How to pack your cooler

Summertime often means picnic, beach, and car trip time for us! We often take a cooler with us in the car for snacks and beverages. It is important to keep foods cold and that is best achieved with a full cooler. If your cooler is not full you may want to consider adding extra ice cubes to fill it up. If your cooler doesn’t have a thick well-insulated lid you may also want to consider packing a thick towel on top of everything under the lid. If you can chill your cooler ahead of time that will help keep cold foods cold longer. If you do not have time to chill it, room temperature is more helpful than packing a warm cooler you have just retrieved from your garage or attic.
Place your food and drinks, which should be in leak-proof resealable containers or plastic bags in the bottom of the cooler first then put the ice on top. You should plan on about 1/2 pound of ice for every quart your cooler holds. Foods and drinks should be packed pre-chilled.
As the ice melts you may be tempted to drain the water out of the cooler but there is no need to do that as the cold water will also help keep the contents of the cooler chilled.
Summer is my favorite season and I am looking forward to packing up a cooler and heading out many days!

Marcia Steed

I graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Home Economics Education. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and traveling.

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