5 Tips for Keeping a Cooler Cold Longer

Pre-chill the cooler before use A warm cooler melts ice immediately. Put it in the fridge or fill it with ice packs a few hours ahead so the thermal mass stays cold.

Use block ice instead of cubes Cubes have more surface area and melt faster. A solid block of ice — or two smaller blocks — gives you hours more cold.

Make your own block ice Fill milk cartons with water and freeze them. You can also buy bags of block ice if available.

Pack ice on the bottom, food on top This keeps food cold longer and prevents warm items from sitting directly on melting ice.

Keep the cooler in the shade and minimize opening Open it as little as possible. Drain melt water instead of letting it slosh around, which speeds up ice loss.