If you want to go camping, tailgating, or road trips, it is important to have a cooler that will keep the stuff cold so that you can properly enjoy the food. For that to happen, you need to have the best rolling cooler.
This rolling cooler will be easy to move around as it will have wheels. You will be able to carry it wherever you go without having your muscles stretched because of the weight. It is user-friendly, and you can put all the ice, water, cold drinks, and any stuff that you need to stay cool. That’s what makes this a great addition to your camping stuff.
Our Top 10 Picks of the Best Rolling Coolers
[amazon bestseller=”Rolling Cooler” ]What are the different types of cooler insulations?
Different coolers use different types of foam insulations. All the insulation depends on the type of foam that is being used. Styrofoam is a foam that is used by hard coolers with are cheap, but it is lightweight.
While the hard coolers that are expensive use polyurethane, which though is heavier but it is also more effective.
The last one is closed-cell polyethylene foam, which is usually used by soft-sided coolers. This foam is very soft and extremely light in weight.
Best rolling cooler – Buying Guide
1. Exterior Dimensions:
You’ll want to consider the size of the cooler, for portability and storage. To provide sufficient capacity, many coolers are designed to be stored in your car. You can find some personal coolers, but they don’t have wheels for rolling.
Soft-sided coolers are the smallest here. They are compact and easy to be carried in the back of your car.
2. Interior Dimensions:
Storage capacity and interior dimensions are essential when buying rolling coolers. We can measure it in quarts or liters. Some manufactures will provide the exact number of cans and bottles that can be stored inside the cooler.
You need to be wary of the fact that the interior of the cooler may not all be for cooling. Some coolers have additional compartments for non-cooled items, such as sandwiches and fruits.
3. Intended Use:
Now for your intended use. The intended use isn’t one feature, but rather a combination of multiple other features, such as the material and insulation.
If you want to use your cooler on the beach or in the rain, then don’t go for the soft-sided coolers. They are usually not waterproof, and the fabric can degrade readily.
With that being said, soft-sided coolers are great for reducing the weight on your hands. They can be wheeled, or handheld and some can even be hung over your shoulders.
It is important to note what the purpose of the cooler is. Some may be for mildly chilling water and drinks, while others will outright freeze your food.
4. Ice Retention:
The ice retention time is how long the cooler can retain ice before it starts to melt. Typical retention times stretch from 4 days to 10+ days. The retention time is also specified by the manufactures.
But there’s a lot that influences this. For instance, if the exterior temperature goes above 95 degrees, the retention time can be more than halved. You also need to look at how much you’re exposing the ice to direct and indirect sunlight.
5. Empty Weight:
Coolers are heavy objects to carry around. Even if they’re rolling coolers, the wheels only remove so much of the weight. And you need to pick them up to put them in your car.
Soft-sided coolers and some smaller hard-sided coolers weigh as little as 6 pounds. Medium-sized rolling coolers can be as heavy as 12 pounds. And the largest ones weigh around 20 to 22 pounds.
6. Dry Bins and Dividers
A dry bin is a container that is useful to keep the food dry and cool. Dry bins work great with coolers as they are longer than they are wide. Your cooler may come with dry bins as a souvenir or you’ll have to buy some.
Dividers, also known as racks, help utilize the space in your cooler. Most coolers have a rack or two. Buy more if you need it, but be mindful of the size.
FAQs:
How much ice should I put in my cooler?
An ideal ratio of ice to contents is about 2:1. Which means there should be twice as much ice as there are contents in the cooler. The idea here is to prioritize cooling over space. Otherwise, the heat can quickly degrade your food.
How strong are rolling coolers?
Rolling coolers, if made of hard plastic, can survive quite a lot of impact. They are well-insulated, so heat and UV radiation won’t get the best of them. And of course, they’re waterproof. Although you may not want to splash water on any open connections/sockets.
How long cooler will hold the ice?
Normally, coolers can hold the ice for 4-10 days. The external temperature and how often you open the cooler also influence this. A higher temperature of 95 degrees F can halve the ice retention time.
How can I clean my cooler?
Clean the cooler immediately after all the ice has passively melted. Remove all the contents and use a hose or a bucket of clean water. Run the water through the entire cooler and use soap or a mild detergent. Do not use any heavy chemicals such as bleach, as there might be remnants left inside that will poison the food.
Conclusion
Taking the best rolling cooler on a road trip or camping is a great idea. It keeps your food and drinks cold and makes your journey great because who wants to drink warm drinks on a hot summer day.
They are also easy to move around because of their wheels. Plus, they come in various sizes, capacity, and wheel types for you to choose the most suitable one for you. Once you have this cooler, you will realize just how much it provides and how essential it is, especially for camping.
