Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: Jimmy33 on June 07, 2017, 04:58:31 PM

Title: Meat Cooler
Post by: Jimmy33 on June 07, 2017, 04:58:31 PM: Anyone have any success using an old freezer or fridge to be used as a game cooler? I thought about building one and using a coolbot but I would like to hear some ideas and success from others using something more simple and cheaper. Anyone successful hanging an elk quarters in anything they've built?

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Title: Re: Meat Cooler
Post by: jrebel on June 07, 2017, 05:10:19 PM: I built a walk in cooler using a coolbot and it is awesome. Used an old shed 8x12 and can fit multiple animals in it. My hunting camps and friends have gotten a ton of use out of it. I have a post somewhere on here if you search the forum for walk in coolers.
Title: Re: Meat Cooler
Post by: GrampasGuns on June 07, 2017, 05:15:55 PM: I second the cool bot. I have a friend who uses a dozen of em for vegetable coolers for his farm

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Title: Re: Meat Cooler
Post by: NOCK NOCK on June 07, 2017, 08:43:02 PM: I have used just a plain old fridge as my meat cooler for years. Can only handle 1 elk at a time(quartered and chunked) or 2 deer.
I am not a huge proponent of hanging meat for a long time ( I cant tell the difference in taste, its all tasty :drool:) just use mine to keep it cold till I have time to butcher
Title: Re: Meat Cooler
Post by: biggfish on June 08, 2017, 01:22:08 AM: If I had the space and money I'd love to get a koola buck.

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Title: Re: Meat Cooler
Post by: THunt on June 08, 2017, 05:53:25 AM: I have a coolbot I bought new and am not going to use. PM me if you go that route.
Title: Re: Meat Cooler
Post by: THE GUN 67 on June 08, 2017, 06:29:20 AM: I bought a used double door beverage cooler it works great!
Title: Re: Meat Cooler
Post by: littlemac on June 08, 2017, 08:08:29 AM: I hunted New Mexico for elk in early October, too far from town to haul the meat for each elk back in the heat (65-75 deg days). The guide used a portable walk in with a coolbot and it kept the meat cool til we needed to transport.

As others note, should work great for you!
Title: Re: Meat Cooler
Post by: Jimmy33 on June 08, 2017, 08:48:57 AM: Thanks for the info guys.

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Title: Re: Meat Cooler
Post by: Rem14 on June 08, 2017, 09:30:31 AM: I also use a coolbot, ran an add for cooler panels or walk in cooler wanted, ended up with a 5' x 9' walk in for free, no cooling equipment. I added the AC and coolbot works great.
Title: Re: Meat Cooler
Post by: LeviD1 on June 09, 2017, 09:38:07 PM: I love my coolbot. Been running for 2 years during season. The site recommended a 18k btu winder a.c. for my 12x10. I went with 24k btu because it was like $50 more because it was on sale. Have r15 insulation in the walls with 1 1/2" foam over that, sheet rocked, with frp panelling over that. It does not matter how hot it is and the shed is full sun all day. Holds 40 degrees solid. Best investment for early archery season.
Title: Re: Meat Cooler
Post by: LeviD1 on June 09, 2017, 09:39:36 PM: Here's one that shows the unit.
Also it will cool it from 85 to 40 in about 5 minutes.
Title: Re: Meat Cooler
Post by: autodink13 on June 10, 2017, 09:02:52 AM: That is a sweet setup!

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Title: Re: Meat Cooler
Post by: PolarBear on June 10, 2017, 10:04:21 AM: Quote from: LeviD1 on June 09, 2017, 09:39:36 PM
Here's one that shows the unit.
Also it will cool it from 85 to 40 in about 5 minutes.
Nice! Looks like you stole my kitchen and bathroom floors. LOL!
I need to build a walk-in. I have a cooling unit from a double door Snapple cooler that I completely rebuilt, new compressor and all. Even with a cool bot that it would be not enough for a walk-in. It would be perfect for someone who wanted to build one that just held a couple of deer or elk. If anyone is interested in the unit I am looking to sell. I want to build a 12x14 0r 14x14 with u rails, rolling hooks, work table, shelves etc. Maybe after I get a few other projects done.
Title: Re: Meat Cooler
Post by: Wood2Sawdust on June 11, 2017, 01:19:35 PM: Make it big enough I built a12x12 underground not big enough
Title: Re: Meat Cooler
Post by: Wood2Sawdust on June 11, 2017, 01:26:35 PM: Built 12 in concrete lid and floor 6 inch walls, with 2 feet dirt on top, It stays 70 degrees in summer even with 2 freezers putting out heat in there. In winter about 42 degrees. 2 inch foil wrapped foam on most of walls and lid. I put rebar hangers in ceiling when I built it. Coolbot will cool it down to 34 pretty fast when I need it. My wife and son's family think it is for more than the meat that I built it for.
Title: Re: Meat Cooler
Post by: Wood2Sawdust on June 11, 2017, 01:35:04 PM: Outside
Title: Re: Meat Cooler
Post by: Ghost Hunter on June 27, 2017, 06:01:40 AM: The place we bought years ago has a 6' x 10' cooler, complete with hanging rails, built in the garage. Old compressor setup never has worked. Never wanted to fund a replacement for a 40 year old compressor so I put shelves in and been using it for storage. Doing some organizing and cleanup, and decided it's time to put it to use for what it was designed for. This Coolbot deal looks like the way to go.
If I go with a 18K - 24K BTU unit, will it get temps down to low-mid 30's?
Thunt, I might be interested if you still have the Coolbot.
Title: Re: Meat Cooler
Post by: baker5150 on June 27, 2017, 07:02:47 AM: Quote from: Ghost Hunter on June 27, 2017, 06:01:40 AM
The place we bought years ago has a 6' x 10' cooler, complete with hanging rails, built in the garage. Old compressor setup never has worked. Never wanted to fund a replacement for a 40 year old compressor so I put shelves in and been using it for storage. Doing some organizing and cleanup, and decided it's time to put it to use for what it was designed for. This Coolbot deal looks like the way to go.
If I go with a 18K - 24K BTU unit, will it get temps down to low-mid 30's?
Thunt, I might be interested if you still have the Coolbot.

For that size room 18-24k should be just fine, if not big. Too big and it can cycle the unit causing pre-mature failure, but, if your only hanging meat once or twice a year I wouldn't sweat it.

Another thing to remember is, like a refrigerator, the system will work better if it has a load on it. I'd keep some flats of bottled water, or jugs of water in the cooler when your running it empty. Doesn't take much, but will keep the temps more consistant and the compressor will thank you.
Title: Re: Meat Cooler
Post by: Stein on June 27, 2017, 07:57:35 AM: This is getting me thinking, maybe I'll dream up a small setup that isn't permanent and doesn't cost much. I have a window ac unit that won't be doing much in October as well as a unit out of a soda machine. I'm thinking something like Koolabuck, only not $3,500. It would primarily be for my garage, but could also be portable and run off a generator for summer hunts.

I just insulated the top of my fishbox in my boat with the bubble wrap/foil stuff. It is pretty pricey, but you could simply sew that onto some cheap fabric and use a simple pvc frame to hold it up. I could probably get that done for under $150.
Title: Re: Meat Cooler
Post by: JDHasty on June 27, 2017, 09:14:00 AM: Quote from: Wood2Sawdust on June 11, 2017, 01:26:35 PM
Built 12 in concrete lid and floor 6 inch walls, with 2 feet dirt on top, It stays 70 degrees in summer even with 2 freezers putting out heat in there. In winter about 42 degrees. 2 inch foil wrapped foam on most of walls and lid. I put rebar hangers in ceiling when I built it. Coolbot will cool it down to 34 pretty fast when I need it. My wife and son's family think it is for more than the meat that I built it for.

Next place I purchase will demand a long trip to the far end of the property to get to my shop (my shop means mine and mine alone , and no one else will store so much as a business card in it). Period. Full stop.
Title: Re: Meat Cooler
Post by: Ghost Hunter on June 27, 2017, 09:25:20 AM: Quote from: JDHasty on June 27, 2017, 09:14:00 AM
Quote from: Wood2Sawdust on June 11, 2017, 01:26:35 PM
Built 12 in concrete lid and floor 6 inch walls, with 2 feet dirt on top, It stays 70 degrees in summer even with 2 freezers putting out heat in there. In winter about 42 degrees. 2 inch foil wrapped foam on most of walls and lid. I put rebar hangers in ceiling when I built it. Coolbot will cool it down to 34 pretty fast when I need it. My wife and son's family think it is for more than the meat that I built it for.

Next place I purchase will demand a long trip to the far end of the property to get to my shop (my shop means mine and mine alone , and no one else will store so much as a business card in it). Period. Full stop.

:yeah: :chuckle: :chuckle: I seem to keep collecting empty canning jars that don't fill up :dunno: :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Meat Cooler
Post by: High Climber on June 27, 2017, 09:28:39 AM: Quote from: Ghost Hunter on June 27, 2017, 06:01:40 AM
The place we bought years ago has a 6' x 10' cooler, complete with hanging rails, built in the garage. Old compressor setup never has worked. Never wanted to fund a replacement for a 40 year old compressor so I put shelves in and been using it for storage. Doing some organizing and cleanup, and decided it's time to put it to use for what it was designed for. This Coolbot deal looks like the way to go.
If I go with a 18K - 24K BTU unit, will it get temps down to low-mid 30's?
Thunt, I might be interested if you still have the Coolbot.
I have a 6x9ish that I use a coolbot for. I have a 12,000 btu a/c and it holds 35 no problem.
Title: Re: Meat Cooler
Post by: luvmystang67 on June 27, 2017, 09:45:04 AM: I'd just get the biggest 110V AC unit you can find (12,000 to 14,000 BTU) and use a cool bot. Should be able to hold 36 or 37 no problem. I have great luck with mine and don't even have that great of insulation.
Title: Re: Meat Cooler
Post by: coop2424 on June 27, 2017, 11:01:37 AM: I bought THunt's coolbot and then found a commercial cooler for dirt cheap so now not going to use it. If any of you guys are interested in it pm me.