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BYOC (Bring Your Own Cooler)
The first step is bringing the cooler with you to the supermarket or convenience store. Instead of letting the ice slowly melt in your trunk on the drive home, you can keep it in a cold, contained environment from the start.
When buying the ice, pick up both blocks and cubes. If the store doesn’t have any blocks of ice for sale, buy gallon jugs of water to freeze at home. (Note that this typically takes 24 to 48 hours.) They make an excellent alternative to loose ice blocks because they contain the mess as they thaw, and you can drink the water later. As for cubed ice, always buy more than you think you need — you’ll likely use it.
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How To Properly Pack a Cooler
Now it’s time to load the cooler. Begin by placing the ice blocks at the bottom; they take longer to melt than cubed ice and create a cold base layer. Leave a gap between each block to pack in your beverages; direct contact with the ice is the secret to keeping those drinks cool. Remember to prechill the drinks the night before, or their lukewarm temperature may cause the ice to melt prematurely.
Once you’ve loaded a layer of drinks, add a layer of cubed ice. Repeat the process with another layer of drinks and more cubes. Think of it like making a lasagna, but with ice and drinks instead of noodles and meat. Keep layering until you reach the top of the cooler; eliminating those empty pockets of air keeps everything frozen longer. Finally, close the lid and go enjoy your day. These tips will ensure your ice lasts as long as the party does.
