Need a new Esky / Icebox

Whatever Icebox you decide to go with, see if its possible to get BLOCK ICE instead of bag ice. Will last longer.

Cheers,

Muzz

Tip I learned recently is to freeze water in 1.25l soft drink bottles in the freezer at home.

Put these in your esky and they will help keep it cold and when they do finally melt you can drink the nice cold water rather than have it go to waste sloshing around the bottom of the esky. Bag ice cools stuff really really quick (makes warm beer nice and drinkable in about 30 mins!) but Block Ice lasts heaps longer. Is all governed by the surface area exposed to air.

Using these frozen water bottes can even help in a compressor fridge, not as much cooling effort required by the fridge. If you were taking water with you anyway why not put it to good use. Just whack a couple of bottles of water in the home freezer a day or so before you go (but do'nt fill them right up!)

Another point I have learned is that when you are driving for a few hours run the fridge at a higher setting as there is plenty of power available while the altenator is charging up the battery. When you are stopped and running on battery only, then back the fridge off a bit to extend battery life. Same applies if you have access to a genny for a few hours.

If you are doing lots of driving on an extended trip then you could use this principle to even make a bit more ice or refreeze the water in your soft drink bottles. Then whack them back in the esky.

Cheers
Muddy

Hi Smocky

Our son has just bought a Coleman esky and the ice is suppose to last for 5 days although the webpage says up to 7 days.
We are yet to see it proved though.

this is the one he got........
http://www.colemanaustralia.com.au/Product,1125,6273-721G.aspx

Cya
Tripp'n
:)

You mentioned the waecos... i take it you have already checked out www.fridgeshop.com.au- the waeco store.
The iceboxes I have used most often are the OzEsky ones which seem very similar to the waecos- Available through slingrig stores. These things are damn strong- we had a 160 litre one (had to cater for a few people and their drinking habits)- the only downside to it is: once full, you almost need a hiab to get it off a ute tray, and if you put your swag too close to the thing you can hear the ice settling all night long. We had this white box on the beach in 40 degree heat, and it kept ice for 3 days in those conditions- and that was with it being opened every 20 mins for fresh rounds.
A recommendation with any esky you get: get some soft adhesive backed foam tape- stick it around the lid to ensure its airtight and if you have doubts about the internal insulation, go out and grab a can of Polyurethane foam- drill as small a hole as needed and inject that into your esky walls/lid and you will have asignificantdifference. Get rid of the air in the walls and you will have no chance of convection in there.

You should get yourself a fibreglass icebox . I fish a lot in FNQ and the NT and all the guides and locals use them .They are expensive , but will last you for the rest of your life .
If you decide on something cheaper , make sure that it has foam insulation in the lid . Lot's dont , and are a waste of time .
Always put your stuff in the fridge before putting it into the icebox - then your ice will last for 4 days .
Take a milk carton with you when you go to make your purchase , to make sure the one you buy is tall enough - most are not .
Boots camping in Sydney ahve some .

Cheers ,

Have a 62lt Tropical Ice Box for sale in the Trader
here....ahh but I'm in Briso.

they say 7 days but as with Coleman that's if you don't open them ;)

Smocky,

A little off line but $400 will get you a 42L fridge from Supercheap. Then you can run one as a fridge and one as a freezer if you so choose.

Just a strange thought from a strange man.

Cheers,

Jim.

Smocky,

I got a Ice Cool which is the poly version of the evakool esky. It was $150 and is the same external size as the 3 way I have, but heaps bigger inside and square. Used it for 4 nights away over new year and used the SPC plastic fruit jars as blocks and had cold beer the whole time we were away and still had ice on our return home. Couldn't be happier I got it at 4x4 Show in Vic normal price was 200. Same hinges etc as the evakool. I noticed at the show that there was much cheaper ones in blue and red but not name brand

Red

Bailys / Evercool ,one and the same ,best "esky" ever made ,last a lifetime and holds resale value as well ,however once you have one you will never consider selling it as they are just so damn good ,have a 70lt now10yrs old ,still like new,, now into 12v ,waeco80lt + engle15lt + chescold40lt , can never have too much refridgeration .

Hi Smocky, have to agree with undertaker, evercool are the best esky on the market bar none, have a 30 ltr and a 70 ltr and both are capable of holding ice for up to 5 days , and that is in nw Qld in summer temps , 40+ degrees
Regards Fatboy

g'day smocky

the canopy looks great. We have an evacool and several esky brand eskys. The eva cool is miles ahead. Will last for days with normal bags of ice.

cheers

crazie

Hey Smocky, I bought one of these a few weeks before I got the Repco 3 way that you've been having trouble with. To avoid any further trouble, don't get a Waeco 60L because that's what I went for. Would have been just as happy with EvaKool I'm sure but Waeco were throwing in a padded lid cushion and internal rack. FWIW I came to the conclusion that the Poly ones were probably the best bang for buck and better if you are going to knock it about (probably won't show it as much) but for a long term purchase the fiberglass is probably worth it.

One thing I recommend you have a look at is Techni Ice (sp?). I bought some from Grangers with the esky... a padded membrane that initially abourbs water but will not release it. Like a new age ice brick, brilliant.