I need a new largish coolbox of the non-powered variety (no hookup).
What I really want is something wich will keep the contents cool for at least 48 hours - more preferably, as the campsite we usually use has poor facility for re-freezing blocks.
got a solid box as the soft bag type can get squashed. 4 ice blocks in for traveling and the first day, any longer and i usually have a trip to the local shopping centre and buy bags of ice ( pre frozen ) that lasts another day or two depending on the weather
aslong as it`s a good quality box you shouldnt have a problem, but check the seal on the lid before purchase - our first one had a warped lid
I've seen a Coleman Coolbox in our local camping shop which will keep things cold for 3 days. Had a look at their website but its not listed. I'm sure I'll be up there again soon so I'll get the details. I think it cost about £29.95
Freeze your milk (apart from one pint to use when you get there), and freeze anything else you won't need straight away. Fill a 2 ltr coke bottle with water to about 2" from the top and freeze that (a bottle of frozen water will stay frozen much longer than freezer blocks).
Add all the frozen stuff to the cool box just before you leave home, and it'll stay fresh for 3-4 days
The freezing thing is such good advice. It sounds so obvious but I only started to do it recently and it really works! Although I was a bit worried when a friend told me that you should not freeze bottles of water because the freezing process does something to the plastic and seeps into the water....
Coleman coolboxes are excellent. Beware of cheapo ones as they may have less insulation or have a less tight fitting lid and so be much less effective - I know because we started off with a freebie coolbox and it was rubbish! MT
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
I have a Thermos one that we call 'the fridge'(we freeze a 2-litres bottle and put in there with everything that is not frozen but has to be kept cool) and an Asda one with everything that has been frozen. Newspaper is an excellent insulator, we put a few sheets at the botton and a few at the top. We went camping for a week and only bought 5 ice bags.