Camping has long been my favourite way of slowing right down & escaping the busyness of modern day-to-day life.
There’s nothing quite like turning off my phone, pitching up a tent in the countryside and sharing a chilled night under the stars with family or friends.
Nevertheless, while I generally prefer to leave most modern amenities behind during these adventures, there are still a couple luxuries I like to bring along; namely my cool box.
One of my most cherished camping comforts, coolers are perfect for storing chilled foods and keeping drinks nice and crisp – an absolute must have if you’re taking a few beers or wanting a proper fry up!
How long do cool boxes stay cold?
A decent cool box can effectively keep your contents cold from anywhere between 18-48 hours – depending on the quality & size of your cooler. Larger coolers tend to last longer than smaller variations, although they are considerably bulkier
However – no matter how great your cooler box is – unfortunately it will still gradually heat overtime. How long it’ll stay cold will largely come down to how well it’s been packed, prepped and looked after during use.
It doesn’t matter how high-end of a cooler you own if it’s not taken good care of!
Luckily, properly using a cool box & keeping it cold is relatively simple if you know what to do!
In light of this, we’ve compiled some expert tips below to help you get the most out of your cool box on all your future adventures.
Interested? Let’s get to it 👇
How to use a cool box & how to keep it cold
Pre-chill & pre-freeze your food/drink
Starting with one of the most simple (but often overlooked) tips, pre-chilling & pre-freezing your foods before packing them in the cool box will help keep them colder for longer.
By already entering the cooler at a lower temperature, the less energy these items will use to cool. All your contents going into the cooler should be taken straight from your fridge freezer, or if you’re buying directly from the shops ensure they’re coming directly from the frozen or chilled section.
Top tip – if you’re camping over multiple days, it could be worth freezing some of your meat & drinks and simply leaving them out to thaw overtime when you’re at camp in order to prolong their lifespan.
Chill your cool box before packing
Likewise, you’ll also want to keep your actual cool box as cold as possible to extend it’s longevity.
The night before your trip, store the cool box in a cool corner of your house or even outside if safe to do so (such as your porch or garden) which will aid in keeping it at an ideal temperature.
Fill it to the brim
One of the most efficient ways of keeping your cool box cold is by minimising air space. Filling it up to the brim with food and drinks helps reduce the open space which houses warm air and heats your contents more quickly.
When you open a cooler which is only half full, all of that cold air gathered in the empty space will quickly escape.
To avoid this, pack your contents in a structured & orderly way so you’re able to cram as much food & drink in there possible to reduce the amount of air gaps in the cool box.
Pack it with plenty of ice
In addition to filling your cooler with food and drink, it goes without saying you’ll also want to cram plenty of ice in there too!
Ice not only helps in keeping things cool, but it also takes up space which would otherwise be filled by warm air.
Many cooler boxes already come with ice packs/freezer blocks which are reusable & better than standard ice. They’re bigger and more sturdy than regular ice, plus their extra mass means they don’t melt nearly as fast.
Many camp sites will also allow you to freeze ice packs during your stay. To maximise longevity of your cool box, you may want to take two sets of ice packs on rotation, always having fresh ones waiting in the freezer when needed.
Always keep it closed
Every time you open your cool box, some of the cold air inevitably escapes and gets replaced by warmer external air working its way in.
With that in mind, safe to say you want to keep opening times of your cooler as short as possible! Packing your cool box into cohesive sections often works best.
Knowing where each food type is placed avoids wasted minutes rummaging for what you want; lessening time the inside of the cooler is vulnerable to outside temperatures.
Clean it after your trip
Lastly, while it’s all too tempting to simply pack your cool box away and keep it out of sight after returning from a trip, this is actually one of the worst things you can do for its longevity.
A prime spot for bacteria to thrive after housing all kinds of foods and drink, letting it fester without any aftercare and you’ll likely be in for a funky smelling surprise next time you dig it out!
Once returning home, make an effort to wash your cooler with soap, warm water & disinfect it. Once it’s looking spotless, ensure its emptied of all water and let it sit out to dry.
Top tip – Be sure to take a towel and place it inside between the lid and cooler to keep it from getting stuffy and damp.
Cool box vs cool bag
In addition to cool boxes, cool bags are another extremely popular choice among outdoor explorers.
While cool boxes reign supreme when it comes to camping and multi-day adventures, cool bags are perfect for festivals, picnics and day trips in general.
Whether you’re planning an afternoon at the beach or a gentle ramble through the countryside, cool bags are effective for up to 12 hours and are smaller, cheaper and less cumbersome than a cool box. A much more convenient way to keep your things cool whilst on the move!
While you’re here…
For more camping tips, guides & expert advice, head on over to the Camping section of our blog. I’m sure there’s something that’ll tickle your fancy.
Happy camping 🏕️