Ice Chest Basics

Whether you need to keep beverages chilled for the big game or food from spoiling on your camping trip, a reliable cooler you can count on is important. In the Ice Chest Basics guide, we will review:

High Performance Ice Chests vs. Standard Ice Chests
Why Should I Invest in a High Performance Ice Chest?
3 Steps to Maximize Ice Chest Performance

High Performance Ice Chests vs. Standard Ice Chests

High performance ice chests typically start at $229.00 while standard ice chests start at as little as $20.00. Although high performance ice chests are significantly more expensive, they will substantially outperform standard ice chests for three reasons:

Insulation: Many times standard, less expensive ice chests have little to no insulation in the lids, filling the leftover space with dead air. This causes extreme inefficiency in keeping your items cool. Our high performance ice chests from Engel feature at least 2" of freezer grade insulation throughout the entire ice chest.
Lid Seal: Standard ice chests rely on two plastic surfaces meeting for a friction based seal while Engel ice chests feature positive locks and a freezer grade gasket for a tight seal.
Durability: Standard ice chests are generally injection molded from less expensive plastics while Engel ice chests are made from the same durable material used to make white water kayaks. In fact, Engel ice chests are so rugged they have been certified as bear resistant by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Council. That means they have survived tests with real grizzly bears and have been approved to use in areas inhabited by grizzly bears.

Why Should I Invest in a High Performance Ice Chest?

Although the upfront investment of a high performance ice chest is steep, there is no need for costly future replacements. These ice chests are built to last a lifetime and will consistently outperform standard ice chests. When used under ideal conditions, a good ice chest can keep ice for up to 10-14 days. To learn more about how to maximize your ice chest's performance, visit "3 Steps to Maximize Ice Chest Performance" below.

Additional Ice Chest Resources

Check out our additional ice chest resources for more information and helpful tips. If you have additional questions or comments, please contact one of our specialists by e-mail or phone at 866-403-8505.