Polyethylene Iceboxes - all the same?

Hello Michelle
Also have a look at Techniice. We have one (60 ltrs I think) and are happy with it.

Sorry - can't answer your technical question.

I bought a Waeco Cool Ice ice box & to be honest I think the ice would have lasted longer in it's plastic bag!
When I took it back, the retailer held it up to the light & you could see that the insulation foam was only in a few areas.
The best ice box that I have ever had is the EvaKool fibreglass one, by a country mile.

I think the problem is we have been using the Tropical - 105l (?) but these stores don't sell it so not able to compare sidebyside. Who sells the Tropicals in Perth? Google didn't tell me - only their eBay or qld store that doesn't quote delivery to Perth.

From personal experience have found that the 'ICE COOL' by Evercool are as good as you can get ,even beat Evercool's own fibreglass icebox in the same size by keeping a frozen 2lt water bottle frozen twice as long ,had both eskies side by side on verandah to test last summer when we had 42c daytime temps with lows of only 36c ,,,,,

TechniIce for me as well.
I just bought one on eBay for $40.00 for a 41lt. Used it last weekend. Even bag-ice lasted for 3 days. Still some ice in the bottom.

They have a double sealing lid.

Techni-ice now have these ones with 70mm walls http://www.techniice.com/ice-boxes/signature-series.html
Probably very good.
I reckon the bunnings ones are probably pretty good as well. Look similar to the techni-ice basic range.
BCF, Rays and Anaconda do have good sales from time to time. (eg. 50% off)

Can you believe the Tropical & Techniice are not available in WA so to get one we have to pay $50 delivery. Still, the Techniice classic 100l is only $199 and from these reports maybe better value than even a factory second from Tropical @ $270 plus $50 post. The Techniice Signature seem good but biggest seems to be 85l I think and cost $269 plus post. So I think I'be narrowed it down to ordering the Techniice classic or getting the fibreglass Evakoool locally.

I have seen quite a few and the quality varies, especially the hinges and the seals, I've had hinges pull out, having said that Bunnings were really cheap at one stage so I bought a 45L one, depending on your budget and use the cheaper ones are fine.

Borrowed a mates larger Techni for a longer trip once, instead of my Anaconda Dune 41lt icebox.
Thought it would be way better.

Wasn't better, and might have actually been less effective.

Did the same as I do with the Dune, using a well frozen 3lt plastic milk container of rainwater in there, along with crushed ice. Freeze for a week at least.

Now have second Dune 41lt icebox, one for food, one for refreshments.
Have done several 4 day trips with them, and usually pack them with food, drinks, the block ice, and crushed ice the night before.

I can come home, unpack next day, and still dump half the crushed ice out on the drive, and the block ice is just a bit melted.

I usually get 3 bags of ice and split between the 2 iceboxes.

Without the 3lt block ice in each cooler, the ice would be gone by the last day.
The block ice melted is great to drink out there too.

Whatever icebox you go for, use block ice with your crushed ice, it works !

Michelle,
Found this site on Google

http://www.bunburyarmysurplus.com.au/products_4.asp?prodID=491&catID=179

Maye be they can get them for you.

Wootts

Michelle, Check out 'Xtreme Coolers' - a WA company.

www.xtremeproducts.com.au

I haven't got one, nor do I have any connection with the company, but on the 'Fishwrecked' forum everyone who has bought them loves them...

Drew