Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

The cooler in my 1948 teardrop is built for blocks of ice. I can buy ice in blocks locally, but what do you suggest when I can't find blocks, only sacks of ice cubes/chunks?

I don't want to use ice in jugs or similar because I then have to store and transport the empties when the ice is gone.

Is there a container that will allow me to gracefully use cubes in my cooler?

Thanks

<Chas>

I find that the advantage of block ice is that it lasts longer and that the advantage of cubed ice is that it fills all the small voids allowing easy access to the food by staying lower in the cooler. Putting cubes in a container is going to take up a lot of space in your cooler and would negate the only advantage that cubes have.

Just an opinion.

Gary

I found a plastic storage container at Wally World that is approx 10" x 10" x10". I fill it 2/3 of the way with water and put in the freezer a few days before I leave. Makes a pretty nice block.

I assumed that GuitarPhotog was asking about when on the raod and can't find block ice.

I usually start any trip with a plastic milk carton filled 90% with water and put in the freezer for a couple of days. Cheap and comes with a handle.

Gary

Gary and Cheri wrote:I assumed that GuitarPhotog was asking about when on the raod and can't find block ice.

Gary

Ahhhh.. I see. Many campgrounds sell block ice, so perhaps in your travels you can find one not too far off the path to purchase a block.

Agree with using gallon jugs for homemade ice blocks.

On the road, you may just have to occasionally use bag ice. It is usually one solid chunk when you buy it. Just don't smack it on the ground before you put it in the cooler.

CD

Ice is a PITA but I sometimes use nylon laundry bags to put the cubes in. You fill the bag(s) with the ice, place it on top of your stuff and when you want something you just lift up the bag with all the ice contained. Keeps the ice out of the bottom of the cooler and it is also easy to conform the ice bag to the shape required to fit on top your stuff.

Cheers,

Gus

I freeze plastic water bottles and as they melt I drink them.

OK, for all of you who freeze water in jugs and containers, what do you do after they melt?

You can't conveniently refill and refreeze them, so you have to drag around the empties, yes?

The built in cooler in my trailer has a tray for block ice at the top with a drain through the bottom of the cooler and through the floor of the trailer. It isn't going to work well with bags of cubes, so I was hoping for some ideas.

<Chas>

I have never had my milk containers melt more than 1/2 way, so they are still usable and stay in the cooler the whole trip (up to a week). I use 3 half gallons in one, and 2 in the other. I guess if they melted to the point of needing more ice for the trip, I would throw the empties in the tow vehicle. Since they don't weight anything or take up much space and could be put anywhere, I personally don't see that as a problem. however, since they are easily replaceable, you could just recycle them at your campsite (I hope they have recycling there!). you could always (gasp) throw them away.

If you don't want the hassle of keeping containers around the house during not camping season, or don't have the room in the freezer, I would store your empty do-it-yourself container in your ices box of the tear. That is what I did, I stored my empty milk jugs in my ice chest until summer came around until we bought a small chest freezer. Now I keep a few frozen all the time.

The only other idea I would have is to build some sort of a dam system on the front of the tray to hold back a mesh bag of ice. Could probably make it out of plexiglas with silicone seam. I made a box out of this to put my jug of milk in in my ice chest, to keep the ice cubes from filling in the space when I take it out, thus eliminating the necessity of scooping my hand in freezing water and ice to make the milk bottle fit back in again!

Sorry, this one seem to have a good answer for you. the mesh bag one is probably the best, but the ice will melt FAST and you will be replacing it quickly.

I also use the half gallon milk jugs, one advantage to them is they contain the water as the ice melts. This prevents having your food floating in water. I line the bottom of the cooler with the jugs and put all my frozen foods on top of the jugs. The last thing to go in is the non frozen perishable food. I've been out as long as 5 days using this method and not had to add ice. I do make it a point to keep the cooler out of direct sunlight.

GuitarPhotog wrote:
You can't conveniently refill and refreeze them, so you have to drag around the empties, yes?

<Chas>

...no, most places you stop will have trash containers so, just dump'em...plastic milk containers are not worth saving unless you are returning directly home...I like the 1/2 gallon best for better placement/usage............
madjack

Kevin A wrote:I also use the half gallon milk jugs, one advantage to them is they contain the water as the ice melts. This prevents having your food floating in water. I line the bottom of the cooler with the jugs and put all my frozen foods on top of the jugs. The last thing to go in is the non frozen perishable food. I've been out as long as 5 days using this method and not had to add ice. I do make it a point to keep the cooler out of direct sunlight.

Yep! Water logged cheese balls are yucky!

We finally hit on a method that works for us. I cut some divider trays for my igloo "Cube" coolers.
We put four 1/2 gallon milk jugs with ice in the "cold" one. Food stuffs that are fully sealed can be placed in the crushed ice that is also added below. The 4 jugs support the tray and the food stuffs that are less "waterproof" are placed on the tray above. A second cooler is prepared the same way but we use orange juice , tomatoe juice and a couple milk jugs all in the 1/2 gallon size to support the other shelf.

use paper half gallon milk cartons. square to stack easy. after empty let them dry over night and you have a dandy fire starter.

or make you ice in a square tupperware container.

When I was kid (LONG TIME AGO) my dad keep half gallon papper cartons in the freezer just for this they worked great he also used the quart size ones in his lunch box. I use the coffee plastic containers to keep my comdaments (ketup, mayo, mustard those things in and veggies hate wet soggie veggies) keeps them dry. Works great keeps them cool and they go back in easy.