We might try the silver blanket thing as we have a paleish blue fabric electric cool bag/box, but this wont be plugged in during the night, only the day in the car when we go out and about.
However I like the idea in the other thread about freezing some products, like milk or orange juice and letting that defrost over a few days which will keep the box cool. I also thought that it would be nice to put frozen portions of stew, curry or chilli in tubs and they will defrost in time for the evening or second evenings meal, just need heating up.
I also like this cool box which isnt electric but is white, and very pretty!!
Quote: Originally posted by tiacat on 30/7/2013
We might try the silver blanket thing as we have a paleish blue fabric electric cool bag/box, but this wont be plugged in during the night, only the day in the car when we go out and about.
However I like the idea in the other thread about freezing some products, like milk or orange juice and letting that defrost over a few days which will keep the box cool. I also thought that it would be nice to put frozen portions of stew, curry or chilli in tubs and they will defrost in time for the evening or second evenings meal, just need heating up.
I also like this cool box which isnt electric but is white, and very pretty!!
Quote: Originally posted by tiacat on 30/7/2013
My god its the same box by the looks of it, for about 40 quid less!
Yep it is. Not sure how good this style of cool box really is though. Maybe more style than substance? If I were going to spend £60 on a cool box then I would seriously look at the Coleman Extreme 5 day cooler which can be purchased for £48.97 if you have a Go Outdoors card. Unfortunately it doesn't look as funky but it works really well...
Its been a great discussion and as a closing piece I have to say - I agree!
If you can get a really well insulated cool box like the Coleman Extreme for less than £50 then go for it. I think you'll find it far more effective than a lesser insulated electric box with rather weak cooling ability.
Draping your cool box with a wet towel is a very effective way of stopping the box exterior heating up.
Draping the box with a silver foil blanket is also very effective at keeping the exterior cool but as we have seen it can cause unintended consequences such as global warming and nuclear war.
So summing up
a) Buy a good box in the first place
b) a good insulated box is far better than a cheap electric box
c) A wet blanket will help your cheap cool box stay cool without the risk of nuclear war
d) if you've got a cheap box and don't care about nuclear war, a silver blanket is worth a try ...and it only costs £1
Guys, no I am not a rocket scientist but I am an engineer.
The next time you see Heathrow on the news you'll probably see shots of the control tower. I was part of the tower design team who had to work out how you keep a team of air traffic controllers comfortable in a glass house ....and its not just a matter of blowing cold air at them! A fascinating challenge that takes one into the world of radiant vs air temperature.
Just back from a rather warm weekend away with one of our clubs. Having read the thread about wrapping the cool box with silver foil I took a roll with us with the intention of doing so. No need as the Kampa Evo kept cool all weekend with a 3l bottle of frozen water inside.
We're away next week and the foil will come with us again and I will wrap the box and see how it works.