinks in foil pouches.

*FFC* · « **Reply #10 on:** Aug 16, 2005, 06:53:21 AM »

Quote from: cheesemaker on Aug 16, 2005, 03:49:43 AM

Freeze water or juice in one gallon milk jugs!

D'OH!!

My mom does that the only problem is that it takes up so darn much room in the ice chest...even liter size water bottles, fill em and freeze em they're smaller and you can use more of em that way when they melt you have drinking water

germ · « **Reply #11 on:** Aug 16, 2005, 08:43:21 AM »

Anyone have any experience with those electric coolers? Kinda $$$ is my thought, but I'd like to hear some experiences if there are any.

Erik

Rocksurfer · « **Reply #12 on:** Aug 16, 2005, 09:15:55 AM »

Quote from: germ on Aug 16, 2005, 08:43:21 AM

Anyone have any experience with those electric coolers? Kinda $$$ is my thought, but I'd like to hear some experiences if there are any.

Erik

A few of my fellow club members have them, they really like them, a little pricey though. Freezes stuff good too. They leave them hooked up even overnight and has yet to drain a battery on them, they do have dual batteries and have the one running the coolers isolated.

*FFC* · « **Reply #13 on:** Aug 16, 2005, 09:31:29 AM »

Quote from: germ on Aug 16, 2005, 08:43:21 AM

Anyone have any experience with those electric coolers? Kinda $$$ is my thought, but I'd like to hear some experiences if there are any.

Erik

Yeah I've tried a couple of em and don't like em. I put a couple sodas in one (bout a 12 pack size) and it couldn't keep em cold....maybe it was faulty

Rocksurfer · « **Reply #14 on:** Aug 16, 2005, 09:34:14 AM »

Quote from: FordFreakChik on Aug 16, 2005, 09:31:29 AM

Yeah I've tried a couple of em and don't like em. I put a couple sodas in one (bout a 12 pack size) and it couldn't keep em cold....maybe it was faulty

That's those Walmart specials, they now have some that cost about $800.00, they do the job.

*FFC* · « **Reply #15 on:** Aug 16, 2005, 09:38:51 AM »

Quote from: Rocksurfer on Aug 16, 2005, 09:34:14 AM

That's those Walmart specials, they now have some that cost about $800.00, they do the job.

I'll just take your word for it

Rocksurfer · « **Reply #16 on:** Aug 16, 2005, 09:45:28 AM »

Yeah, we were discussing them just last week when we were camping on the Dusy. Depending on the size they range anywhere from $500.00 bucks on up. They work though and have a low amp drain on the batteries, they can refrigerate or freeze. We came to the consensis that the mid priced one would be the best since it has the bigger compressor and just a little less cubic inches than the big one.

Cheesemaker · « **Reply #17 on:** Aug 16, 2005, 01:33:52 PM »

I use a large 60 qt cooler with the milk jug trick, so it doesn't take up alot of space.

Some friends have a 12 volt cooler that they have had for about 10 years, and it works awesome, like said it will freeze things up overnight! I think the way to go is the $500+ models, with dual batteries. You take care of them and they will last forever. Or if you can't justify the price get a couple buddies to pitch in!

Ferg · « **Reply #18 on:** Aug 16, 2005, 08:24:53 PM »

Electric cooler here - http://www.adventuretrailers.com/accessories/Accessories.html

Remember that your '48qt' cooler is 50% ice! An electric is ALL food/drink storage!

Willy Mammoth · « **Reply #19 on:** Aug 17, 2005, 04:22:30 AM »

They are only designed for about a 40* temp difference, which means if it is 100* outside it will only be 60* inside. The numbers here are only for compairson and may be differant, but you get the picture.