Keep your food chilled for longer by buying the right cooler.
It’s no secret that Australians love spending time outdoors. Many of us practically live outdoors in the warmer months, whether we’re spending a day at the beach, having friends over for a barbeque or going on a camping trip.
No matter how you’re spending your summer days, you’ll often want to be able to bring something to eat or drink with you. An efficient esky or cooler is one of the best ways to preserve your food and keep your drinks at an ideal temperature.
Coolers come in hard and soft materials and can be as cheap at $15 or as much as $500.
Read on to find out how to choose the best cooler to meet your needs.
Compare the best* eskies for 2018
Hard vs soft eskies
Choosing between a hard or soft esky depends on how you want to use it. Soft coolers are usually lighter, easier to transport and collapsible so they take up little space when not in use. This makes them handy for short or day trips, such as taking lunch to work or bringing a smoothie to the gym.
Hard eskies are more durable, offer more storage and typically keep items cold for longer, but they can be bulky. These eskies are ideal for longer trips and outdoor use. However, even if you’re taking a long trip, you might want to consider bringing a soft cooler or two in case you want to take food on day trips or hikes. When you’re not using them you can fold the coolers up so they don’t take up precious space in your car or campervan.
How much do eskies cost?
Esky prices range from $15 to $500 based on size, material, insulation and brand. Cheaper eskies are typically small and can only keep food cold for a few hours. These eskies are handy for short activities like afternoon trips to the beach.
If you need an esky for an extended trip, you will need to pay more for an esky that offers multiple days of ice retention.
How to choose an esky
When buying an esky, the main factors to consider, aside from cost, are the size of the esky and how long it can keep ice frozen for.
When choosing an esky, look for the following additional features:
- Wheels for easier manoeuvring.
- A drain plug that allows you to remove melted ice from the bottom of your esky without tipping it over.
- Sturdy and easy to grip handles so that you can lift your esky without straining.
- Latches and lids that are durable enough for outdoor activities and don’t come undone if the esky moves around or tips over.
- A lifetime warranty or a warranty of more than one year.
- Additional outer storage pouches.
- Easy to clean surfaces.
8 additional tips for keeping your food cool
Australians are spending more time camping than ever before. Here are 8 ways to make your esky more efficient on your next trip:
- Cool the inside of your esky for at least a few hours before you pack. This way, the esky will already by the right temperature when you start loading your food and will stay colder longer.
- Use ice blocks instead of cubed ice. Ice blocks melt more slowly and help keep your esky cold for longer.
- Freeze water in plastic bottles in advance. You can place them in the cooler to help keep things cold and drink the water when the ice melts.
- Pack the coldest, most frozen items on the bottom of the esky and fruit and vegetables on the top. If you are packing raw meat, make sure to wrap it well and place it below any fresh foods.
- Keep your esky out of the sun and limit the time your esky will spend in hot environments like the boot of your car.
- When your ice melts, don’t drain the water. The cold water will help to keep your food cool better than air would. If you have to drain the water, try to fill the empty space with more ice.
- Open the lid as little as possible. Every time you open the lid you let out cold air. If there are certain items like drinks that you want to access regularly, consider putting them in a separate cooler.
- Limit the amount of air space in the esky as air is not efficient at keeping food cool. Pack your items with as few air gaps as possible.
