Ice box vs Cooler question

[sunny16]

I noticed that most people here use the old removable cooler in the galley for keeping things cold. Has anyone used one of the "ice boxes" made by Formco? If so, how do you like them and how well do they keep things cold? And does the ice stay frozen very long? I checked out their web site and like the look of them but wonder how they really are. Any comments would be appreciated.

www.formcoinc.com is the web site if you want to look at them. I think I have seen one in a picture here or maybe a thread a while back.

[madjack]

sunny, just an opinion or three...space inna tear is VALUABLE, in my opinion, it is too valuable to waste on a built ice box. On our present build, we are installing a thermo-electric fridge and every time I look at it I see wasted space...when tent camping I have used the 3 cooler method, using 5-day coolers...one for foodstufs, one for drinks and one for extra ice...these are just my not so humble opinions and like Gage sez..."it's just the way I doit"
madjack

[goldcoop]

Sunny-

I have a FormCo Ice Box in the C'Tear.

I "fortified" it with the addition of 1 1/2" ridgid blue board insulation after my first trip out, as I wasn't real happy with its performance.

Real happy with it now, the only thing left to do is loop the drain tube forming a "cold loop" as suggested by Guy....

Mainly, I use a cooler for drinks and the ice box for food stuffs...

Cheers,

Coop

[sunny16]

goldcoop,
What do you mean by a "cold loop"?

[sunny16]

madjack,

I understand about the space thing. I know that I like to have storage and more storage. That's why I built the in-floor storage boxes in the cabin. I've got a ways to go before I decide on the galley layout. Just looking for ideas. Thanks

[goldcoop]

goldcoop,
What do you mean by a "cold loop"?

Sunny-

My drain tube runs straight down thru the ice box and out thru the floor to drain on the ground.

Guy M was looking at it this past weekend and suggested I form a loop in the drain tube thus creating a "cold loop" or a trap of sorts to keep the hot air from raising straight up thru my drain tube ultimately melting my ice prematurely.

Made perfect sense to me after he explained it! One of those slap yourself on the forehead moments and say OOOOOHHHHH!

Cheers,

Coop

[gerry boucher]

I got one of these on Ebay but have not been able to use it yet


[/img] The ice block is fairly large and I can put more insulation around it when I install it.

[cracker39]

I'm thinking of trying something different for a cooler to keep the extra ice in. WM sells a cheap styrofoam cooler...cheap is six bucks. It has straight sides and flat top, and would be easy to glue one or two layers of foil-faced insulation to the box and to the lid. I've found that plain styrofoam coolers hold the cold just about as well ad the fancier and more expensive ones do. After all, it's the foam that provides the insulation, not the plastic layer on the outside. I think by making the total wall of styrofoam thicker with the foil outside, it would keep ice pretty well. The finished cooler would cost only 10 or 12 bucks and if it didn't do the job, it's no big loss. It's worth a try anyway.

[mikeschn]

FWIW,

I know people have tried the thermoelectric coolers, and given up on them as they suck your battery dry in no time.

http://tnttt.com/viewto ... 0845#50845

In the Lil Diner I have an electric dorm refridgerator installed. When I am not on the grid I plan on using a cooler with ice.

Mike...

[gman]

Another problem with the electrics is they produce heat, in our van it was too much for the a/c to handle while traveling, so now it sits in the bedroom as a drink cooler/heater in the winter.

[campadk]

Like Madjack says.. space is valuable in a tear.. especially the galley.

Thermo-electric fridges are essentially useless (ok my experience/opinion). Keep it simple, go with a decent cooler and spend a few bucks on some old fashion ice... Keep it in your vehicle and save the space for other kitchen necessities.

Can't go wrong!

My 2 canuck cents.. no charge!

[doug hodder]

For me...I swap the coolers into the boat etc....1 in the tear with the food stuff...1 in the car for drinks...and snacks...and I also make my own solid blocks of ice...the compressed shavings/shards don't hold up nearly as well in hot temps...besides...I like to leave the lids open during the off times to cut the potential odors that may occur...ever open up an ice box that wasn't cleaned well enough in a trailer? Funky...for sure...just my opinion and how I operate...Doug

[Steve Frederick]

We use two ice chests, one for drinks, the other for food. We camp a lot in bear country, the rangers prefer the coolers in the car. The space formerly occupied by a cooler, is now valuable storage.

[cracker39]

...and I also make my own solid blocks of ice...the compressed shavings/shards don't hold up nearly as well in hot temps...
Doug

I have done that in the past, using a plastic dishpan. Just out of curiosity, what do you use to form the blocks of ice?

[MikeDrz]

I use empty 2 liter soda bottles. fill'em and Freeze'm ,as they melt no mess.. water stays in the bottle... i use these in combination with a coleman thermo electric. works for me.

...and I also make my own solid blocks of ice...the compressed shavings/shards don't hold up nearly as well in hot temps...
Doug

I have done that in the past, using a plastic dishpan. Just out of curiosity, what do you use to form the blocks of ice?