Coolers: Fibreglass vs. Poly

Submitted: Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 01:21
ThreadID: 19388 Views:9415 Replies:10 FollowUps:0
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Hello all, I'm doing some research on eskys and I want to seek some opinions on the pros and cons of poly vs. fibreglass. So far I think I have these points:

Fibreglass:
Pros - Better insulating properties,
Lighter and more rigid
No "plastic" smell
Easy to clean
Cons - High cost.

Poly:
Pros - Cheaper
more durable (dent resistance)
A range of colours
Cons - heavier and bulkier

Can anyone add some ammunition to convince SWMBO to fork out the extra dollars for an EvaKool? I'm nearly there...

Cheers, Scott
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Reply By: Coops (Pilbara) - Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 02:07

Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 02:07
try the "fibreglass is more hygienic" angle
AnswerID: 93172

Reply By: Penguin (NSW) - Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 15:04

Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 15:04
Scott,

Without a doubt, the Evakool is a great ice box. We use 2 litre milk containers as ice blocks and it lasts for 3-5 days depending on how much you open it. In conjunction with our three-way fridge in the trailer, we can freeze a block or two overnight and continue to keep the Evakool kool.
AnswerID: 93243

Reply By: sean - Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 19:10

Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 19:10
Scott

I have both.

The fibreglass has the smell, not the poly,

Anyway, go the poly. Cheaper, more durable and as far as I can see just as good insulation. Poly is really no bulkier and not any heavier. It doesnt smell and does not crack.

Seanb
AnswerID: 93271

Reply By: Dennis (Mackay) - Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 19:57

Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 19:57
I have a 100lt Weaco glass ice box, keeps party ice for around 4 - 5 days.

Imagine block ice will last longer, just haven't tried it yet.

Easy to clean, but yes more prone to marks, scratches etc.

Have a look at the Weaco seconds and superceded website for a bargain, I got mine for $240, dropped from $420 because it was the superceded model.

AnswerID: 93280

Reply By: Shaker - Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 23:37

Saturday, Jan 15, 2005 at 23:37
Fibreglass will definitely retain its shape for a lot longer!
Poly is more likely to deform & then be hard to maintain a good lid seal.
AnswerID: 93327

Reply By: flappan - Monday, Jan 17, 2005 at 09:08

Monday, Jan 17, 2005 at 09:08
EvaKool make both a Fibreglass and Poly , so there has to be a reason behind it.

I have a 65l Waeco Icebox , and its sensational. Party Ice for 4 or 5 days easily , and block ice for a week or more.

MInd you , the reason I bought the Waeco and NOT a Tropical Poly Box , was price. I got my icebox for $200 (reduced from $350) because it had a ding in it. The same size tropical was about the same price (but didn't have one when I needed it).

AnswerID: 93527

Reply By: Baz (NSW) - Monday, Jan 17, 2005 at 09:16

Monday, Jan 17, 2005 at 09:16
We bought an IceCool poly ice box don't know who makes it and don't really care, we chose because of price and toughness cant see the sence in paying 3 times the price for the Evakool when this is as good.
AnswerID: 93528

Reply By: scottwheels - Monday, Jan 17, 2005 at 18:31

Monday, Jan 17, 2005 at 18:31
Thanks for your help everybody! I'm sure it will come down to price (as most things do) but I'll keep my eye out for a bargain.

Cheers, Scott
AnswerID: 93643

Reply By: Mark- Monday, Jan 17, 2005 at 22:07

Monday, Jan 17, 2005 at 22:07
Poly is way more durable. My poly box (Tropical - the orange ones) keeps ice for up to a week. It bounces around in the trailer all the time and doesnt have a ding in it. Fiberglass has a nice finish but you'll spend a lot more time worrying about it!
AnswerID: 93680

Reply By: shaggy - Monday, Jan 17, 2005 at 22:22

Monday, Jan 17, 2005 at 22:22
You can also try Engel iceboxes. Plastic Iceboxes are also susceptable to UV degradation, wheras fibreglass will not deform or embrittle when exposed to light for a long time. You can also use dry ice in fiberglass boxes without worrying about cracking the plastic as happens in the plastic ones. Also, the quality of insulation is very important, it should be polyurethane foam. Cheaper plastic ice boxes might also use cheaper insulation, and seem to come from thailand or taiwan, and just generally look cheap.
Fiberglass all the way, I have one and have never looked back, and the difference in price is long forgotten.
Cheers
AnswerID: 93684

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