Coolers: Fibreglass vs. Poly

try the "fibreglass is more hygienic" angle

Scott,

Without a doubt, the Evakool is a great ice box. We use 2 litre milk containers as ice blocks and it lasts for 3-5 days depending on how much you open it. In conjunction with our three-way fridge in the trailer, we can freeze a block or two overnight and continue to keep the Evakool kool.

Scott

I have both.

The fibreglass has the smell, not the poly,

Anyway, go the poly. Cheaper, more durable and as far as I can see just as good insulation. Poly is really no bulkier and not any heavier. It doesnt smell and does not crack.

Seanb

I have a 100lt Weaco glass ice box, keeps party ice for around 4 - 5 days.

Imagine block ice will last longer, just haven't tried it yet.

Easy to clean, but yes more prone to marks, scratches etc.

Have a look at the Weaco seconds and superceded website for a bargain, I got mine for $240, dropped from $420 because it was the superceded model.

Fibreglass will definitely retain its shape for a lot longer!
Poly is more likely to deform & then be hard to maintain a good lid seal.

EvaKool make both a Fibreglass and Poly , so there has to be a reason behind it.

I have a 65l Waeco Icebox , and its sensational. Party Ice for 4 or 5 days easily , and block ice for a week or more.

MInd you , the reason I bought the Waeco and NOT a Tropical Poly Box , was price. I got my icebox for $200 (reduced from $350) because it had a ding in it. The same size tropical was about the same price (but didn't have one when I needed it).

We bought an IceCool poly ice box don't know who makes it and don't really care, we chose because of price and toughness cant see the sence in paying 3 times the price for the Evakool when this is as good.

Thanks for your help everybody! I'm sure it will come down to price (as most things do) but I'll keep my eye out for a bargain.

Cheers, Scott

Poly is way more durable. My poly box (Tropical - the orange ones) keeps ice for up to a week. It bounces around in the trailer all the time and doesnt have a ding in it. Fiberglass has a nice finish but you'll spend a lot more time worrying about it!

You can also try Engel iceboxes. Plastic Iceboxes are also susceptable to UV degradation, wheras fibreglass will not deform or embrittle when exposed to light for a long time. You can also use dry ice in fiberglass boxes without worrying about cracking the plastic as happens in the plastic ones. Also, the quality of insulation is very important, it should be polyurethane foam. Cheaper plastic ice boxes might also use cheaper insulation, and seem to come from thailand or taiwan, and just generally look cheap.
Fiberglass all the way, I have one and have never looked back, and the difference in price is long forgotten.
Cheers