Read here everything about buying a portable cool box and what to look out for!

The summer days are coming again and that means high temperatures! On warm days, we all want to find ways to cool down. It's also important to drink plenty during hot weather. Don't you also dislike lukewarm drinks? A cool box is the solution to keep your food and drinks chilled. They come in different colours, from pink to blue to yellow. There's plenty of choice! The cool box is the perfect companion for a day out, picnic, road trip or camping adventure. This way you can enjoy the lovely weather while cooling down at the same time.

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How does an electric cool box work?

An electric cool box works in the same way as a regular refrigerator, but on a smaller scale. The cool box uses a cooling system consisting of a compressor, evaporator and condenser to lower the temperature inside and keep food and drinks cool. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the cool box and transfers it to the condenser on the outside of the cool box, where it is dissipated. In this way, the temperature inside gradually decreases. Some electric cool boxes even have a freezing function and/or a heating function, giving you great flexibility in what you want to store in the cool box. The boxes are easy to use and can be connected to the power supply of a car, boat or caravan. It's all possible, making it a very handy product.

How does a cool box with ice packs work?

This cool box works differently from the electric one. With this type, you don't need to plug it into a socket, as the cool box with ice packs works differently. It is a standalone box that is well insulated. In this passive cool box, you place frozen ice packs, which you need to put in the freezer beforehand. They are usually filled with a liquid that remains cold at low temperatures. This lowers the temperature inside the cool box, keeping food and drinks cool. It won't stay cool for an entire day in high temperatures. However, the advantage is that you're not tied to electricity. They are portable and easy to take along. So you can go anywhere you want with the cool box!

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What kind of cool box do I need?

The most important cool boxes are the electric cool box and the cool box with ice packs. Both have advantages and disadvantages that may influence your choice. It's therefore useful to carefully consider which option is best for you. That's why we've listed everything for you.

Advantages and disadvantages of an electric cool box

Easy to use: First of all, they are very user-friendly and when connected to the power supply, they start working immediately.
Stable temperature: Because this cool box works when connected to electricity, the temperature stays around the same degrees Celsius. The outside temperature has no effect on the inside of the cool box.
Freezing function and/or heating function: Some electric cool boxes have such a function, which only gives you more possibilities when using a cool box.
Dependent on electricity: This cool box only works when it is connected to the power supply. This could be a disadvantage if you want to take the cool box to the beach for the day.
Less portable: Electric cool boxes are often larger and heavier, making them less easy to carry.

Advantages and disadvantages of a cool box with ice packs

No dependence on electricity: These cool boxes are not dependent on the power supply and can therefore be taken anywhere.
Easy to carry: Because the cool box with ice packs is designed to be taken everywhere, it is easy to carry.
Quiet: The cool box does not need to be connected to electricity, so it doesn't make any annoying noise.
Short lifespan of the ice packs: The ice packs in the cool box will eventually no longer be cold enough to properly cool the inside.

How long does a cool box stay cold?

On a warm day, you want to enjoy cold drinks from the cool box for as long as possible. A cool box can stay cold for up to 24 hours, depending on various factors such as the ambient temperature, the quality of the ice pack and how often the cool box is opened. It is also important to ensure that the cool box is properly sealed to keep the cold air inside and warm air outside. This way you can keep the contents chilled for as long as possible. An electric cool box can cool up to about 20 degrees below the ambient temperature. If it's 25 degrees in the caravan, the cool box can cool down to at least 5 degrees. You need to take this into account on a day with high temperatures. In general, the larger the cool box and the more ice packs are used, the longer the cool box stays cold.

How many litres cool box do you need?

Besides cool boxes having different operating methods, they also come in various sizes. These sizes are expressed in litres. There are small cool boxes and large cool boxes – there's an option for every occasion. It depends on how much food and drinks you want to bring along. Are you going for a short picnic or a bike ride? Then a mini cool box is recommended, these are around 10 litres or 12 litres. This is sufficient if you only want to bring some drinks and a small snack. Do you want to be out for a whole day with several people? Then a cool box of 20-30 litres is usually sufficient. If you plan to go out with a larger group, it's recommended to purchase an even bigger one. It's important to remember that the size of the cool box can also affect the cooling capacity and how long the contents stay cold. A larger cool box may require more ice packs to keep the contents at the right temperature.

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What do you put in a cool box?

Besides the ice packs in the cool box, you also want to have room for your food and drinks. What are handy things to bring in such a box? Basically, you can bring whatever you want. However, you need to keep in mind that the ice packs will eventually no longer be cold enough to keep everything chilled. Food that will spoil if it gets too warm needs to be watched carefully. You certainly want to avoid that. You'll need to pay more attention to some products than others. Besides food and drinks, you can also store your medication and sunscreen in the cool box.

How do you maintain a cool box?

Food and drinks go into the cool box, and it's also possible that frozen water melts. This can cause the inside of the box to become dirty and wet. Mould can also develop if you don't clean it properly after a day out with the cool box. How to properly clean such a cool box is described below.

Clean the cool box immediately after use. Clean it with warm water and some washing-up liquid. Make sure you dry it thoroughly as well. This will prevent mould from forming.
Do not use abrasive or aggressive cleaning products to clean the cool box, as these can damage the inside of the cool box.
Regularly check whether the seal is still working properly. This ensures that warm air from outside does not come into contact with the cool temperature inside the cool box. It is usually a rubber or silicone strip around the lid. If it is no longer in good condition, you will need to replace it.
Store the cool box in a cool, dry place and avoid exposure to direct sunlight and high temperatures. This can damage the insulation of the cool box and reduce cooling performance.

Can a cool box withstand rain?

Cool boxes are not designed to be left out in the rain. Many cool boxes are not fully waterproof and can let water in when exposed to rain. If you plan to use a cool box outdoors and rain is forecast, it is advisable to place the cool box on an elevated spot, such as a table or another raised surface, to prevent water from flowing into the cool box. It is also a good idea to cover the cool box with a rain cover or a tarp to prevent water from getting into the cool box.

What material are our cool boxes made of?

The cool box is often an easily portable container that goes everywhere with you. So it needs to be able to take a knock. A cool box is primarily made of plastic, both on the outside and the inside. Inside the walls, there is rigid foam for insulation. This keeps the contents nicely cool and the ambient temperature has no effect on the inside of the cool box. In the cool box with ice packs, these coolers are placed to keep the temperature low for the contents. They contain a specific liquid. They have a plastic or metal casing filled with a water-based gel or a sodium polyacrylate solution. You freeze them and then place them in the cool box.

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Brands of our picnic cool boxes

In our range, we have various brands that offer cool boxes. Polarbox has a wide range of cool boxes. They are available in various pastel colours, so you can even choose your favourite colour! Whether you want to go on a day out or take a walk. Polarbox is ready for you on every occasion. There is a choice of cool boxes in 12 and 20 litres. Besides Polarbox, Cosy & Trendy is also in our range. They are practical yet quality cool boxes. This brand also has them in 12 litres, but even in 24 litres. These cool boxes are also electric, making them handy on the go and at your destination. Finally, the Sunnylife cool box is also available for you. With this cool box, you'll steal the show. They have a beautiful colour and a built-in Bluetooth speaker! With a capacity of 15 litres, there's room for plenty of drinks on this wonderful beach day.

What is the difference between a cooler bag and a cool box?

There are so many ways to keep your food and drinks cool. They come in different shapes and sizes. You also have the portable cooler bag. This is much smaller than the cool box, but what are all the differences? These are described below.

Size: Cool boxes are much larger than a cooler bag. You can therefore fit much more inside.
Portability: Cooler bags are always easy to carry. Smaller cool boxes are also easy to carry. When you go for a large cool box, this becomes more difficult.
Material: Cool boxes are a sturdy construction and can take a knock. Cooler bags, on the other hand, are made of a completely different material and are less resistant to knocks.
Price: Cooler bags are cheaper than cool boxes. This is because they are often smaller and made of a different material.

What should you look out for when buying a cool box?

Are you also looking forward to the warm summer days? The cool box is definitely a must-have to help you cool down. You'll first need to look at which cool box suits you best and what the points are to look out for. To make it as easy as possible for you, the points are described below.

Capacity: Choose a cool box with sufficient capacity for your needs. Think carefully about how much food and drinks you want to bring and how long you want to keep them chilled. This way you can determine how large or small the cool box should be.
Portability: Would you like to take the cool box on a day out? Then good portability is useful. This also applies to a picnic or a day at the beach, although you'll be carrying it around less in those cases. Consider how important portability is to you and factor this into your choice.
Brand: Do you see a good brand among our options? Then you can look further into it and purchase a beautiful cool box.
Price: If you have a budget in mind for the cool box, that's no problem at all. Cookinglife offers cool boxes in various price ranges.
The type of cool box: There are several types of cool boxes, including the electric cool box and the cool box with ice packs. See for yourself which you prefer.

Buy a cool box?

Are you convinced to purchase a cool box? This way you can spend the summer feeling refreshed! Bring your favourite chilled drinks and food with you using the cool box. Head to the beach or organise a picnic – anything is possible. Want to start using the cool box soon? Cookinglife will send it to you as quickly as possible once you've completed your order! Are you looking for products to take along in the cool box or similar items? Then have a look at the following categories: muesli cup, fruit box, lunchbox, kids lunchbox, kids drinking cup, water bottle, food carrier, picnicking, camping tableware or coffee to go cup. Complete your day out with the cool box!