Best cooler

[18 inch Crappie]

I have a need to buy a new cooler for the growing family I have and all the partys I have at my new house. What are your thoughts on a 60-80 qt cooler that will keep Ice for days?

[Scott K]

What I did at my cabin is took an old refrigerator layed it on its back, drilled a hole in the bottom side of it, use a rubber boat plug in it, I have 2 very well insulated coolers, one smaller,( freezer side ), one bigger( fridge side), not very mobile, but works great for a week of camping with friends, holds ice really well!

[Daze Off]

Best cooler is the one with the beer in it! I have Igloo 120 and 150 and both are OK - will keep stuff cold for a day or so.

Daze Off

[Powerstroke]

The new Coleman Extreme series coolers have 2 levels. They claim ice for 5 days or more in the summer. A friend of mine has one and loves it. They kept ice the entire weekend last week when it was 85-90. We were camping up north.

[stick]

I second the Extreme. We have used them camping for multiple days in the summer heat, and blocks of ice last numerous days with 3-5 not being out of the question. However, for a deck party, I don't know how critical the high quality really is. If you want to spend the money, I'd go Extreme.

[irvingdog]

the best coolers are the un-opened ones. Break your cold items into low and high traffic consumables. Expect the high traffic cooler to melt much quicker than the low one.

And the Coleman extreme coolers are worth every penny.

[Jeremy airjer W]

I just picked up a coleman extreme (62 quart on wheels I think) last time I went camping. Very impressed with how long the ice lasted. It was the designated "refreshment" cooler and easily kept its ice for the five days we where out.

I also have an igloo max (once again I think) 80 quart that we use for perishables. I load that one up with blocks on the bottom and cover the top with cubes. It still had plenty of block left when we got home after the five days also.

I know Menards had the extremes on say a few weeks back (one of the reasons I picked one up). At the time theye where almost $20 dollars cheaper than anyone else. Kmart had a bunch also but I didn't see what they wanted for them.

[LMITOUT]

Anyone ever try those steel-sided Colemans? How do they perform?

[jltimm]

I've used the steel sided Colemans before with great results. I'd say there as good as the Coleman Extremes, but more $.

[harvey lee]

I have a 120gt Igloo and have placed two blocks of ice in the bottom and filled with numerous drinks and can leave it in the race trailer for a 5 days at the track and still have cold pop.

[Northlander]

The extreme coolers are great coolers. One thing I do with coolers is put newspaper or paper bags over all my stuff inside and it keeps the ice better. I have had ice in my Extremes for 3-4 days in hot weather. 5 days is pushing it.

Worth every cent IMO.

[Dave]

I have two Coleman Xtreme's. Best coolers I've ever had in regards to keeping ice for days.

[sparcebag]

I have Igloo & coleman,my thing when out for a few days is,a canvas tarp,thro rugs,anything that provides more insulation on top of coolers,and after there packed and iced I put newspaper on top before I close the lid.I also arrange,coolers as often used,less often and one to keep extra ice and frozen items,rarly used.

[Gadgetman]

another thing that works really great is using that bubble insulation with the silver foil on both sides and putting that inside the cooler, cut to fit the inside diameter. Probably does the same as the newspaper but doesnt get soggy and should have more insulating power. I had some left from insulating the inside of my fish house. by the way the steel belted coleman coolers are great.