How to Make a Homemade Ice Chest

Ice chests are necessary in summer months to carry cold drinks and food. You don't need to buy an expensive ice chest. You can make an ice chest with simple ingredients you have around the house. You can use a homemade ice chest for a beach party, a 4th of July party, or a backyard bbq. A paper bag ice chest is easy to carry and you can recycle it when you are done.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• paper bag
• newspaper
• ice
• towel

1. Get a sturdy paper bag. Line it with a plastic bag or place a plastic bag on the bottom, to prevent leakage into your homemade ice chest. Place a towel into the bottom of the ice chest.

2. Line the paper bag with newspaper in your paper bag ice chest. About 50 sheets. Use entire sections from the Sunday paper. Line the bag on the bottom about two to three inches thick. Line the sides with an entire section of the paper as well. You will need to have about an inch on the sides at least. Open some of the pages so they go all the way around.

3. Buy ice in plastic bag and put it in the bottom of your homemade ice chest. If you make your own ice, place it in a zip lock bag that does not leak.

4. When you pack your food or drinks into your ice chest, cover with a towel and roll the top of the paper over, and you will have a homemade cooler to keep your drinks and food cool.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that the container your ice is in is leak proof.
• Recycle your paper ice chest when you are done with it.
• Do not allow foods containing mayonnaise to cool to room temperature.

[Butterfli]

on 6/25/2009 Very cool idea! Thanks!

[sonni57]

on 6/22/2009 Good article on making an ice chest I've never done it.

[bossypants]

on 6/21/2009 Great idea for an on-the-go ice chest! Thanks!