by Rex Trulove

Created on: May 10, 2010

At first thought, it would be simple to keep foods cold in camp. However, the most obvious solutions are not always the ones used, and even those aren’t always used properly, so it is a good thing to give them some thought.

The idea that often comes to mind for most people is to use an ice chest or cooler. This is really a great idea, but they should be used properly and should be of the right kind. That is to say, those Styrofoam coolers may be great for a day out, but they aren't suitable for a camping trip. The coolers need to be the insulated sort, with a tight fitting or locking lid to keep the cold in.

It is also a good idea to have two ice chests, or more. One is used for the items that need to be kept the coldest, such as meats, while the other can be used for condiments and drinks. The second is more likely to be opened more often, so the temperature inside will usually be higher than in the other. Block ice is better for use than crushed ice, too, for either chest. The surface area is greater so it takes longer to melt.

A helpful tip is to uncap bottled water, pouring some of it out or drinking it, then freezing the rest, a few days before the camp trip. These can then be added to the secondary chest for additional cooling, and as the water melts, it gives ice-cold water that can be wonderful on hot days.

It is also helpful if the meat and similar foods put into the primary chest are frozen before they are put into the ice chest, as this helps keep the food cold longer. If everything in the ice chest is frozen, it all helps keep everything else frozen.

The ice chests should also be kept in the shade rather than in the sun, to keep them cold longer. It is also helpful to put blankets around them, when the blankets aren't being used for sleeping, as this adds additional insulation. This slows down the process of the interior heating up. Nighttime is cooler, so it doesn’t hurt a great deal to remove the blankets to use for sleeping.

In addition, light colored coolers are better than darker shades. The lighter colored ice chests don't pull quite as much heat. A red or green ice chest will heat up much faster than a white or silver colored one.

Note, though, that if the ice chests are kept in a sealed car, the interior of the vehicle can get very hot. If you are trying to keep food cold, it isn't a good idea to put the chests in a sealed car.

Another great idea is to have one or two water containers of the sort that have a spout, and to freeze

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