Simple cooler upgrades

[Pabst]

I recently built a big cooler out of 2" thick styrofoam insulation and fiberglass. I may redo it for a few reasons but one thing I did with the scraps I had left over was build an inner cooler, which fits inside the main cooler.

The inner cooler is made of 2 layers of 2" insulation, which makes for walls 4" thick. It was cut to fit inside my cooler, meaning a total of 6" of styrofoam. I haven't tested it to see how long it will keep ice but I would think a week in hot weather shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Redwing]

I recently built a big cooler out of 2" thick styrofoam insulation and fiberglass. I may redo it for a few reasons but one thing I did with the scraps I had left over was build an inner cooler, which fits inside the main cooler.

The inner cooler is made of 2 layers of 2" insulation, which makes for walls 4" thick. It was cut to fit inside my cooler, meaning a total of 6" of styrofoam. I haven't tested it to see how long it will keep ice but I would think a week in hot weather shouldn't be a problem.

Would love to see pictures of that cooler if you're willing to share any.

Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk

 

[Pabst]

Would love to see pictures of that cooler if you're willing to share any.

Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk

Happy to post a few pics just won't be able to get to it for a few days

 

[Stealth-X]

So 5 of these or a smaller yetti cooler Good choice.

 

[BKehoe05]

I’m super impressed with the mods! Genius!

 

[BKehoe05]

Build the pvc rack the same as you would any irrigation system. Tees, caps, 90's etc., all watertight. In place of one slip on cap, install a threaded plug. Fill the pvc "rack" 70% full of water and freeze it. Kill two birds one stone, a reusable ice pack that keeps your meat off the wet bottom. If your freezers won't fit a rack that size, build two smaller ones and lay them side by side

I am totally in on this idea. Actually maybe just Pex tubing would work frozen as well as long as it was a predetermined shape.

 

[BKehoe05]

I’ve got a stash of firehose if anyone is in the market for hinge material. I would be happy to put together a little kit.

I could always use some!

 

[dubbeltap69]

Gonna have to try the non expanding foam idea. Thanks for that.

I do normally put a sheet of camping mat foam over the ice and it does help some. Anything to separate the ice from the warm air above it.

 

[Mosby]

I buy really good coolers and put cool stickers on the outside to make It look even.....cooler.

Then I fill it and put a wool blanket over the top when in use.

 

[TrendyRendy]

Great mods

 

[SteveBurton]

Nice mods. I'm going to do the PVC base in my cheap Lifetime cooler.

 

[CapnKM]

I did a one piece stitched together reflectix liner for mine that gets pulled out for cleaning. Then I like to do the frozen gallon bottles for block ice and frozen smaller water bottles to fill in the gaps and provide drinking bottles as we go. Don't have to worry about food floating when all the water is contained. Also had the weather bulb seal around the lid but it let go after a few trips and didn't bother to redo it. All this extended ice retention from a day or two out to about five days.

Definitely like the idea of foam filling the lid

 

[CapnKM]

Also for any of you fellers that have tried the reflectix cover on the outside of the cooler, how well does it work for you and how well does it hold up? My coolers get kinda beat up in the back of my truck so I'd imagine that cover would get thrashed pretty quick.

 

[BingenBongo]

Really like the PVC mod. I often see people disregard the simple things (leaving cooler in the sun all day and not in the shade).

I generally keep contractor bags in my pack for packing out meat, then the meat stays in those bags when it goes to the cooler to help with this problem as well.

 

[JeffP_Or]

I have a smaller Coleman Marine cooler that I did some of the 'upgrades' to; I find the Marine coolers kind of like the Xtreme models - a bit better than run of the mill coolers but still cost effective. They also seem to be insulated lids which is a bonus. This one smaller cooler has those can holders in the lid though - which we all know makes a thin area of no or little insulation. So I 'fixed' that:

Had some foiled faced rigid insulation laying around - 1" I believe - from a house project. Cut into that and made insulated fillers for the can holes. Perfect thickness. Sealed the edges with silicone.


Picked up jack nuts [see post #45] and countersunk stainless machine screws [hex head] and a white polythylene cutting board.


Cut the board to fit the raised area of the cooler lid which also covers the insulation filled can holes.


Drilled the corners of the board and cooler lid to get holes aligned; installed the jack nuts in the lid. Countersunk the holes in the board for the machine screws; ran a bead of silicone around the perimeter and assembled it all.


Now, no thin insulation spots on the lid and I have a small cutting board.

 

[Rucksomemore]

I have a smaller Coleman Marine cooler that I did some of the 'upgrades' to; I find the Marine coolers kind of like the Xtreme models - a bit better than run of the mill coolers but still cost effective. They also seem to be insulated lids which is a bonus. This one smaller cooler has those can holders in the lid though - which we all know makes a thin area of no or little insulation. So I 'fixed' that:

Had some foiled faced rigid insulation laying around - 1" I believe - from a house project. Cut into that and made insulated fillers for the can holes. Perfect thickness. Sealed the edges with silicone.
View attachment 736724

Picked up jack nuts [see post #45] and countersunk stainless machine screws [hex head] and a white polythylene cutting board.
View attachment 736725

Cut the board to fit the raised area of the cooler lid which also covers the insulation filled can holes.
View attachment 736726

Drilled the corners of the board and cooler lid to get holes aligned; installed the jack nuts in the lid. Countersunk the holes in the board for the machine screws; ran a bead of silicone around the perimeter and assembled it all.
View attachment 736727
View attachment 736729
Now, no thin insulation spots on the lid and I have a small cutting board.

That turned out great! Any noticeable difference in how long it holds ice with the extra insulation and cutting board?

 

[JeffP_Or]

That turned out great! Any noticeable difference in how long it holds ice with the extra insulation and cutting board?

I only just did the mods this past weekend so have not used the cooler yet; I don't expect an appreciable/noticeable change but I think every little thing will help. Especially think so because the lid takes the brunt of the sun during travel and boating etc - covering has always helped so this should as well - plus the extra thickness of the cutting board [not to mention the handy cutting prep surface].

 

[Rucksomemore]

I only just did the mods this past weekend so have not used the cooler yet; I don't expect an appreciable/noticeable change but I think every little thing will help. Especially think so because the lid takes the brunt of the sun during travel and boating etc - covering has always helped so this should as well - plus the extra thickness of the cutting board [not to mention the handy cutting prep surface].

Gotcha. I've got one that doesn't have insulation in the lid that I'm going to fill and add a cutting board. Hoping it makes a noticeable difference

 

[JeffP_Or]

Gotcha. I've got one that doesn't have insulation in the lid that I'm going to fill and add a cutting board. Hoping it makes a noticeable difference

From no insulation to insulation - you should see a difference. Be sure to get a good drill/fill procedure going.

The marine cooler above had an insulated lid so I only filled the cup holders.

 

[rayporter]

cutting board is a great idea

my coolers are all cut up on top