Can anyone recommend a small coolbox? In an ideal world, I'd like something like the Igloo Maxcold 40, but I can't see how we'd get that in the boot along with all our gear.
Are the normal Igloo boxes worth paying the extra for? I suspect an Ice Cube 48 may just about fit in the boot, and the Family 36 or Picnic basket definately will. Are the trunk type Coleman coolboxes on a par?
I think most of the "normal" coolboxes are out of the question - most are very tall and narrow, which would stop the boot lid shutting.
Icey Tek high performance cool boxes are cube shaped rather than brick shaped so might work better for you? I have just back from a week of continuous sunshine and high temperatures in Cornwall and my Icey Tek 25 litre box was brilliant. It was very pricey but I couldn't find another of high performance cool box as small as this.
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I've got to be honest, there's absolutely no way I'd pay Icey Tek's prices. I've bought cars cheaper than some of their coolboxes
I suspect there must be some sort of edge for the Igloo kit simply because most coolboxes that I've seen only have a 1 inch air gap between inner and outer to insulate them...
Have to say Igloo are brilliant. We have been using them for yrs in US. They were so cheap we would buy at start of hols use during and then leave at end.....wish now we had brought one home(most we paid was $8)
We have a 3 way (very good, very big)but need a coolbox for short breaks so am on look out at mo. Will probably just get a cheapish one from Tesco / Asda ??
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I think that would be too tall to go in my boot. I suspect the only option is a Coleman or Igloo "chest" shaped box - almost all European coolboxes are of the tall and skinny variety.
Quote: Originally posted by gtijon on 09/6/2009
I've got to be honest, there's absolutely no way I'd pay Icey Tek's prices. ....
Well, I said they were expensive! I dithered for months then bit the bullet as there was no way I wanted a 40 litre or more coolbox and Icey Tek are the only company I can find who make a smaller high performance box. Last week the box performed better than I could have hoped for, even at that price, in very hot weather - so, I guess you get what I pay for. And in this case its a high quality product which delivers on its promises in the size I want
I guess your other choices are to buy a bigger box or one with lesser performance.
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
Did you get the Iceytek coolbox from the Iceytek website? I have been searching for a better price but am I right in thinking they are the sole UK supplier?
Like you I want a small size and if they work as well as you say then I might just consider investing.
I've read reviews which sound great...if they are in good condition after years of use on a fishing charter boat then one will probably last me a lifetime! A campsite I visit charges 50p PER ice pack which is a little eyewatering especially if we get some warm weather this summer....I'm thinking if they work that well then I will save pounds over each two week holiday through using a lot less ice packs! I've used cheap ones and they are next to usless in any heat unless you constantly change packs.
As you say, the main problem is the Igloos and other good makes don't come in a small size.
Yes, I bought my cool box direct from Icey Tek - and it did cost an arm and a leg!
But, I just used the new cool box for a week in continuous hot, sunny weather in Cornwall. I prepped the box with a £1 bag of supermarket ice the night before I went away, then put in chilled food and drink plus a couple of litre bottles of frozen water in the morning before setting off. I put a layer of bubble wrap over the contents inside the box (to hold the cold air down), put a cold,wet towel over the box during the day and added one further bag of supermarket ice while I was away. That is all. No ice bricks at all. Everything stayed really, really cold and when I got home at the end of the week there were still some bits of ice inside the original bottles of water.
I call that a result.
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
PS The Icey Tek is a very expensive luxury but it is simple, effective, improves my camping experience and generally gives me pleasure. I think it would be very easy to spend a lot more on the latest camping gadgets and furniture and get a lot less added value for your money. But that's my personal view.
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
I am seriously considering it as I don't have EHU and have spent enough over the years on useless coolboxes and I do find it irritating to be permanently running backwards and forwards in the heat (distant memory I know!) with packs or having food wasted after it's been prematurely 'cooked' in the box.
I don't spend much on anything else....Mmmmmm.....I'll probably dither as long as you!
Should add that I am, I guess, in the happy position of having been camping now for a number of years so I am not trying to make a start up budget spread over all the essentials. Instead, I am choosing to spend money very specifically on something I know (hope!) will perform better and suit our style of camping better than existing kit.
There are a lot of other things which some people would class as essential which I just don't 'get', so you could also say I'm saving a fortune by not buying those things
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
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Topic: Small coolboxes?
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