The unstable fear that comes with packing a foam cooler you just bought from the store with ice, drinks, and food is familiar to many of us, and there’s an obvious reason for it. Most of us have experienced or witnessed a foam cooler disaster in which a fully loaded foam cooler, bought cheaply at a convenience store or in the bargain section of a department store, just gets up and decides to collapse and spill everything in it. the land. It’s so common that they’ve earned a somewhat negative reputation over the years.
The fact is, these types of cooler collapses are totally unnecessary, and you, as a consumer, can start to do something about it immediately by integrating these three key standards into your purchasing decision when purchasing a foam cooler to use when enjoying the beach, picnic, fishing, or any other outdoor activity.
DON’T be fooled by a really “CHEAP” price
Cheaper expanded polystyrene (eps) foam coolers are actually more expensive than they sound when you factor in how easily they break and need to be replaced. It certainly goes into the cost of gas needed to get them recycled, and the time it takes to cool down after experiencing a cooler failure (ham sandwiches taste bad with beach sand, even when you douse them with mustard). When you buy a quality one instead, you spend a few extra cents or dollars, but there is no worry about whether the cooler is going to fall apart, the item is reusable, can be used for other purposes, and in the end, you save money by not have to buy another.
LOOK and FEEL the DEFECTS on the surface and inside
Foam coolers are not supposed to sweat or drip, nor are they supposed to crumble easily when scratched. The surface should appear semi-smooth without many dimples (deep dimples in the surface indicate lower trim at the factory). Run your fingernail over it and see if the little eps foam beads start to fall off. If so, then the cooler has not been properly fused in the molding process. This can happen when a manufacturer tries to increase profits by having the cooler rush to generate more in less time. If the little foam beads do not fuse well, then the strength and the level of water resistance decrease. Make sure you don’t see a lot of individual foam beads that appear to be barely connected to each other. Beads must be married, not just dating.
Check THICKNESS and RIGIDITY on all
If the cooler appears somewhat translucent when held in the light, it may be too thin (and brittle, brittle, even leaking). Does it flex easily? Not particularly good, if so. You would be justified if you were feeling shaky about buying something thinner than 5/8 of an inch. Better yet, save yourself some money in the long run by going even thicker than that to the “coolers” category. A foam cooler is generally 3/4 to 1 inch or more thick. They last a long time when fully fused and work properly on the manufacturer’s line. Their value is evidenced by the fact that they are preferred by shippers of seafood and companies that have to ship valuable perishable goods over long distances, as well as being reusable and recyclable.
Be very careful with cheap brands where the thickness of the cooler varies, starting thicker at the top of the main body and getting thinner towards the bottom of the cooler, because that means the cooler gets weak where the load exerts the load. increased pressure. . Make sure the thickness of the cooler is uniform to make it more reliable.
So if the foam cooler you buy is of a safe thickness (consistently around the body), very stiff, and has a fully fused foam surface and an interior appearance that does not come apart when lightly tested with your fingernail, then You should be able to relax with it when you pack it with treats and ice for your day at the beach or the park or other outdoor fun. You may have to pay a bit more initially for a great foam cooler that lasts, but in the end you will save money and you won’t jump and scream in frustration when your beer ends up on the dirt.
