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[00:00:00.11] Heading out for an adventure and looking for ways to keep your food cold and drinks frosty? Use these five tips to beat the heat and help the items in your soft or hard cooler stay colder longer. I like to keep my food in the freezer or fridge until it's time to pack the cooler. The colder the food is when it gets packed, the longer it'll stay cold.
[00:00:17.64] I also try and pre-cool my cooler before packing it. I stick some ice in it for an hour or two and then I swap the ice for some ice packs so there is less ice melting on my food. When I have a layer of food or drinks, I try and put more perishable things towards the bottom and closer to the ice, packing it all tightly together. You can have as many layers as you want, but you should try to always have a cold layer on the bottom. And on top, fill up as much empty space as possible.
[00:00:42.48] And a bonus tip, I like to use frozen water bottles on the top. That way I have a nice supply of ice cold drinking water as they melt. One of the easiest ways to keep things colder longer is to cut down the number of times the cooler is opened. Try to plan your meals accordingly so you aren't constantly opening the cooler. Remember to keep in mind that a fully packed cooler can weigh over 100 pounds, so it's best to have some help when it comes time to move it.
[00:01:05.86] And here's my final favorite tip. Grab a different cooler and separate your drinks into it. You're going to be opening this cooler a lot more frequently so this will help with keeping the other cooler cold and allow you to pack more food. And finally, when I get to where I'm going, I always try and find a shady spot to keep both of my coolers during the day. And then I store both of those coolers in my car overnight for safe keeping.
[00:01:26.95] By following these five tips, you'll ensure that your food stays colder longer on your next adventure. What tips do you have for keeping things in your cooler cool? Drop us a comment below and make sure to and subscribe for more tips and tricks for your time outside at the campsite and beyond. And stay cool out there.
Tip 1: It's Cool to Pre-Cool
Keeping your cooler colder, longer starts long before it’s time to pack it. Freeze or refrigerate any food or drinks you’re planning to bring so they can be as cold as possible when you're packing. It’s just as important to pre-cool the cooler itself. Stick some ice or ice packs in it an hour or two before you start packing.
Tip 2: Layers, Layers, Layers
Packing is all about having the right ratio of ice to food and drinks. A good rule of thumb is to have twice as much ice as you do food/drinks in the cooler.
Layer 1: Cold
When it’s time to pack, start with a layer of ice/ice packs on the bottom.
Layer 2: Food/Drink
Then add a layer of food or drinks with the most perishable items closest to the ice, packing it all tightly together.
Layer 3: Cold
Then add another layer of ice/ice packs on top of the food or drinks. If there’s room, add another layer of food/drinks with more ice/ice packs on top of them, and so on.
You can have as many layers as you want, but you should always have a colder layer on the bottom and on top. Keep in mind that a fully packed large cooler can weigh over 100 pounds. It’s best to use some help when it's time to move it!
QUICK TIP:
Use frozen water bottles as the top cold layer; that way you have a nice supply of ice-cold drinking water as they melt!
Tip 3: Have a Separate Drink Cooler
It’s not uncommon to reach for a cold drink multiple times between meals, especially if there are multiple people on your trip. Consider keeping drinks in a separate cooler to cut down the number of times the one with all your food is opened.
Tip 4: Keep it Shady
When you get where you’re going, find a shady spot for the cooler during the day like under a picnic table or tree. You can move it back to your car for safekeeping overnight, but don’t leave it in a warm car during the day if you can avoid it.
By following these four tips, you’ll ensure that your cooler stays colder, longer on your next adventure.
Stay cool out there!
