Moveable Feasts

Tips for Choosing & Using Coolers

 

by Sofia Romano

A loaf of bread, a jug of wine: "Fully loaded" backpack picnic cooler

Coolers and road trips were made for each other. Coolers are also wonderful for family outings -- a day at the beach, a sporting event, or even a trip to an amusement park. They're even great for grocery shopping on hot summer days, and they're indispensable for picnics and backyard barbecues. As uses for coolers have multiplied, so have innovative designs. Whether you're setting out to conquer Route 66 or just heading up the road for a picnic in the park, here are tips for choosing and using the best coolers for your needs.

If you are going on a long trip, it's best to bring one cooler for beverages and a separate cooler for food. The reason is that beverage coolers are opened frequently, allowing cold air to escape. Coolers with food will stay colder longer because they will be opened less frequently. Depending on the length of your trip or day out, a separate cooler filled with extra ice will help you to replenish ice in both food and beverage coolers.

Wash all perishable foods such as fruits & vegetables before you leave home. Pack all foods in air tight bags or sealed plastic containers. This helps prevent cross contamination, not to mention a mess.

Ice packs are available in many different sizes and styles. For the softer coolers, we advise that you DO NOT put loose ice in the food coolers. The reason for this is simple: the sharp edges of the ice can rip the lining. Also, ice melts faster than ice packs and makes the cooler heavy and misshapen. In order to prolong usage of your cooler, it must be cared for properly.

Beverage cooler tips: Pre-chill beverages before placing them in a cooler. Pre-cooling preserves ice, because you will be using ice to keep drinks cold, but not to cool them down in the first place. Since cold air travels down, place beverages in the cooler first and ice last. If possible, try to keep your cooler out of the sun and out of a hot car. Try finding a shaded area for your cooler once you arrive at your destination.

Food cooler tips: To keep food cold on long weekend getaways, several ice packs are best, or you can use a block of ice, which will keep food cold for a longer period than ice cubes. Always place ice packs or ice blocks on the bottom of the cooler. Always pack perishable foods directly from the refrigerator into the cooler -- don't let them warm up first. Keep foods dry and safe from cross contamination by placing them in air tight bags or sealed plastic containers. Along with your icepacks, pre-freeze several small bottles of water. Fill in any spaces and gaps with the frozen bottles. Not only are they extra ice packs, they're also extra water if you get thirsty!

Keeping hot foods warm. Coolers can be used not only for cooling but also for keeping foods warm. We highly recommend the following to keep warm foods warm. Purchase some combination ice /hot packs. Once you have heated your food, wrap it up in tin foil and then place the hot packs (please read instructions for their use) on top. If there are any spaces, cover the foil-wrapped food with a kitchen towel. Wrap hot bowls containing hot foods with more towels and then carefully place in the cooler. Fill up and gaps or spaces with kitchen towels -- filling in as much empty space as possible will help keep foods hot.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

• A cooler is not meant to re-chill food that has remained at a temperature of 40°F or above for one hour or more. Only food that has remained at safe temperatures should be placed back into the cooler. To be safe, throw out any food you are unsure of (especially anything with mayonnaise, eggs, etc.)
• A full cooler will maintain safer temperatures longer than a half empty cooler.
• Thaw frozen items in a refrigerator or cooler. Do not thaw meat at room temperature or in the sun.
• Keep perishable foods in cooler until just before serving.
• For more information on the science behind cooler safety, read Dennis Weaver's "Tips for Fresh & Healthy Road Food".
• Picnic Checklist
• Picnic Tips & Tricks

Backpack cooler "combo" Picnic cooler Insulated cooler tote Cooler on wheels Party cooler

TIPS FOR CLEANING YOUR COOLER

• Wash cooler with warm soapy water.
• To sanitize cooler, we suggest spraying the inside with an equal mix of water and white vinegar.
• Leave the lid OPEN for the interior to air dry. This is important -- if you close your cooler while it is damp, there will be an odor.
• Some coolers come with removable liners. Remove the liner and wash it with warm soapy water. Again, make sure the liner is completely dry before placing it back inside the cooler.

• Backpack cooler combos are great for picnics, a day at the beach, camping or hiking... The best thing about these backpack coolers is that they have a section at the top for your "dry" goods and an insulated bottom section for your food and/or beverages. Next time you bring the family to the fun fair or amusement parks, save your money (and your tummy!) by packing healthy sandwiches and crunchy snacks for you and the kids.
  
  
• Picnic Coolers are fully loaded, meaning they have all the accessories required for a picnic day out: glasses, plates, napkins and so on. Pack up some yummy cheeses, crackers and your favorite wine and have a great day out with your family and friends.
  
  
• Insulated Cooler Totes are really stylish and classy, with many colors and styles. Designed with ladies in mind, they're excellent for the farmers market, going grocery shopping or a day at the beach. Some of these bags are so stylish they can be used as an everyday bag!
  
  
• Coolers on Wheels are ideal for traveling. The wheels are easy to roll and you can get quite a lot of food in the insulated main compartment. Rolling Musicoolers, which have radios built right in, are ideal for beach trips or vacation. Some customers use them to transport their food, and some even bring them along to conventions and trade shows. They also collapse for easy storage.
  
  
• Party coolers are easy to fill up with as many as 60 cans of your favorite drinks. Top up with ice and enjoy the party! These coolers are great for larger outdoor gatherings and tailgate parties.

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