Need a new Esky / Icebox
Submitted: Saturday, Jan 29, 2005 at 13:05
ThreadID:
19885
Views:
18355
Replies:
12
FollowUps:
7
This Thread has been Archived
Member - Smocky (NSW)
G'day all,
On last camping trip, realised how inadequate my cheap esky is. Too small and capable of disolving a large bag of ice in under 24 hours.
Want to get a new one and willing to invest. Would be interested in hearing from others as to whether the "expensive" iceboxes really are worth the money and what bargains I might get. The Waeco ones for example are over $400.
Also, what size people get. As for requirements, we have a fridge that we will use for certain things, this is for the drinks. I don't want to keep opening the fridge to get drinks out, as I will be opening it quite often at times :-).
Also will be handy when going away for a weekend, as won't need the 3 way, just 1 frozen cordial bottle of water.
Cheers,
Smocky.
Reply By: Muddy 'doe (SA) - Saturday, Jan 29, 2005 at 14:03
Saturday, Jan 29, 2005 at 14:03
Tip I learned recently is to freeze water in 1.25l soft drink bottles in the freezer at
home.
Put these in your esky and they will help keep it cold and when they do finally melt you can drink the nice cold water rather than have it go to waste sloshing around the bottom of the esky. Bag ice cools stuff really really quick (makes warm beer nice and drinkable in about 30 mins!) but Block Ice lasts heaps longer. Is all governed by the surface area exposed to air.
Using these frozen water bottes can even help in a compressor fridge, not as much cooling effort required by the fridge. If you were taking water with you anyway why not put it to good use. Just whack a couple of bottles of water in the
home freezer a day or so before you go (but do'nt fill them right up!)
Another point I have learned is that when you are driving for a few hours run the fridge at a higher setting as there is plenty of power available while the altenator is charging up the battery. When you are stopped and running on battery only, then back the fridge off a bit to extend battery life. Same applies if you have access to a genny for a few hours.
If you are doing lots of driving on an extended trip then you could use this principle to even make a bit more ice or refreeze the water in your soft drink bottles. Then whack them back in the esky.
Cheers
Muddy
AnswerID:
95521
Follow Up By: Member - JohnR (Vic) - Saturday, Jan 29, 2005 at 19:04
Saturday, Jan 29, 2005 at 19:04
Hey Muddy, have observed you drink milk occasionally, I would suggest instead of your round soft drink bottles, use the square or rectangular 2 or 3 litre milk bottles, put salted water in them and keep those in you freezer.
I even have a salted water carton sometimes but of course it can spill if it thaws. The frozen saline water is colder and tends to stay frozen too, pretty
well. Always have a block in the freezer though for block ice.
Muddy, the lights on the front do pretty the face of the 'doe a bit. I just need some 240s. :-)
FollowupID:
354297
Reply By: BenSpoon - Saturday, Jan 29, 2005 at 15:27
Saturday, Jan 29, 2005 at 15:27
You mentioned the waecos... i take it you have already checked out www.fridgeshop.com.au- the waeco store.
The iceboxes I have used most often are the OzEsky ones which seem very similar to the waecos- Available through slingrig stores. These things are damn strong- we had a 160 litre one (had to cater for a few people and their drinking habits)- the only downside to it is: once full, you almost need a hiab to get it off a ute tray, and if you put your swag too close to the thing you can hear the ice settling all night long. We had this white box on
the beach in 40 degree heat, and it kept ice for 3 days in those conditions- and that was with it being opened every 20 mins for fresh rounds.
A recommendation with any esky you get: get some soft adhesive backed foam tape- stick it around the lid to ensure its airtight and if you have doubts about the internal insulation, go out and grab a can of Polyurethane foam- drill as small a hole as needed and inject that into your esky walls/lid and you will have asignificantdifference. Get rid of the air in the walls and you will have no chance of convection in there.
AnswerID:
95527
Follow Up By: japmel - Saturday, Jan 29, 2005 at 20:37
Saturday, Jan 29, 2005 at 20:37
Benspoon
The idea of using the polyurethane foam is a good one.
Just make sure you don't spray to much in as it will cause the sides to swell and wreck your esky.
Regards
japmel
FollowupID:
354307
Reply By: Member - Willie , Epping .Syd. - Saturday, Jan 29, 2005 at 17:49
Saturday, Jan 29, 2005 at 17:49
You should get yourself a fibreglass icebox . I fish a lot in FNQ and the NT and all the guides and locals use them .They are expensive , but will last you for the rest of your life .
If you decide on something cheaper , make sure that it has foam insulation in the lid . Lot's dont , and are a waste of time .
Always put your stuff in the fridge before putting it into the icebox - then your ice will last for 4 days .
Take a milk carton with you when you go to make your purchase , to make sure the one you buy is tall enough - most are not .
Boots camping in
Sydney ahve some .
Cheers ,
AnswerID:
95543
Follow Up By: Member - Smocky (NSW) - Saturday, Jan 29, 2005 at 19:35
Saturday, Jan 29, 2005 at 19:35
Thanks Willie,
I live not far from you actually, so I'll
check out Boots. Not sure of the fibreglass versus poly arguement, but I'll worry about that later. Figured I would get a decent icebox though instead of an expensive plastic esky that does bugger all.
Cheers.
FollowupID:
354303
Reply By: TheUndertaker - Sunday, Jan 30, 2005 at 19:14
Sunday, Jan 30, 2005 at 19:14
Bailys / Evercool ,one and the same ,best "esky" ever made ,last a lifetime and holds resale value as
well ,however once you have one you will never consider selling it as they are just so damn good ,have a 70lt now10yrs old ,still like new,, now into 12v ,waeco80lt + engle15lt + chescold40lt , can never have too much refridgeration .
AnswerID:
95690