Message Forums

I got a cool box from Asda for £7 for our last camping break and it worked great, if its just a cheap one you want. If you want to splash out then get an electric cool box which keeps food cool for much longer.

Hope that helps.

Happy campin!

I've got an electric coolbox and would highly recommend it. Even if you're not using electric in the tent you can still run it off your car battery during the day while you're out and about. Overnight you can either just rely on it being cold enough outside to keep it at the right temp or use a freezer pack as you would with a normal box.

They all seem to come with the cigarette lighter attachment, but not all of them come with the mains plug equipment so if you're wanting to run it off the mains then just check you've got all the stuff you need. I bought that separately, think it was £15.

I personally would not risk food reaching above 8 deg C by not hooking up a cool box overnight, hence I always have EHU now.

As for a cooler, solids beat soft sides for durability IMHO, and I swear by my trusted Coleman and CampingGaz 28L thermoelectric cool boxes:

http://www.intertent.co.uk/product_864-6-14_PowerBox-28L-Deluxe---Thermo-Electric-Cooler.htm

DK

With a bit of forethought, there is no need for electric to keep things cool for a family long weekend. Freeze any meals ahead and pack in the reverse order so you don't have to take everything out. Freeze milk in 1 pint containers and pack in a solid block so you just take out what you need and again can leave everything else undisturbed.

If you have the space, have a cool box for the 'frozen stuff' to keep largely undisturbed until needed, and then use just one of the frozen milks each day as an 'ice-pack' in a separate 'chilled' bag to keep things cool.

Don't leave the cool box in a hot tent during the day, but leave ideally in the shade and in a breeze. Even better thoroughly soak an old towel with water and drape over the cool box.

Using this method I have had to remember to take the bacon out to defrost the night before after 5 days!!