Looking for a good Ice chest.?

Question

I am looking for the best Ice chest when it comes to holding ice for 2-5 day periods. I will be using this while camping, and sometimes we are a good drive from any civilization. Any suggestions and websites will be appreciated.

Answer 1

The Coleman Xtreme series of coolers are designed to keep ice cold for 5 days while the Ultimate Extreme keeps it for 6 days. Here is a 32 quart and a 50 quart model:
http://www.rei.com/product/687914
http://www.rei.com/product/723277

Answer 2

I've used the steel belted coolers for over 20 years and they keep ice the longest period of time but they are expensive. I have 2 of them (1 for drinks and 1 for food) and they work great! I do a lot of 5-night wilderness camping trips on an island and ice will last the whole time in 90 degree plus weather if you keep them in the shade. Also if you put a block of ice in the bottom of the cooler and cubes on top the ice will last even longer!
I've also bought the newer 5-day plastic coolers but they don't keep ice 5 days, as they claim, although the wheels are nice.
Coleman sells them, here is their link: http://www.coleman.com/coleman/ColemanCom/subcategory.asp?CategoryID=8501

Answer 3

Coleman xtrema, I have a 36 and a 70qt, put blue ice on the bottom and then food and ice on Thursday night and when I get home Sunday after noon the blue ice has 1/4"of ice around them when I get home and unpack. they have different grades of them now buy the best and biggest you can afford,It will be your buddy for life.the only bad thing that has happened is I broke a hinge from something being where the top seals My fault but Coleman sells replacement hinges

Answer 4

Most of your Igloo or Coleman are good ,,but buy some plastic shoeboxes at a discount store and make your own block ice,,,it will last much longer. On an extended camping trip or hunting trip I will pack one large cooler with nothing but block ice and use as needed.

Answer 5

This is the ice chest I have,

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/Item/51/76/50/i517650sn01.jpg

Product description:
When your road trips have very little to do with roads and more to do with trails, tents or boats, then you need more than the typical cooler. You need something that can stand up to the rigors of an extreme environment. Coleman, one of the most trusted names in the outdoor industry, has answered that need. Built with OptiMax™ insulation that guarantees to keep ice for seven days. The Steriltech antimicrobial liner keeps bacteria from forming inside the cooler. A Thermoflex UV/IR reflective color additive keeps the interior of the cooler from absorbing and storing heat when opened. The unique corner design has multiple anchor points to keep it secured in vehicles or boats. Stainless steel hardware and spring-lid strap. Locking lid latch. Threaded drain with petcock.

It works great. Keeps ice for days, even in warm temperatures. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

The steel belted Coleman is my favorite too. http://www.rei.com/product/675648
If we really need for our ice to last a long time, we use two ice chests. One for frequent access and one called Deep Freeze for seldom used items and to re-up the smaller chest. We keep Deep Freeze wrapped in an old sleeping bag and sitting on an insulating pad to boost the insulation. This helps especially when Deep Freeze is going to be in the hot car for a long time. Don't drain the water, that is thowing away precious thermal mass. If you have items that can't submerge, get waterproof boxes to store them in your ice chest -- even when it has melted down to a "slush chest".