How to Make Ice Last Longer in a Cooler

Whether you're on a road trip or just heading to a friend's barbecue, an ice-cold cooler equals refreshing drinks and food that's safe to eat. But in the heat of summer, even ice chests can have a hard time keeping cool. Failure to follow a few simple cooler rules will make your ice melt faster--increasing the chances that whatever you're trying to keep cold will spoil. To maximize your ice (and therefore your money), here are a few things to keep in mind.

Instructions

1. Buy an ice chest with good insulation and a tight-fitting lid. Often the more insulated models are more expensive, so try to find a cooler that is somewhere in the middle of the pack.

2. Fill the ice chest with food that has already been chilled in a refrigerator or freezer. Room-temperature or warm food will speed the melting process.

3. Dump ice over the food. Two bags of ice are usually sufficient, depending on the size of the cooler.

4. Keep the ice chest in the shade as much as possible. If it's in your car, try to find a shady parking spot. If it's outside, put it under a tree, awning or umbrella.

5. Decide what you're looking for in the cooler before you open it, and keep the lid shut as much as possible. Avoid lingering over the ice chest with the lid open.

6. Drain the cooler when a large amount of water collects in the bottom. Don't drain constantly, however, as just-melted ice water does contribute to the coolness of the ice chest.

7. Add more ice to the cooler when about half of the previous ice has melted.

Tips & Warnings

• Food that must be kept very cold, such as meat and milk, should be stored at the bottom of the cooler. More cold-sensitive food, such as produce, should be stored near the top of the cooler, away from direct contact with the ice.

• Be sure to package food in airtight containers or bags to prevent ice water from leaking in.