Hi-ya all,

I'm considering the purchase of a new cooler to take camping/adventuring, but I'm not sure what kind to get. Do any of you have a good recommendation about a cooler you personally use?

Thanks in advance.

-RMHI

I use the big white marine coolers. They can get pricey, but man can they hold a lot of stuff. Use Block ice as well. It doesnt melt nearly as fast.

I have a Igloo 52 Quart I think that I bought a few years ago. I't will keep ice for like 5 days. I got it a wal mart for like 25 bucks.

How much you willing to spend on a cooler?

ARB has its own cooler you can keep it plugged to your outlet....

Those are nice! I had a small one when I was a beer vendor and kept my lunch in it...

You were a beer vendor.....dang it....there goes the chance of asking for free beer.....:mocking:

I had a Rubbermaid cooler, and I wasn't very happy with the performance. I've heard good things about Igloo and Coleman.

Block ice? Is that the same as using frozen water in milk jugs?

You were a beer vendor.....dang it....there goes the chance of asking for free beer.....:mocking:
Hell I didn't even get free beer. I did get a bunch of free shwag though. Ahhh the good ol days...lol

As for how much I'm willing to spend, I'll pay for quality. I'd rather not buy a new cooler every 2-3 years.

Then you might wanna check into ARB cooler then. Good reviews on that product.

As for Tim, I've always wanted that neon Bud Light or Budweiser sign lol....ones I've seen for sale runs around 200 or more lol.

I had a Rubbermaid cooler, and I wasn't very happy with the performance. I've heard good things about Igloo and Coleman.

Block ice? Is that the same as using frozen water in milk jugs?

Yep, pretty much. I use 2 liter soda bottles because they're not as likely to rupture. You can also go to the ice houses and get great big slabs of ice, usually about 12" x 18" x 4"thick. They keep for a long time in a good cooler. I really like the Igloo 5 day coolers (http://www.igloocoolers.com/products/FullSize/MaxCold). Igloo is a good brand as far as durability goes too, as long as they aren't stored in the sun.

Hello, Most popular brands are excellant...We like Igloos...parts are available (hinges,etc)

The Key to using coolers? ...bigger blocks will last longer of those long camping trips..
keep a towel , canvas, or burlap bag to keep on top of the inside of cooler...when opening the lids....NOT all the cool air will escape...hense..keeping the ice lasting longer..

Using crush Ice? ...to seal it tight (top portion of the cooler fill with crush ice) pour rock salt on the top to melt it close or seal off...Crush Ice does melt faster than blocks.

crush ice is great for iceing food,drinks, and fish when fishing...

Also keep you coolers under covers (not in the sun)

again the bigger the blocks...the longer they will last ( we have done 9 day fishing trips off roading on the Big Island chasing for ULUA's (sliding baiting style or Hawaii's top shoreling game fish. 2 times too....

Most of our trips are from one day to three days..and blocks is the best way to go..you can always chip the blocks to make crush ice too!

for smaller blocks- Walmart Ice bins worth great...! Bigger blocks- use a heavy duty trash bag in a cardboard box (if making your own) .and depending on he size of the box? ...you can make big blocks of Ice...

We use a heavy duty plastic bins (approx 40lb blocks)..they do crack time to time too..
Still looking for something to use that will last forever (metal ones?)

Aloha, (have a 15 cubic and 21 cubic chest freezers...we use lots of ice blocks for our style of fishing ( two 151 coolers and couple of small ones..always..

Kona, I envy you your life. A 9 day trip off roading around the big island in search of fish sounds like the best possible way to spend time. :)

Hello, One more thing....Coolers are NOT a daily purchase..most times until the present one breaks or break down over time...

Best to buy a name brand and heavy duty types....Like the Marine grade Igloos....thicker insulations...TRY Costco! On the Big Island.. 151 qt size...out sells every other costco too! (well almost)

Aloha

Yeah the plug in coolers are garbage. The ARB fridge is well like a normal fridge and only draws 2 amps from the battery so you can leave it plugged in all the time unlike the coolers. But, then again the coolers aren't $750 either.

coleman makes a stainless one with a real good latch thats keeps stuff cold for mad long a lil pricey but it is a tank

The metal Colemans look like the cooler my old man had when I was a kid. I like the looks, but for the price, the performance isn't as good.

The plug-ins aren't really my style. I ended up with a large marine cooler. I'm guessing it will be fine.

Aloha to the Islands. It's just starting to thaw here, and we may have more winter coming. However, fishing season is coming soon. So while I'm also jealous of your adventure options, I'm patiently tying flies in the garage, preparing my rod, and waiting for the trout to run.

Thanks for all the replies.

Here is what i have and it works quite well. holds crushed ice for the 6 days.... blocks even longer. They work great for food. I use a slightly less insulated one for drinks.
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/ColemanCom/subcategory.asp?CategoryID=8581

I have a military cooler from my Grandfather circa WWII/Korean War. I'll take piX later today :)