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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9009
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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I dont see that on their website. Is it an instore sale?
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redhilltown
Super Nomad
Posts: 1130
Registered: 1-24-2009
Location: Long Beach, CA
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I'll add a vote to the Coleman Xtreme coolers...many many years of great service while my mates have changed often. Only possible drawback is they
dont have a secure latch (or mine doesn't) and the coyotes one year at Gonzaga Bay learned to bite into the top to lift it up...teeth marks still
there and it is a good reminder to buckle up at night when it comes to those hungry lil beasts!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64749
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Coleman Xtreme is what we have also... 90ºF+ temps can go 5 days using block ice for food and 3 days using crushed ice for drinks. Keep them in shade
or covered if possible, limit open times, drain melted ice daily. The ratio is about 50% of the space is ice and the rest is food or drinks. Pre-cool
drinks to reduce instant ice melt on day 1.
If in Baja longer than 5 days, if you are in a town big enough to have an ice plant, add block ice for longest life... Mexican store crushed/bag ice
lasts only a day.
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bajalearner
Senior Nomad
Posts: 670
Registered: 8-24-2010
Location: Tijuana
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The coolest;
If he can keep the price high enough, he might sell to some yuppies who will display them in their garages. ridicules, I'm out.
[Edited on 12-5-2014 by bajalearner]
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9009
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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I have a 62 quart Coleman Xtreme that I use to keep frozen bottles on the boat while fishing. They go into an insulated kill bag on the back as I dont
have any below deck/hatch means of storing fish. It's got wheels on it, too. I am happy with the way it keeps ice. A good block of ice WILL last five
days in 90 degrees.
And, for the price (~50.00), I could buy 4-6 of them for the cost of a similar sized Yeti or Pelican.
But, truthfully, I have gotten away from much cooler camping. We live out of a Lance 1030 for almost three months in the summer. A six cu/f absorption
fridge for food and an Engel-type 45 quart compressor fridge for ALL the drinks. We only have a single gp 31 AGM battery but have a 140 watt solar
panel that more than keeps up with everything. Unlike some, our Dometic propane absorption fridge works great, consistently keeps air at about 55-60
degrees colder than ambient temps. If it's below 85, I have to turn it down.
If I was embarking on outfitting myself with a cooler camping setup these days, I would certainly consider going with a 45-65 qt. compressor fridge, a
collapsible, foldable solar panel that I could set out somewhere (probably an 80 watt one) and upgrading your car/truck battery. It's really nice not
having to deal with ice! We havent bought ice in three years of living on the road. BUT we can make regular sized cubes in the absorption fridge
freezer. Gotta have ice for hora feliz. But I am never having to deal with or worry about melted ice water or where to get ice next. We are remote
campers.
I have never understood how people can live out of a 65 quart ice chest for more than a weekend. There just isnt enough room for drinks, food AND ice
in something that small, if you are staying out more than three days. Not for us, anyway.
So, to continue with getting re-started with cooler camping scenario, I would also carry a small 35-50 quart Xtreme-type cooler for block(s) of ice
and put the food in there. Blocks last so much longer and can be chipped at for ice in drinks.
AND MAKE THE BLOCKS YOURSELF IF YOU CAN. Commercial block ice these days is not that cold. Often, it's only about 20 degrees. Ice kept at zero degrees
F lasts much longer. You want that clear and solid look, if you can get it.
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8084
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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Here is a ranking of the coolers being discussed:
http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Cooler-Reviews
You get what you pay for.
[Edited on 12-5-2014 by Skipjack Joe]
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redhilltown
Super Nomad
Posts: 1130
Registered: 1-24-2009
Location: Long Beach, CA
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Quote: Originally posted by David K  | Coleman Xtreme is what we have also... 90ºF+ temps can go 5 days using block ice for food and 3 days using crushed ice for drinks. Keep them in shade
or covered if possible, limit open times, drain melted ice daily. The ratio is about 50% of the space is ice and the rest is food or drinks. Pre-cool
drinks to reduce instant ice melt on day 1.
If in Baja longer than 5 days, if you are in a town big enough to have an ice plant, add block ice for longest life... Mexican store crushed/bag ice
lasts only a day. |
Block ice is the key...maybe even more than the cooler? I try to buy it at a real ice company and guy once explained to me that even all block ice
isn't the same (you can buy smaller ones at the market). If you have two coolers and the space, you can double up on the block ice and tape it
shut...I will also put some bags of frozen veggies in there...sure they will thaw but will be fine to use for a few days at least. I also hate hate
hate food getting ruined by ice water so I always have a large tupperware container of some sort that I put the food in and maybe some frozen water
bottles...keeps the food dry. You can easily go 5-7 days like this. If you have warm beer or wine, you can drain off the water and pre chilled them
before adding to the cooler...I realize the horrors or rookie violations of having warm beer, but it does happen now and then!!!!!
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9009
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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My God, 265.00-345.00 dollars for a 45 QUART ICE CHEST!!????? Actually, it's not even 45 quarts.........all the insulation makes it only a 38 quart
capacity. Ridiburrous!
The Xtreme 62 takes the value crown in this competition.
Igloo is now making some Yeti knock-offs. Wonder how they perform?
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
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| Quote: Originally posted by Hook | I have a 62 quart Coleman Xtreme that I use to keep frozen bottles on the boat while fishing. They go into an insulated kill bag on the back as I dont
have any below deck/hatch means of storing fish. It's got wheels on it, too. I am happy with the way it keeps ice. A good block of ice WILL last five
days in 90 degrees.
And, for the price (~50.00), I could buy 4-6 of them for the cost of a similar sized Yeti or Pelican.
But, truthfully, I have gotten away from much cooler camping. We live out of a Lance 1030 for almost three months in the summer. A six cu/f absorption
fridge for food and an Engel-type 45 quart compressor fridge for ALL the drinks. We only have a single gp 31 AGM battery but have a 140 watt solar
panel that more than keeps up with everything. Unlike some, our Dometic propane absorption fridge works great, consistently keeps air at about 55-60
degrees colder than ambient temps. If it's below 85, I have to turn it down.
If I was embarking on outfitting myself with a cooler camping setup these days, I would certainly consider going with a 45-65 qt. compressor fridge, a
collapsible, foldable solar panel that I could set out somewhere (probably an 80 watt one) and upgrading your car/truck battery. It's really nice not
having to deal with ice! We havent bought ice in three years of living on the road. BUT we can make regular sized cubes in the absorption fridge
freezer. Gotta have ice for hora feliz. But I am never having to deal with or worry about melted ice water or where to get ice next. We are remote
campers.
I have never understood how people can live out of a 65 quart ice chest for more than a weekend. There just isnt enough room for drinks, food AND ice
in something that small, if you are staying out more than three days. Not for us, anyway.
So, to continue with getting re-started with cooler camping scenario, I would also carry a small 35-50 quart Xtreme-type cooler for block(s) of ice
and put the food in there. Blocks last so much longer and can be chipped at for ice in drinks.
AND MAKE THE BLOCKS YOURSELF IF YOU CAN. Commercial block ice these days is not that cold. Often, it's only about 20 degrees. Ice kept at zero degrees
F lasts much longer. You want that clear and solid look, if you can get it. |
X2 on the Engel. We have been
running our Engel 24/7 for 5 years, it's great for traveling, and we use it as a freezer in the house.
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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Hook
Elite Nomad
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Does anyone make a thermoelectric with a sawafuji or danfoss compressor that has a freezer section and a cooler section? Of, say, at least 45 quarts?
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8084
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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| Quote: Originally posted by Hook |
My God, 265.00-345.00 dollars for a 45 QUART ICE CHEST!!????? Actually, it's not even 45 quarts.........all the insulation makes it only a 38 quart
capacity. Ridiburrous!
The Xtreme 62 takes the value crown in this competition.
Igloo is now making some Yeti knock-offs. Wonder how they perform?
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Why then is Igloo making a Yeti knock off?
It's like we used to say about buying a high quality fly reel
"You cry only once".
We car camped this year in alaska, IN ALASKA, and had to add ice to our coleman every other day. When you add the cost of mileage looking for a tienda
to buy ice it slowly starts to tip towards the Yeti. And the inconvenience of making ice runs.
Not everyone wants to drive a 3/4 ton truck with a Lance camper on it's back.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9009
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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"Not everyone wants to drive a 3/4 ton truck with a Lance camper on it's back."
Absolutely. But I dont bring an ice chest when I am in that rig. No need with the built-in absorption unit and the compressor fridge.
If that was a Coleman Xtreme that you used in AK, something else was going on. Frequent openings, high ambient temps in a vehicle, adding warm foods
and beverages each day, something.
There's no way you are buying ice every other day with an Xtreme, unless the ice was just crappy ice.
I'm sure the Yeti is a better ice chest..........but, then, it better be for the price. The Yeti Tundra 45 is running about 7.80 per quart of
capacity. The Coleman Xtreme 62 runs about 1.30 per quart. Prices based on purchase on Amazon. That's exactly six times more expensive per unit of
capacity.
According to the rating above, the Yeti keeps ice for less than 20% longer than the Xtreme.
Amazingly, the Xtreme 62 is only 47.99 on Amazon and Prime members get free two-day shipping. That's a great deal for a 62 quart, multi day ice
chest.........with wheels. Figure that you probably will have to replace the hinges in a couple years on the Xtreme, though.
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8084
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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Yes I am aware that one is 5 times the cost of the other but it's a one time cost. The ice has to be refilled repeatedly through the life of the
cooler. If you are refilling it 20% more often the cost in gas to make purchase trips will make up that difference. I don't how long that will take
and am too lazy to do the math.
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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Hook,
Where do you keep the Engel-type fridge when on the road?
Ken
| Quote: Originally posted by Hook | I have a 62 quart Coleman Xtreme that I use to keep frozen bottles on the boat while fishing. They go into an insulated kill bag on the back as I dont
have any below deck/hatch means of storing fish. It's got wheels on it, too. I am happy with the way it keeps ice. A good block of ice WILL last five
days in 90 degrees.
And, for the price (~50.00), I could buy 4-6 of them for the cost of a similar sized Yeti or Pelican.
But, truthfully, I have gotten away from much cooler camping. We live out of a Lance 1030 for almost three months in the summer. A six cu/f absorption
fridge for food and an Engel-type 45 quart compressor fridge for ALL the drinks. We only have a single gp 31 AGM battery but have a 140 watt solar
panel that more than keeps up with everything. Unlike some, our Dometic propane absorption fridge works great, consistently keeps air at about 55-60
degrees colder than ambient temps. If it's below 85, I have to turn it down.
If I was embarking on outfitting myself with a cooler camping setup these days, I would certainly consider going with a 45-65 qt. compressor fridge, a
collapsible, foldable solar panel that I could set out somewhere (probably an 80 watt one) and upgrading your car/truck battery. It's really nice not
having to deal with ice! We havent bought ice in three years of living on the road. BUT we can make regular sized cubes in the absorption fridge
freezer. Gotta have ice for hora feliz. But I am never having to deal with or worry about melted ice water or where to get ice next. We are remote
campers.
I have never understood how people can live out of a 65 quart ice chest for more than a weekend. There just isnt enough room for drinks, food AND ice
in something that small, if you are staying out more than three days. Not for us, anyway.
So, to continue with getting re-started with cooler camping scenario, I would also carry a small 35-50 quart Xtreme-type cooler for block(s) of ice
and put the food in there. Blocks last so much longer and can be chipped at for ice in drinks.
AND MAKE THE BLOCKS YOURSELF IF YOU CAN. Commercial block ice these days is not that cold. Often, it's only about 20 degrees. Ice kept at zero degrees
F lasts much longer. You want that clear and solid look, if you can get it. |
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Pacifico
Super Nomad
Posts: 1299
Registered: 5-26-2008
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I bought an Igloo Yukon cooler. A little pricey, but in this case I think you definitely get what you pay for. It has the thick walls and lid, sealed
lid, and beefy hinges. So far, I'm very happy with it's performance. I've put frozen fish in it and covered the fish in ice for the trip home from
Baja and it actually turns into a giant frozen block by the time I get home! Makes it difficult to get the vacuum packed bags of fish out of the ice,
but I can live with that!
"Plan your life as if you are going to live forever. Live your life as if you are going to die tomorrow." - Carlos Fiesta
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MMc
Super Nomad
Posts: 1679
Registered: 6-29-2011
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Mood: Current
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Pacifico, try a sheet of wax paper between the layers.
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W.C.Fields
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Pacifico
Super Nomad
Posts: 1299
Registered: 5-26-2008
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Great idea! Thanks MMc!
"Plan your life as if you are going to live forever. Live your life as if you are going to die tomorrow." - Carlos Fiesta
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MMc
Super Nomad
Posts: 1679
Registered: 6-29-2011
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The idea here is to have a dry layer between the frozen stuff. If have have a Popsicle that's wet outside it's wraper and freeze next to another one,
the water binds the 2 together. If there is a layer of dry in between the Popsicles they come apart. Same idea, most folks load up the chest and there
is a little water (sweat) between the packages and they freeze the water between and it's just like glue. Sometimes we use 2 layers of wax paper and
make sure the insides stays dry.
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W.C.Fields
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9009
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Remember that I travel in a truck with a camper on the back. It's a fairly large camper and it goes on a counter in the kitchen area that is just made
for one of these. I have a bungee that keeps it in place.
If I dont have the camper on, I keep it on the bench seat in the extra cab portion of my truck.
You really cannot consider having a thermoelectric type cooler unless you are committed to driving a few hours every other day OR if you have solar.
Or, if you are staying on the grid all the time. My F-350 has TWO batteries and one trip, I caught a bunch of dorado and filled the thing with
vacuumed sealed fillets and froze them. It eventually did freeze them solid after about 36 hours of probably continuous running. But on the third day,
when I tried to start my truck, no go.
The 45 Engels draw about 2.1 amps @12v when they are running. Someone else can figure out the minimum sized solar panel to keep ahead of that draw.
On the road, I generally turn my Engel off at night. It makes up the loss in temp in an hour.
[Edited on 12-7-2014 by Hook]
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