How to Buy a Styrofoam Cooler
Styrofoam coolers are very popular due to their lightweight construction and ability to keep contents cold when packed with ice or ice packs. They are very common for packing meat, fish and other heavy items that need to be kept cool for transport. While some companies give away Styrofoam coolers with large purchases, most coolers are purchased from local stores or companies. Buying a cooler is rarely hard, but the quality of the cooler will vary greatly by store.
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Instructions
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Check local sporting goods, hardware or camping stores, which are likely to have a supply of coolers on hand for fisherman and hunters who may field-dress their finds. Look for a sturdy cooler with a sturdy carrying strap or handle.
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Visit local supermarkets and convenience stores. While sporting goods locations usually have higher quality goods, these stores will have better prices. Carefully inspect the coolers for cracks as they may have been mishandled and any cracks will lead to leaks.
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Purchase the right size of cooler for the job at hand. The larger the cooler is, the more ice you will need to pack inside to keep the contents fresh. More ice results in more cost and a heavier cooler, which can spell disaster for backpackers or off-trail hunters.
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Tips & Warnings
Cracks may appear in the handle, strap or the cooler itself over time. Replace damaged handles or straps quickly to prevent accidental spills. Cooler cracks may be patched with duct tape when on the road, but the entire cooler should be replaced as soon as possible.
Many areas prohibit the coolers in national parks or on public lands. This is due to the likelihood of their being left behind and becoming litter or a hazard to wildlife. Check with the National Park Service at NPS.gov for rules before departing.
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Comments
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The thing to keep in mind is that comparing a thick wall foam cooler (found at sporting goods stores, etc.) with cheap, flimsy, thin-wall foam coolers found at some of the bigger department stores isn't a good comparison. The type of foam cooler found at, say, Walmart, is called a Promotional Foam Cooler, and is often the thinnest, least reliable type - the kind associated with frustrating breakage, ones people assume they're going to use once (if that) and throw into the garbage. The higher quality foam coolers (nobody makes Styrofoam coolers - they are EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) Foam Coolers these days) are made with thicker walls and denser foam with carefully engineered construction. High quality foam coolers are reusable and should last for many years. As long as they are not sprayed with toxic painted logos and such, they are 100% recyclable, so even if through some accident they are damaged, there's no need to throw them away, but take them to a recycling resource where they can be rendered into usable material. The best way to shop for a foam cooler is to think long term rather than as an impulse buy. Why throw away money on a lousy foam cooler when you can buy something that serves your needs for a long time? Why buy something that goes in the trash when you can buy a foam cooler that serves many uses from simple thermal protection to keep food hot or cold, to using them for shipping temperature-sensitive items or even for storing things at home? So, if your shopping for a foam cooler, don't go for cheap - go for the good stuff.
