Cooler - what is the best?

[Fritz]

I am in the market for a new cooler for camping and fishing. What does a good job of keeping stuff cold for a long while. I am planning on using it for island camping where I spend 4-5 days at a time. I don't like coming off the water to go buy ice, so I am looking for quality. What kind do you have? Would I be better off with two smaller ones, or one bigger one?

Thanks,

Fritz

[Pat Wunsch]

Fritz, I have an older Coleman that does the trick. There are lots of coolers on the market and although I haven't tested many out there, I would believe that you will get what you pay for.

A couple of suggestions. Make sure you freeze everything prior to leaving including the water. This is more important in keeping things colder much longer than what cooler you choose. I will fill several 2-liter pop bottles with water and freeze them. Also do not buy cubed ice. Go with block ice instead as it lasts almost twice as long. And finally, keep the lid closed and in the shade. Good luck!

[Dan]

I too was recently in the market for a new cooler and after a considerable amount of shopping, I went with the 94 qt. Igloo from Cabelas. This cooler comes with a parts list so you can purchase broken hinges, latches or whatever which is a big plus, but they are spendy.
There are many good coolers out there, but stay away from the type that have the small access doors within the top lid. Coolers loose their efficiency through the seems and joints so the fewer you have, the longer your ice will last.
If I’m taking a long trip I’ll run a strip of duct tape around the cooler were the lid meets the body. Really helps extend the life of your ice.

[jps]

>I am in the market for
>a new cooler for camping
>and fishing. What does
>a good job of keeping
>stuff cold for a long
>while. I am planning
>on using it for island
>camping where I spend 4-5
>days at a time. I
>don't like coming off the
>water to go buy ice,
>so I am looking for
>quality. What kind do
>you have? Would I
>be better off with two
>smaller ones, or one bigger
>one?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Fritz
I have a ultra cool 50 by "Igloo".It has a thicker lid than most coolers. I assume 50 stands for 50 qts. Bought at 'Sam's (Walmart) for approx. $20. Best cooler I have ever had. As to one large cooler verses two smaller ones, I'd vote for two smaller ones,unless your fish are so big you can't use the smaller one.Just kidding!

[Gumbo]

Another vote for the Ultra cool. It will keep ice much longer than a standard cooler. I bought one last year to take to Lake Powell over the July 4 week. Daytime temps were around 110. We had to replace ice in all coolers but the Ultra.

[cisco]

Caleman makes a model called Extreme -- it is available in several sizes. It is the best insulated on the market, but you sacrifice space because of it. Thick walls and thick lid equal less space. But, it will keep ice for 5 days, even in very warm weather. For fishing and normal outings it is overkill -- but for camping it is right on target. Check it out.

[Airwave(OH)]

I've posted this before. Which ever brand you decide go with a cooler that is WHITE. It helps keep ice longer by not absorbing heat...This I swear by...

[derrek]

Fritz: Coleman makes a brand called "extreme" (I think that's the name). It only comes in silver with a white top. It has kept ice for 4-5 days, and withstood a black bear assault. They are a little pricey for coolers when bought in-season, but they are good, and I guess you are partially buying the Coleman name. Just my 2 cents.

[AquaMan]

Igloo Ultra = $39.99 at Galyan's, Gander & Sam's Club.

Get 2 40 quart coolers and keep the second one for foods that you will use later in the trip. Keep it sealed and in a shady spot till you need it.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

.·´¯° --- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

Eric@crowncomputerinc.com

[Kevin B]

Good suggestions precede me. Don't overlook the Coleman Steel Belted.

[TONY ON ICE]

FRITZ,
There's a lot of high quality coolers on the market and if I had to buy one today, it would be the Igloo models as they seem to have the most insulation, including the lids than any other on the market.
Being in the fish business, I've seen them all but if you really want to keep your catch, food and drinks cold for the longest period of time, those thick walled styrofoam coolers are by far the best thing you can get your hands on !
They're similar to the ones that Omaha Steak company sends their meats out in and they are available through many distributors and retailers around the counrty.
I had a buddy from Alaska send me a package of Moose, caribou, halibut and some other delicacies from there last year and it was frozen solid and put into one of these foam coolers and shipped out US mail from Anchorage. 4 days later when I
got the package, the meat and fish were still frozen solid and there was still frost on the aluminum foil he wrapped it all in ! I was amazed at how rock solid everything still was after the 3 days in transit !
If I'm going anywhere for the duration, these coolers go with me.
No cooler on the market has even half of the insuation as these foam coolers !

Tony B