BajaNomad

Block ice in San Felipe

Toobman - 2-12-2014 at 08:40 AM

Does anyone know if I can get block ice and/or dry ice in San Felipe, or anywhere down along Hwy 5? This will be my first time taking this route.
I'm crossing over at Calexico this Sunday, and want to wait as long as possible before buying any ice!

Cheers!

nbacc - 2-12-2014 at 10:01 AM

I have never been able to find either in San Felipe, could not find dry ice in El Centro either maybe someone has it now though.

meme - 2-12-2014 at 10:45 AM

Yes, you can buy block ice at Ranch de Otro store on left on Hwy 5 as you go to San Felipe. Watch for it not far after you pass THE Diner, which will be on your right just past San Felipe storage.

Tacodawgtim - 2-12-2014 at 03:51 PM

You can also get block ice in town. If you go 3/4 around the round about and head down the street. About 3 blocks down on the left is a place that sells water and block ice...

mcfez - 2-12-2014 at 04:35 PM

:yes: You may have to ask for it...if there is none in the outside freezer
Quote:
Originally posted by meme
Yes, you can buy block ice at Ranch de Otro store on left on Hwy 5 as you go to San Felipe. Watch for it not far after you pass THE Diner, which will be on your right just past San Felipe storage.

Toobman - 2-12-2014 at 05:10 PM

Awesome! Thanks all!
Now the question is will they be open on a Sunday?

mcfez - 2-12-2014 at 06:08 PM

Always!
You'll find that this store is stocked with Americano foods.....brand names. Veggies there too as well as a over priced deli. State side newspapers. Walk down the to the Pizza place there in the same plaza and get a Pizza....I think they are good.

nbacc - 2-12-2014 at 06:20 PM

Thanks... now i know also!

David K - 2-12-2014 at 07:06 PM

If you want a chest full of ice, I recommend pre-cooling it before your trip and using U.S. block ice, packing it the day before you leave. If you go down with an empty chest, it will be warm, then you're packing it in the hot desert, with local ice (always melts faster/ isn't as 'cold' or frozen as solid), the results will be reduced.

Keep the ice only chest as covered and sealed as best as possible until you need to add ice to your food/ beer ice chest... which helps to keep out of the sun, and drained... limit how long the box is opened for getting food or drinks out of.

sancho - 2-13-2014 at 11:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Tacodawgtim
You can also get block ice in town. If you go 3/4 around the round about and head down the street. About 3 blocks down on the left is a place that sells water and block ice...




Have been to this place several times, as posted 5 blks
or so past the Arches as you come into SF from the
no., you come to a traffic circle, the first right goes
to Puerticitos, second goes into the Malecon area, take the third right, 3/4 around the circle, take that right
5 blks or so, there are 3/4 Reverse Osmo plants, on the left is a place
called Estrella Azul, I believe, they have block ice cut
to size, cubes, water, don't know if the blk. is made from
rev osmo water, but it is fine, no need to worry about
funky ice or getting it in the US, anyone that suggests that
has'nt been to this ice plant, as I REMEMBER I've never seen
it closed, as on a Sun., but not positive

[Edited on 2-13-2014 by sancho]

[Edited on 2-13-2014 by sancho]

Toobman - 2-13-2014 at 12:05 PM

Thanks for the insight into the finer points of packing a cooler:)
You got me thinking.

I can only carry one cooler at this time, so I am going to buy crushed ice at the border to keep the cooler pre-cooled. I will then buy block ice at the plant in San Felipe that sancho mentioned, and ride it out as long as it lasts. After that I'll be cooling my beer in a wet sock fanned by the wind.

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
If you want a chest full of ice, I recommend pre-cooling it before your trip and using U.S. block ice, packing it the day before you leave. If you go down with an empty chest, it will be warm, then you're packing it in the hot desert, with local ice (always melts faster/ isn't as 'cold' or frozen as solid), the results will be reduced.

Keep the ice only chest as covered and sealed as best as possible until you need to add ice to your food/ beer ice chest... which helps to keep out of the sun, and drained... limit how long the box is opened for getting food or drinks out of.

freediverbrian - 2-13-2014 at 12:19 PM

I like to get good quality ice from an ice house in the states. Cold clear ice will last twice as long as the cheap white supermarket ice

David K - 2-14-2014 at 10:40 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by freediverbrian
I like to get good quality ice from an ice house in the states. Cold clear ice will last twice as long as the cheap white supermarket ice


This...

We try to limit the amount of items that need refrigeration... pretty much milk for cereal, sandwich meat, juice and beer. Block ice plus crushed to fill any voids. We can go a close to a week if we are careful. We nearly always take two chests, one for beer (we buy in Mexico, naturally) and the other for food.

mcfez - 2-14-2014 at 11:33 AM

Take that cooler box and cover it top and bottom with your sleeping bag(s). More wraps...the better thermo effect. Make sure the cooler does not leak :o
Quote:
Originally posted by Toobman
Thanks for the insight into the finer points of packing a cooler:)
You got me thinking.

I can only carry one cooler at this time, so I am going to buy crushed ice at the border to keep the cooler pre-cooled. I will then buy block ice at the plant in San Felipe that sancho mentioned, and ride it out as long as it lasts. After that I'll be cooling my beer in a wet sock fanned by the wind.

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
If you want a chest full of ice, I recommend pre-cooling it before your trip and using U.S. block ice, packing it the day before you leave. If you go down with an empty chest, it will be warm, then you're packing it in the hot desert, with local ice (always melts faster/ isn't as 'cold' or frozen as solid), the results will be reduced.

Keep the ice only chest as covered and sealed as best as possible until you need to add ice to your food/ beer ice chest... which helps to keep out of the sun, and drained... limit how long the box is opened for getting food or drinks out of.

rzitren - 2-14-2014 at 11:39 PM

We buy the two and half gallon water jugs and freeze them before heading south. Each bottle gives you a twenty pound of block ice for about two or three dollars. Put them in a cooler with crushed ice around them and they will keep everything cold and as they thaw out you have cold drinking water or cut them open and use an ice pick for drink ice.

David K - 2-15-2014 at 12:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by rzitren
We buy the two and half gallon water jugs and freeze them before heading south. Each bottle gives you a twenty pound of block ice for about two or three dollars. Put them in a cooler with crushed ice around them and they will keep everything cold and as they thaw out you have cold drinking water or cut them open and use an ice pick for drink ice.


Great idea!

Toobman - 3-2-2014 at 09:15 AM

Back from my trip!

Got ice at this place, and it lasted a whole week! The only special care I took was keeping the cooler out of the sun and draining it twice a day.

Quote:
Originally posted by Tacodawgtim
You can also get block ice in town. If you go 3/4 around the round about and head down the street. About 3 blocks down on the left is a place that sells water and block ice...

woody with a view - 3-2-2014 at 09:33 AM

and for REALLY efficient use of your drain water put it in your SolarShower and use it to get the stink off after 3-4 days. i know i'm ready when my hair stands straight up and the salt crackles on my back hair (singular!).

David K - 3-2-2014 at 09:37 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Toobman
Back from my trip!

Got ice at this place, and it lasted a whole week! The only special care I took was keeping the cooler out of the sun and draining it twice a day.



Great to hear... Will there be a trip report coming??

Or you can skip the ice altogether .....

durrelllrobert - 3-2-2014 at 10:16 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
If you want a chest full of ice, I recommend pre-cooling it before your trip and using U.S. block ice, packing it the day before you leave. If you go down with an empty chest, it will be warm, then you're packing it in the hot desert, with local ice (always melts faster/ isn't as 'cold' or frozen as solid), the results will be reduced.

Keep the ice only chest as covered and sealed as best as possible until you need to add ice to your food/ beer ice chest... which helps to keep out of the sun, and drained... limit how long the box is opened for getting food or drinks out of.


..and buy one of these at Home Depot online:


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Description:

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David K - 3-2-2014 at 10:19 AM

Not good if you don't have electricity or aren't driving every day. Now, if you find one that also runs on propane, that would be the ticket. 4baja had one many years ago that ran on 110v, 12v, and propane.

Bob H - 3-2-2014 at 10:29 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K

We nearly always take two chests, one for beer (we buy in Mexico, naturally) and the other for food.


Which ice chest is larger? :lol: