Keeping food and drinks cold in the heat
How to get the most from a cooler box on hot trips.
Pre-chill everything
Put the cooler somewhere cool the night before and load it with food and drinks that are already cold. Warm items melt ice fast.
Block ice lasts longer
Large blocks or frozen water bottles melt much more slowly than cubes. Frozen bottles double as drinking water once they thaw.
Two coolers if you can
Use one for drinks that get opened often and one for food. The food cooler stays closed and cold for much longer.
Keep it in the shade
Park the cooler under a canopy or vehicle, off hot sand, and cover it with a towel or blanket. Direct sun can halve ice life.
Don't drain all the water
Icy meltwater keeps contents cold. Drain only when it starts covering food packaging.
Electric coolers
For longer car trips, a 12V cooler or fridge removes the need for ice. Pair it with a power station or a vehicle with a healthy battery.