Tip of the week...

How to pack and treat a cooler

You waste a lot of ice if you throw it into a cooler that’s just been pulled from a hot garage. Instead, store the cooler at room temperature or lower and, if possible, leave ice in it overnight to pre-cool it. Refrigerate all beverages before they hit the cooler, and freeze any items you can.

should start with twice as much ice as food and drink. A mix of cubed ice and dry ice is ideal, but a mix of cubed and block ice is nearly as good. To eliminate air gaps, fill the cooler to capacity.

Meltwater in a cooler is almost as cold as the ice, and it makes the ice last longer. Use internal trays or watertight containers to prevent meat and other foods from getting wet.

Set the cooler in the shade if possible, and if you can’t, cover it with a light-colored blanket or towel. Source: