ENGEL’S TIPS FOR MAXIMIZING ICE RETENTION

Engel's Rotomolded High Performance Hard Coolers are designed to retain ice for up to 10 days. Built with a rotomolded construction, two full inches of insulation in the lid, the sides and the bottom, along with high-quality silicone gaskets create a nearly airtight seal. Engel’s adjustable latch system is like no other, with less loss of internal temperature. Our easy-to-open and easy-to-close compression latches can be adjusted to your preference and they come with your choice of an extremely durable rubber or in stainless steel. Other companies typically use a low-cost, and ultimately, a more brittle rubber for their gaskets, but Engel uses the best quality silicone available to ensure the longest lifespan potential.

GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR ENGEL HARD COOLER:  

FIRST, COOL YOUR COOLER
If you start with a warm cooler, you are going to waste a bunch of ice cooling the cooler itself. Buy an extra bag of ice that you can use to just prepare your cooler for use.

MIND YOUR ICE TO CONTENTS RATIO
We recommend using twice as much ice as you have contents in your cooler. That means that two-thirds of your cooler should be ice while one-third of your cooler should be your drinks and food. And remember to fill your cooler up with ice for maximum retention.

ICE TEMPERATURES CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Filling your cooler with ice that is colder than freezing is ideal because it is dry and will last longer. Warmer ice (ice that is at 32 degrees Fahrenheit or above) is usually wet or dripping, so you’re already starting with a deficit if you fill your cooler with warmer ice.

SHOULD I USE BLOCK ICE OR CUBED ICE?
Both, cubes and blocks have their merits. Cubed ice chills more quickly than block ice, but block ice melts more slowly. Using a combination of both allows for a maximum chill potential.

AIR IS GREAT FOR BREATHING BUT NOT FOR INSIDE YOUR COOLER
Always pack your cooler as full as possible without over-filling it. This makes it more efficient and makes your ice last longer. A good trick to use is to fill the empty spaces with crumpled newspaper. This will eliminate the air pockets without adding additional weight to your cooler.

Note: Over-filling your cooler and forcing down the lid could compromise your seal, letting in air which will adversely affect ice retention.

REFRAIN FROM THE DRAIN
Each time you use your cooler, resist the urge to drain the water from your melted ice until you are finished using your cooler. That ice cold water actually helps to insulate the remaining ice, but be mindful to keep your exposed food and meat out of that water.

HAVE FUN IN THE SUN BUT KEEP YOUR COOLER OUT OF IT
You can prolong the life of your ice by keeping your cooler in the shade; in some cases by twice as long. If you aren’t in a position to keep your cooler in the shade, put a towel or a tarp over it to keep it out of direct sunlight.

KEEP A LID ON IT
An open cooler lets in the warm air, causing ice to melt faster. The more you open your cooler, the faster the ice melts.  

IS DRY ICE MY BEST OPTION?
Engel Rotomolded Hard Coolers are dry ice compatible. The dry ice can keep the contents of your cooler cold (and even frozen) for a longer time than regular ice. However, Engel's Rotomolded Coolers are designed to retain regular ice for up to 10 days. 

WHAT, EXACTLY, IS DRY ICE?
Dry ice is the frozen form of carbon dioxide. It’s perfect for quickly freezing and keeping items frozen. In fact, it’s -109 degrees Fahrenheit and gives off more than twice the cooling power per pound than regular ice made from water. It is also a fraction of the weight of regular ice, so there’s more room for your stuff when packing your cooler.

IS DRY ICE SAFE TO HANDLE?
It is completely safe, but there are some precautions to keep in mind. Because it’s so cold, we recommend using leather or cloth gloves when handling it. Oven mitts or hand towels will also work - just don’t use your bare hands. You’ll want to keep it out of reach of small children to prevent them from getting freezer burn.

Another precaution to keep in mind is ventilation. Because dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide, it gives off carbon dioxide gas when it melts. Breathing in carbon dioxide gas could cause shortness of breath and prolonged exposure could make you lose consciousness. If using dry ice in a cooler, be sure to always store your cooler in a well-ventilated area and make sure there is proper ventilation in your vehicle during transport.

MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU
To ensure that everything, including regular ice, is kept frozen for at least 24 to 48 hours, use one 10 inch/10 pound block of dry ice per 15 inch length of coolers.

Before packing your cooler, wrap each block of dry ice in several sheets of newspaper.

You can pack your dry ice either on top or the bottom of your coolers. It’s convenient to pack it on the bottom, but it will last longer packed on top.

Remember to minimize those air pockets when packing the cooler. You can fill in these air pockets with regular ice. Dry ice can be used with cubed or block ice. If weight is an issue, you can fill them in with crumpled newspapers.

Just like with regular ice, keep your cooler out of the sun to make your dry ice last its longest. If it’s not possible to keep your cooler out of the sun, cover it with a blanket, sleeping bag, towel or a tarp.

ICE SUPPLEMENTS FROM ENGEL
To extend the life or your regular ice, use Engel Cooler Packs & Freezer Packs . These come in multiple sizes and temperatures and can also be used in place of any other ice altogether. This is especially helpful if you want to make sure that the contents of your cooler stay as dry as possible.