Cooler Test Comparison - Surprising Results/Money Saver

[pianoman9701]

Let's see which one keeps ice longer for real.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-TE4RnqT0U

[Bean Counter]

Tagging for later 

[pianoman9701]

The Coleman Extreme 70 qt is on sale at Target for 39.99 right now.

[lokidog]

Summary... buy the Coleman, a fraction of the cost, the same ice performance as the Yeti, and less than half the weight of the Yeti and the other "high end" one.

It would be interesting to have a test where it is 90 degrees and the cooler is opened every ten minutes to see if the performance is the same between brands.

[baker5150]

Summary... buy the Coleman, a fraction of the cost, the same ice performance as the Yeti, and less than half the weight of the Yeti and the other "high end" one.

It would be interesting to have a test where it is 90 degrees and the cooler is opened every ten minutes to see if the performance is the same between brands.

I agree, id really like to see an actual real life scenario.  90 degree heat and direct sunlight, infiltration is a major factor considering the coleman doesn't have a lid gasket, and thinner insulation in areas like the cup holders. 
I think a thermometer inside during the test would have been nice as well.  After 8 days, one cooler could have 33 degree water in it, and anther could have 70 degree water in it.

[pianoman9701]

Summary... buy the Coleman, a fraction of the cost, the same ice performance as the Yeti, and less than half the weight of the Yeti and the other "high end" one.

It would be interesting to have a test where it is 90 degrees and the cooler is opened every ten minutes to see if the performance is the same between brands.

I agree, id really like to see an actual real life scenario.  90 degree heat and direct sunlight, infiltration is a major factor considering the coleman doesn't have a lid gasket, and thinner insulation in areas like the cup holders. 
I think a thermometer inside during the test would have been nice as well.  After 8 days, one cooler could have 33 degree water in it, and anther could have 70 degree water in it.

It doesn't appear that not having a gasket hurt the Coleman Extreme. Conducting the test in hotter weather shouldn't affect the overall ranking much. It'll just shorten the time it takes to melt the ice.  With a difference in price of 10 times, I think it's a no-brainer.

[baker5150]

Summary... buy the Coleman, a fraction of the cost, the same ice performance as the Yeti, and less than half the weight of the Yeti and the other "high end" one.

It would be interesting to have a test where it is 90 degrees and the cooler is opened every ten minutes to see if the performance is the same between brands.

I agree, id really like to see an actual real life scenario.  90 degree heat and direct sunlight, infiltration is a major factor considering the coleman doesn't have a lid gasket, and thinner insulation in areas like the cup holders. 
I think a thermometer inside during the test would have been nice as well.  After 8 days, one cooler could have 33 degree water in it, and anther could have 70 degree water in it.

It doesn't appear that not having a gasket hurt the Coleman Extreme. Conducting the test in hotter weather shouldn't affect the overall ranking much. It'll just shorten the time it takes to melt the ice.  With a difference in price of 10 times, I think it's a no-brainer.

The gasket will definitely be a factor in hotter weather.  The greater the delta T between the air inside and the air outside the cooler, than the faster the air will move between the two.  Its all about containing the different air pressures. 

[pianoman9701]

OK. I'm still not spending $450 on a cooler when I can spend $40 and get a positive result. You can buy a lot of dry ice for the difference.

[baker5150]

OK. I'm still not spending $450 on a cooler when I can spend $40 and get a positive result. You can buy a lot of dry ice for the difference.

HA, Im with ya on that one. 

I think curiosity is getting the best of me.  Maybe ill buy the Coleman and do the test myself, I need a new cooler anyway.

[pianoman9701]

OK. I'm still not spending $450 on a cooler when I can spend $40 and get a positive result. You can buy a lot of dry ice for the difference.

HA, Im with ya on that one. 

I think curiosity is getting the best of me.  Maybe ill buy the Coleman and do the test myself, I need a new cooler anyway.

The 39.99 from Target is online only. If you order something else for $11, shipping is free.

[jasnt]

I'd bet the Coleman is not as bear proof lol but I got the Coleman and it works great!

[WSU]

Coleman Extremes do work well.  The biggest problem I've had is the plug on the end only stays attached for a year or two.  After that you have be very careful not to lose it.

[Bean Counter]

I can envision the expensive coolers doing WORSE if not prepped for use properly. We went camping last weekend and pulled the cheaper Coleman cooler out of the 105-110 degree garage and into the air conditioned house several days prior. Then, the night before the trip, loaded it up with all kinds stuff from the freezer that wasn't going on the trip. We only used frozen 2 liter bottles of water and 1 gallon milk jug. After a 3 day trip the ice was still mostly frozen. I imagine if I had loaded up the cooler straight from the garage the morning of the trip then the more insulation in the cooler the worse the ice would have fared because it would have to overcome more retained heat from the Gawd awful heat in the garage.

[BULLBLASTER]

Thats a great point bean counter. Thats a lot of thermal mass there to cool down with the ice. Last weekend i experiemced that with a cooler and 5 bags of ice. 2 melted almost immediately but the 3 i added later stayed the remainder of the 3 days with minimal melting.

[washelkhunter]

Retailers are now looking to clear their shelves. Coolers are starting to go on discount sale, watch for the flyers in the paper.   

[pianoman9701]

I put my cooler open in the chest freezer for a couple days before the trip. Makes a big difference. If the space is limited, just put the stuff that's in the freezer in the cooler. Since mine hasn't had any elk meat in it for a long time, I have plenty of space. 

[pd]

I put my cooler open in the chest freezer for a couple days before the trip. Makes a big difference. If the space is limited, just put the stuff that's in the freezer in the cooler. Since mine hasn't had any elk meat in it for a long time, I have plenty of space. 

Pianoman, thanks for finding this link.  I, too, was surprised by the result.

Also, sorry about your situation.  Sounds like somebody needs to get it done this fall...

[pianoman9701]

Lol

[Bean Counter]

Or you can just lend it to me this fall and i will christen it for you. 

[bearpaw]

I'm surprised, the coleman did well, I would like to see someone on the forum do a test so we know it's factual!

[pianoman9701]

I'm surprised, the coleman did well, I would like to see someone form the forum do a test so we know it's factual!

I'd be happy to, Dale. Please PM me your credit card info and I can get started on that today! 

[bearpaw]

I'm surprised, the coleman did well, I would like to see someone form the forum do a test so we know it's factual!

I'd be happy to, Dale. Please PM me your credit card info and I can get started on that today! 

here ya go 

1812 1812 1812 1812
exp 4/1/15
sc# 666

[BULLBLASTER]

Bearpaw we need a real life test... i will volunteer and pianoman will probably also. You just need to take us each on a guided elk hunt and we eqch have to kill a elk. Put each elk into a cooler that you buy us with lots of ice and then we can all sit and drink beer and watch the coolers to see which cooler loses ice sooner. When should piano and i wait for you to pick us up for this?

[MarkyMark]

Another way to make your chest work better is to pre-cool it with frozen milk jugs filled with water.
I once took a Coleman marine cooler drilled a hole in it and sprayed some expanding foam into it. That sucker really kept things cold for a long time.

[Bean Counter]

I'm surprised, the coleman did well, I would like to see someone form the forum do a test so we know it's factual!

I'd be happy to, Dale. Please PM me your credit card info and I can get started on that today! 

here ya go 

1812 1812 1812 1812
exp 4/1/15
sc# 666

According to my Russian sources this information is incorrect. 

Speaking of that--anyway of knowing whether we  were one of the hacked websites?

[bearpaw]

I'm surprised, the coleman did well, I would like to see someone form the forum do a test so we know it's factual!

I'd be happy to, Dale. Please PM me your credit card info and I can get started on that today! 

here ya go 

1812 1812 1812 1812
exp 4/1/15
sc# 666

According to my Russian sources this information is incorrect. 

Speaking of that--anyway of knowing whether we  were one of the hacked websites?

Keep an eye on your bank account, if money disappears then something is wrong somewhere! 

(just joking, I haven't seen any signs of problems)

[Alchase]

Summary... buy the Coleman, a fraction of the cost, the same ice performance as the Yeti, and less than half the weight of the Yeti and the other "high end" one.

It would be interesting to have a test where it is 90 degrees and the cooler is opened every ten minutes to see if the performance is the same between brands.

I agree, id really like to see an actual real life scenario.  90 degree heat and direct sunlight, infiltration is a major factor considering the coleman doesn't have a lid gasket, and thinner insulation in areas like the cup holders. 
I think a thermometer inside during the test would have been nice as well.  After 8 days, one cooler could have 33 degree water in it, and anther could have 70 degree water in it.

It doesn't appear that not having a gasket hurt the Coleman Extreme. Conducting the test in hotter weather shouldn't affect the overall ranking much. It'll just shorten the time it takes to melt the ice.  With a difference in price of 10 times, I think it's a no-brainer.

The gasket will definitely be a factor in hotter weather.  The greater the delta T between the air inside and the air outside the cooler, than the faster the air will move between the two.  Its all about containing the different air pressures. 

True, but opening each up for the same amount of time lets the same volume of hot air in. The gasket "should" only make a difference when not opened or achieving a water tight seal to prevent leaks 

[northwesthunter84]

I got the 150 qt on sale last year for $50 at Walmart, that thing worked great last year.  I had no problems with keeping my elk cold for a few days until I was ready to head home.  Dry ice to have it cold initially really works well.  I just made sure the cooler was in the shade and that it stayed sealed.  I am going to get another for this year.  My bull filled that and part of my buddies 120 quart coleman extreme. 

[bowguy]

Fast food joints will fill coolers with ice for free typically. Gonna take mine in a few days early and have it filled to cool it, freeze/ refrigerate all foods/drinks. Dump the ice line it with a space blanket place frozen milk jugs load food and drinks and top off with ice. That's usually what I do.

[Bmcox86]

I just found a great deal on the Coleman cooler that plugs into the outlet of your car and i like it. Great for long road trips. But my igloos get the nod most of the time

[Lucky1]

I have the Coleman cooler. The hinges are weak and broke pretty quick. It does do a good job keeping stuff cold. Maybe I can put some better hinges on it. I just pop the lid off when I use it now.