Was at Costco the other day. Saw an Igloo brand 150 qt cooler for $90. Claimed to be a 7 day cooler -- I don't really believe that. But, I'll never spend $300 -$400 on a cooler (sorry Yeti), at least unless I absolutely have to. The question: How seriously do you take the number of day claims? While I would not take them literally, I wonder whether a 7 day is significanly better than a 5 or 6 day? And, do you think you have to spend $300+ to get an acceptable cooler? Again, I don't, but I've never been in a position where I had to store game for several days before getting it to a freezer.
Another Cooler Question
- Thread starter Murdy
- Start date
I have the igloo. I bought the $500 yeti. Took the yeti On a 3 day pronghorn hunt. Ice was melted down to half in 2 days. Returned the yeti. Still have the igloo and will continue to use it. For the cost of the yeti not worth it at all IMO. Another thing to consider and I didn't even think about it till I left camp for the first day is theft. Someone could roll by my camp and see the Yeti and use the opertunity to steal it. Everyone knows the yeti name and how spendy they are. I would hope no one would but worse things have happen. I'll stick to the Igloo that performes good enough for me for $100
Good point about the theft issue, not the first thing I though of either, but I wouldn't want to leave a $500 piece of equipment unattended.
Amazon has the 150 qt Igloo for $80 with free shipping if you are an Amazon Prime member.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001DI46I/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001DI46I/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00
wolftalonID
Very Active Member
I have always wanted a good cooler. Bears can be an issue where I hunt, although I have yet to have had a problem in 6 seasons now. I understand the pinch you feel with a yetis price for sure. I personally have never used a cooler to store meat in on a hunt. If its kept cool, (shady areas, near water helps too), it will hold fine. Consider it the aging time anyway.
I usually use two coolers while on a week hunt. I put drinks and things I only want cold in one with regular ice. In the other one, the larger one, I put extra bag of ice, all the goods I want frozen, and then pack it with Dry Ice. The Dry Ice keeps the cooler rock hard frozen for three plus days if I keep it shaded and protected from the sun. The extra bag of ice is used in it to keep the rest of the week or in the refrig cooler as needed.
My coolers I use are igloo brand and coleman brand and they have done well for the time I have had them. I have been considering the coolers that are sportsmans warehouse labeled as replacements when I can. They are cheaper than Yeti, and built tough as nails.
Just some input to consider
I usually use two coolers while on a week hunt. I put drinks and things I only want cold in one with regular ice. In the other one, the larger one, I put extra bag of ice, all the goods I want frozen, and then pack it with Dry Ice. The Dry Ice keeps the cooler rock hard frozen for three plus days if I keep it shaded and protected from the sun. The extra bag of ice is used in it to keep the rest of the week or in the refrig cooler as needed.
My coolers I use are igloo brand and coleman brand and they have done well for the time I have had them. I have been considering the coolers that are sportsmans warehouse labeled as replacements when I can. They are cheaper than Yeti, and built tough as nails.
Just some input to consider
BOHNTR
Very Active Member
Marine Moeller coolers........built exactly like Yeti but much cheaper. I had plenty of ice in mine after 9 days of hunting in temps that got into the 80's.
dito
Active Member
I thought this was pretty helpful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-TE4RnqT0U&feature=player_embedded From what I remember the coleman kept ice the longest.
Elkoholic307
Banned
I just got the 65 quart Yeti. Don't know how good it is yet but have high expectations. Looking forward to using it this fall.
tdub24
Veteran member
Thanks for the link, it good to see the Colemans I use do good in a controlled setting against the Yeti. I too was thinking about buying a Yeti, but the fear of theft was too great. Hunter ethics are not as good as they once were.
TooFarEast
New Member
Rather then spend the money on a Yeti, i am going to take the DIY approach. I am going to try to build a large 200qt ice box for my elk hunt this year since I will be traveling cross country. It will be a little too heavy for everyday use, but I dont plan on moving it around much once it is in the back of the truck and filled up. Here is the link to how I want to build it...
http://www.westsystem.com/ss/building-an-efficient-icebox-2/
Don't let the article fool you, because their products are very expensive, but I am sure I can do it for less than 1/2 the cost of a yeti. Also, I know some people in the boat building business here locally so I hope to get a discount on the fiberglass epoxy. Will let you guys know how it goes once I get the project underway.
http://www.westsystem.com/ss/building-an-efficient-icebox-2/
Don't let the article fool you, because their products are very expensive, but I am sure I can do it for less than 1/2 the cost of a yeti. Also, I know some people in the boat building business here locally so I hope to get a discount on the fiberglass epoxy. Will let you guys know how it goes once I get the project underway.
I just scored a couple sheets of siding. Its 1/8 inch sheet metal on the outsides and 2 and 3/4 inch thick insulation on the inside the sheets are 18'x3' how big is too big when building a cooler? the guys said it has an r value of about r-12 or r-14. And apparently they have alot of scrap pieces that they usually throw away.... Not anymore!
BKC
Very Active Member
Muleys 24/7
Veteran member
I agree that is too big! id go broke trying to fill it with ice! Cut all the sides today to fit snug in my dodge all said and done if my math is right it will be right at 200 quarts. Wife is out of town so ive gotta rush it together before she gets back ("seriously another project!") i can already hear it. Im hoping it will look like an aftermarket fuel tank when im done. Nice and snug and flush with the top of the bed. I think ill mount a hi lift jack on top of it just for shi## and giggles. And finish it off with a coat of rhino lining.
no room in the 3 car garage to build it thats why its so shade tree if you were wondering..
no room in the 3 car garage to build it thats why its so shade tree if you were wondering..Attachments
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Drhorsepower
Veteran member
I have never thought of building one, this is great guys! Hardstalk, do you mind on a spec sheet and review on how it holds up in that Vegas heat?
Dr I have a few walkin freezer panels that you can cut down to size if you want to do this for real. 4" thick insulation with stucco finish aluminum on both sides. Or anyone in Reno for that matter. I can usually get my hands on panels if interested.
Day 3 its comin together...
Still have some sheetmetal work to do. rhino line. and figure out a way to seal the inside. Im thinking some sort of roofing epoxy but havent quite figured it out. Ill get a spec sheet when i have more time. P.s its weighing in at every bit of 200 pounds. Possibly pushing 250 barely managable without equipment getting involved.
Still have some sheetmetal work to do. rhino line. and figure out a way to seal the inside. Im thinking some sort of roofing epoxy but havent quite figured it out. Ill get a spec sheet when i have more time. P.s its weighing in at every bit of 200 pounds. Possibly pushing 250 barely managable without equipment getting involved.