5 Ways to Make Ice Last Longer in a Cooler

Pre-chill the cooler Put a bag of ice or frozen water bottles inside the night before, then dump them out before packing. A cold start matters more than the insulation.

Use block ice instead of cubes Block ice melts slower because less surface area is exposed. Freeze gallon jugs of water for a cheap, effective block.

Keep the cooler out of direct sun Place it in the shade or cover it with a reflective blanket. Sunlight can cut ice life in half.

Drain cold water, don’t let it sit Melted ice water warms up and accelerates melting. Drain it periodically and add fresh ice.

Open the cooler as little as possible Each opening lets cold air escape. Pack drinks and food in separate coolers so you only open one at a time.