5 Ways to Keep a Cooler Cold Longer

Pre-chill the cooler before packing Throw the cooler in a cold garage or fill it with bagged ice for an hour, then dump it. Cold mass stays cold; warm plastic melts ice fast.

Use block ice instead of cubes Freeze jugs of water and use those instead of bagged ice. They melt slower due to less surface area, and when they do melt, you still have cold drinking water.

Fill empty space with towels or newspaper Every air pocket is a warm zone that attacks your ice. A full cooler stays cold longer than a half-empty one.

Keep the lid closed as much as possible Every lift of the lid lets in warm air. Pack a separate day cooler for drinks so you only open the main one when you need food.

Add extra insulation on top Pile a blanket or sleeping bag over the cooler. It works like an extra layer of lid for free.