The Great Cooler Throwdown

[Zach Matthews]

This is what I’ve got going right now for the next issue of Fly Rod & Reel:

Should be interesting. These coolers are all really nice. Yeti, Brute Box, Engel, and Igloo. We got as close to 50 quarts as possible (although Engel doesn’t make a 50 so they provided a 35). I put 20 lbs. of ice in bags in each of them and I’m weighing the ice daily after letting the water drain out in the bottom of the cooler. Right now they are all pretty much neck and neck.

I also started a control cooler which is a day behind. It’s a Rubbermaid Wal-Mart special that I’ve had since college. I expect it to get trounced.

Zach

[Steve K.]

I hope the Rubbermaid kicks their ass! 🙂

[Duncan Smith]

I would like to see the Coleman Extreme included. I would also like to see you compare the strength of the top to hold a person standing.

[Zach Matthews]

Hey Duncan –

The Coleman Xtreme isn’t really in the same class here. The Rubbermaid is just for a comparison to an “ordinary cooler.” All of these test coolers have at least 1.5″ of insulation and are rotomolded; those are our two baseline criteria for a premium cooler.

I am finding different things I like best about each of these coolers. They are all definitely in the A range, with the pluses and minuses varying by category. Some have a better standing surface. Some have a better interior configuration. Some have better accessories, or better handles, or more intelligent latches. It’s been interesting for sure.

Zach

[Duncan Smith]

I understand the Coleman isn’t a premium cooler but in the couple of tests I’ve seen on you tube and various websites it always does well in ice retention for a lot less money. I realize you couldn’t stand on it, heck you probably can’t sit on it. Well I couldn’t stand on any of them because some days I can barely stay upright on the deck but that’s a whole different deal.

Thanks for doing a test like this. I always enjoy your articles, well written, easy to understand, and insightful.

[John Stanley]

You going to run the test with dry ice?

[Buzz Bryson]

Hey Zach,

Pelican makes one of the “Yeti” type premium cases. There’s a 45-qt model:

http://www.pelican.com/cases_detail_coolers.php?Case=45QT

Buzz

[Zach Matthews]

Hey Buzz –

I saw that they did; in truth there are about 20 of these companies out there right now. We reached out to several who we thought were applicable and ultimately went with the four who got back in touch with us.

Zach

[Zach Matthews]

By the way, having conducted this test I am now extremely skeptical of anyone who claims their cooler will retain ice for “7-10 days.” Based on what I am seeing I think there are likely some pretty extreme measures being taken to achieve those results, such as freezing the cooler in a walk-in freezer prior to loading it to the gills with sub-zero ice. These products are all much more similar than different, and I am expecting my test to end on or before Day 5 based on the curve I’ve got going right now. My test is based on two 20 lb. bags of ice (which is the most you can get in these coolers without using loose ice) and no “sacrificial bags.” I think that’s more consistent with how people actually use these.

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[Adam Maskew]

I always find it better to pre cool the esky before a serious trip. i normally just chuck a 3kg bag of ice in the night before to cool it down. Then load with block ice ~10kg worth. We then load it up with drinks and snacks and chuck it on the boat. It floats around, gets open and shut (most of the time). I can normally get 5-7 days out of my initial ice before needing to restock. This is during our mild summer with average temperatures of above 40oC. Over winter I do a lot better.

Your graph actually suggests there is a difference between brands. You have two eskys with ~8.5lbs left and two with ~6.5lbs left. I wouldn’t be surprised as the test continues the difference in the groupings become more pronounced. Whether it is statistically valid is another conversation…

Adam

[Buzz Bryson]

Figured so Zach. I was in the local “Pelican store” (it’s a master distributor, or whatever term Pelican uses), and has multiples of pretty much every Pelican and Storm case made. Plus they do custom inserts (amazing the military hardware you can see in there for fitting). They had some coolers up front, with a sign on top, comparing them to Yeti; thought of this thread.

I’ve found I can buy a lot of ice for the price difference in an Igloo and the premium brands. In fact, I can buy multiple cooler replacements and still be ahead! One item of “tackle” that generally doesn’t terribly impact trip if it fails!

[Mark Schafer]

The main idea of a premium ice box is keeping things frozen for longer periods of time,as I have said before you put the frozen food for an entire trip in and take out what you need on a daily basis, its not meant to be a beer cooler as its maximum usefulness,no need to pay the big dollars if you can stop and buy more ice at 7-11.
Also remember that keeping cold things cold will also keep hot things hot, I have cooked corn on the cob for 50 people in my NRS and used it to keep BBQ chickens hot for hours.
Besides a side by side comparison on ice retention some mention should be made of the closer setup plus the lid and hinge system, some other issues, does pulling the drain plug allow complete draining of the inside,with an added lock is it bear proof, does having Yeti plastered on the side make it walk away when you leave camp?
if it’s just keeping beer cold on the raft a soft sided Polar Bear works best for me.

[Zach Matthews]

Adam, Mark –

Y’all will need to see the final article for a full explanation. I suspect the difference between brands has more to do with actual volume versus labeled volume (and in one case the provider only made a smaller cooler than what we were looking for). And yes, of course the article is about a lot more than mere ice retention. My takeaway from my ice test has been that ice retention is essentially equivalent and what matters most is features and quality versus price.

Zach

[T. Wiles]

I realize its not realistic in December…but I believe a more relevant test would be to see which one keeps ice in 80+ degree temps in bright sunlight. You would likely get similar results; but if one stood out as a winner with those parameters, I believe the test would reveal the superior product.

[Phil Brna]

When you are done the test, can you send the Yeti my way? One of our guides in Belize has one and it is one solid cooler. As far as how long ice lasts, I also doubt the claims. The interesting thing about the Yeti is when we open it and let some warm air in and then close it, you can hear it creating a vacuum, as the warm air contracts. The seal is so good you then cannot get the friggin thing open without breaking the seal by opening the drain plug. Would I buy one- NOPE, not for that price.

[Mark Schafer]

Phil,
I have the same vacuum issue with mine something as thin as a plastic 6pack carry draped over the the seal will work if it a hassle to get to the drain plug.

[Zach Matthews]

The results are in! But you’ll have to read them in the magazine. 🙂

I will say, these cooler guys are pretty competitive. One company asked me to confirm that the interior of the competition’s coolers was normal, because apparently at times some companies have been known to release special coolers with expensive vacuum panels for these tests; those panels are not in consumer coolers (and none of the people involved in this competition were ever said to have done this before–my contact just wanted me to confirm everything was kosher). But apparently the technology to cheat exists, which I find interesting.

[Mike Anderson]

“Some companies have been known to release special coolers with expensive vacuum panels”

I bet they used White Styrofoam. 🙂

[Yarbrough Bennett]

I find my coleman extreme lasts 3 days in the GA heat in a black car full of a 30 pack and ice. A yeti last 6 days with the same contents. Thats awesome and I think the Yeti is worth the money. I’m not paying for it but check out Orca coolers for the same price as the yeti. THeir profit margin goes to the charity you choose. I’ll just buy more ice… By the way I dont rep Yeti or Orca I just think if you’re going to spend the money have some of it go to breast cancer, or veterans, or old people, or anything else that orca donates to.

[Zach Matthews]

Mike, these are actually a thing:

http://www.dowcorning.com/content/publishedlit/62-1556-01.pdf

I think they’re mostly used in the cryo industry. If you could somehow score a cooler made out of them it would probably hold ice for well over a week.

Zach

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