Garga Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 (edited) I'm going to an amusement park this coming week. It'll be 90 degrees at the park. We always get the munchies after being at the park all day and usually stop at McDs on the way home, but this time I need to save my money, so we'll have to bring our own late night snack. I was hoping to take a cooler with food for the drive home--just sandwiches probably. The cooler will be in the car from the time I leave my house at 10:30 until the park closes at 10 at night. So, about 12 hours. Will the cooler stay cold enough to store lunchmeat sandwiches and mayo for 12 hours in a super hot car? We won't open it once I pack it until 10 that night. ETA: Looks like the cooler might be a bust. I think I'll still take it, but pack a bunch of frozen water bottles in it so that by the time we're ready to leave, they'll be liquid. Anyone have ideas of what I could take for our snacks that can get a little warm in our melty cooler? I can't think beyond Doritos right now. Edited July 18, 2017 by Garga_ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 It depends on the cooler. I have a cooler bag and regular cooler that wouldn't keep the food cool enough unless you replaced the ice. I also have a 5 day cooler for fishing (I think) that would keep the food cool enough. It wasn't expensive, it's an igloo that was around $30. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 Agreed, this depends on the cooler. Some are very well insulated and will keep things cold for an extended period of time even in conditions you describe. Others just won't last. Inside the car the temp is going to climb really, really high if all windows are closed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3 ladybugs Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 Yeah I agree that a 5 day cooler would be best in that situation. It would also depend on the car. If it is was in a trunk I would think it would be better then if it was in the back of a minivan (for instance). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted July 18, 2017 Author Share Posted July 18, 2017 (edited) It depends on the cooler. I have a cooler bag and regular cooler that wouldn't keep the food cool enough unless you replaced the ice. I also have a 5 day cooler for fishing (I think) that would keep the food cool enough. It wasn't expensive, it's an igloo that was around $30. I don't have a 5 day cooler and won't be able to get one. One is styrofoam and one is a Rubbermaid Ice Chest. Nothing fancy. Maybe our snacks will have to be a bag of Doritos instead of a sandwich. Edited July 18, 2017 by Garga 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted July 18, 2017 Author Share Posted July 18, 2017 Yeah I agree that a 5 day cooler would be best in that situation. It would also depend on the car. If it is was in a trunk I would think it would be better then if it was in the back of a minivan (for instance). Yup---back of a minivan! This is not boding well. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen500 Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 I would think if your cooler is large, you could get by with a block or 2 of ice and be fine. Or one block and a bag of ice, and prechill your food and drinks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acorn Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 I'd use peanut butter. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 Agree it might make it if you pre-chill everything, pack it with a thick block of ice plus ice all around it in ziplock bags and then maybe pack the cooler itself in chilled blankets. Insulation to keep the cold in is your friend. You might freeze some grapes, too. They can act to keep things cold longer and be thawed when you get back to the van. Do you have time to experiment ahead of time? Try it out and see how long the food stays cold? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3 ladybugs Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 Do you have lots of blankets and such that you can wrap the cooler in? More insulation is key here. So the more you can pack around it that would normally keep you warm, will keep it cool. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 What about hard salami (or something similar) on the sandwiches and then add the mayo from packets when it's time to eat? Then even if the cooler doesn't stay super cold you will at least know the mayo hasn't spoiled. I can usually get the packets from the deli section at my grocery store. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 Do you have access to dry ice? Our Walmart sells it and some grocery stores do too. Failing that, I'd freeze a large block of ice instead of using all ice cubes. It takes longer for a block of ice to melt. Starting with frozen sandwiches also helps as does covering the cooler with blankets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 Oh, and with the insulation, include the bottom of the cooler. The floor of the van will probably be warm already. You might include ice packs inside the blankets on the bottom of the cooler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 Would the styrofoam cooler fit inside the ice chest? That may provide enough insulation to keep everything cold. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justasque Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 ... Anyone have ideas of what I could take for our snacks that can get a little warm in our melty cooler? I can't think beyond Doritos right now. Nuts. Applesauce. Granola bars. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MommyLiberty5013 Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 Wrap your contents in towels. DH taught me this trick. It does retain the coldness. Also, you could get a windshield visor. Park in the shadiest spot. Still I wuld probably avoid the cheese and meats anyways...and condiments... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitten18 Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 Freeze water bottles and put those in your cooler. Have things as cold as possible before they go into the cooler (freeze what you can). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 Yes, dry ice would do the trick. It's crazy effective. Much colder than normal ice. And I agree with the suggestions about extra insulation and also putting a bunch of frozen water in there. Additionally you might consider using those little mayo envelopes from fast food places, and adding the mayo at the last minute before eating. Or possibly buying a little jar of mayo and not opening it until right before you use it. I would avoid meat in the sandwiches. Cheeses and/or peanut butter would be safer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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