Will a Cooler Keep Food Cool Without Ice?

Coolers must be packed correctly to avoid food spoilage.

Ice is not the only material that allows coolers to maintain correct temperatures. Keeping cold items cold helps make camping excursions, day-trips or vacations a pleasant affair.

Selecting A Cooler

Soft-sided-nylon and styrofoam coolers are sufficiently cool for a day trip. Hard-plastic coolers with tight-fitting, insulated lids are best for multiple-day outings. Metal coolers are easily heated by the sun and should be avoided.

Preparing Your Food

Do not store food at unsafe temperatures. Bacterial levels can become dangerous when food is stored at 40 to 140 degrees for more than two hours.

Frozen water bottles, juice boxes, pre-cooked meat and pre-prepared meals provide the same cooling action as ice. Frozen gel packs are effective but expensive alternatives to ice and frozen comestibles.

Packing Your Cooler

Line your cooler with aluminized bubble-wrap; the reflective nature of this material increases cooling function. Pack items in reverse order, with those to be consumed last placed at the bottom of the cooler. Pack your cooler as full as possible to avoid air pockets. Air pockets increase internal temperature.

Maintaining Cooler Temperature

Keep your cooler closed. Carry an additional cooler for frequently accessed items such as snacks and drinks. Place your cooler in the shade and cover it with a blanket, tarp or poncho.

References

• USDA Food Safety And Inspection Services: Fact Sheets--Safe Food Handling
• Desert Road Trippin: How to Keep Ice Cold in the Desert