Loading a warm cooler that has been stored in a hot garage or automobile will waste a significant quantity of ice to simply bring down the temperature of the cooler. Store your cooler at room temperature and then pre-cool it with ice overnight before packing it the following day.
It is tempting to drain the water from your cooler as soon as you can, but do not. The water is nearly as cold as the ice and will help insulate the rest of the ice. Make sure food and meat is not exposed to the water using a tray or water-tight container.
Opening a cooler on a hot day is a major ice killer. Consider it like you'd opening your fridge door. Grab what you want for everyone each time you access your cooler, which will keep ice as long as you can. Thanks to Yeti for helping with these ice retention tips.
Pre-Cool Your Cooler Use Rock Salt Use Cold Ice
Not all ice is made equal. The ice from your refrigerator is warmer than ice from a freezer. Dry ice mixed with regular cubed ice is an perfect combination, as the cubed ice will chill your contents quicker and the dry ice will last longer.
White coolers are ideal for absorbing less warmth, and all coolers should be kept in the shade to keep ice longer. If shade is not available, consider covering your cooler with a light colored blanket or or towel. To quickly chill room temperature beverages, load up your cooler and then sprinkle rock salt on top of the ice and close the lid.
Help out your cooler by mixing frozen steaks or refrigerated six-packs. It can take over a pound of ice to cool a half hour that started at room temperature, and a frozen steak will thaw perfectly within a few times in a cooler.
Do not Drain the Water
Any extra air space will accelerate ice melt because a part of the ice will be used to cool the air. Some pros fill the additional space with newspaper or paper towels to avoid the extra weight of ice.
If dry ice is not available, look for block ice will that also last longer. Cheaper plastic coolers can crack if used with dry ice, so consult your coolers manufacturer before using.
Avoid Air Gaps Limit Opening
The perfect ice-to-contents ratio is 2:1, so don't expect a cooler full of food with just a sprinkle of ice on top to remain cool for long. Pack as much ice as possible. Use a second cooler when necessary.
High-end rotomolded coolers are great for keeping your food and beverages cold for days, but you want to package them right. Here are some simple tips to maximize ice retention and get the best performance out of your cooler.