They work well in large coolers, but wont overwhelm smaller ones. Although the setup is a bit of a hassle, this ice gel pack is one of the best ice packs we tested. Basically, the larger the ice pack, the longer it will last because it has a better surface area to mass ratio. But, if youre concerned about chemicals, you might still opt for a water-filled pack. If youre trying to cool a 100-quart beast, you need the big guns. Our top pick is the Cooler Shock Reusable Ice Packs. All cooler ice packs should contain non-toxic gel and plastic that wont contaminate your food. 6. Ice packs range in size from about 5 inches wide by 5 inches long up to 10 inches wide by 13 inches long. Remove as much air as possible and seal. One pack in a 16-quart cooler can keep food cold for an entire day. Cooler Shock is one of the most popular ice packs for your cooler. Just be sure to let your ice packs dry thoroughly before refreezing to limit ice crystals and condensation. Mattie Schuler is an adventure journalist who specializes in the outdoor industry. She works primarily in the polar regions as an expedition guide, though she can be found hiking, climbing, skiing, sailing, or paddling in some of the worlds most amazing places when not at work. Rugged and reliable, the Orion Frostbite Arctic Ice is an ice pack designed for larger coolers, thanks to its large size and 28F (2C) freezing point. Theyre similar in terms of size and cooling power to the other lunchbox ice packs in this list, but they have a soft shell, which makes them much more flexible. You add the water, seal and save! The last ice pack on this list is one of the best-reviewed on Amazon. The one downside? Available Shipping Methods: Standard: Typically 3-8 business days.Flat rate of $6.99; Express: Typically 2-3 business days.Rates vary based on order total. The reusable ice packs provide cooling at 18F for up to two days thanks to a proprietary cooling gel mixture. The packs are also dishwasher-safea breeze to clean in the event of a mess. Trapped air bubbles can cause hard shell freezer packs to balloon out, ruining their flat shape. Although they have a higher upfront cost, they help you save money down the line because you dont need to buy more ice for every trip. Whats more, youll feel good knowing theyre also biodegradable. So, care is needed when handling it to prevent freezing injuries. These ice packs may be small and space-saving, but they can stay cool for up to 12 hours. Price (Amazon) $20.00. GearHungry may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Replaces Block Ice for Lg. With a built-in handle, this pick is made for those in need of an ice pack for a large wheeled cooler for the barbecue as it can stay cool for a long time in cold or warm heat. Reusable ice packs contain special chemicals that keep things cold, whether for shipping refrigerated items or stocking your cooler for a day at the beach. But ice can be messy. One triple-insulated 12-ounce bag lasts for up to 20 hours in a cooler with a tight-fitting lid and can replace around 18 pounds of ice. Cooler Shock cooler ice packs actually accelerates cooling - 8 mil thick flexible 3 layer foil & nylon pack - Detailed Cooler use guide right on back of pack ; 800,000 + SOLD ON AMAZON - 1 year 100% money back guarantee and fast service. Overnight: Order by 11AM EST for overnight delivery.Rates vary based on order total. When you purchase them, they arrive flat and are filled with a powder that transforms into a gel when mixed with water. These Cooler Shock packs, which use a water-and-gel mixture, feature an 8-ml thick foil and nylon cover that prevents rips or cuts. Weve been researching the best ice packs for every type of cooler, from lunch boxes to massive hunting coolers. Sold in a set of 2, these ice packs are made from BPA-Free plastic thats appropriate for use around food. Food safe. And theyre reusable, saving money and the hassle of having to purchase ice. As the instructions advised, we separated the packs before freezing them. Hydro Flask 35L Insulated Cooler Tote $74.95 Shipping Available ADD TO CART Igloo Ringleader Rucksack Backpack Cooler $69.99 Shipping Available ADD TO CART 2022 Ringleader Dual Compartment Pail Cooler $34.99 Shipping Available ADD TO CART 7 + ICEMULE Classic Medium 15L Cooler $84.95 Shipping Available ADD TO CART It also makes them very durable, long-lasting, and reusable. Both ice cubes and ice packs can keep food and drinks cold in a cooler, but ice packs are generally considered better for one important reason: they limit any mess. Thankfully, the ice packs did get colder than any other ice pack our tester used, keeping fruit frozen and seltzers and beer cold for 22 hours in a cooler outside. If you are looking for an ice pack that is flexible, use the FlexiFreeze Ice Sheet. Each cubes filler is water, so even if one breaks, you can continue to use the whole remaining sheet. A: Ice packs might not cool down the contents of a cooler as fast as ice, but they keep things colder longer. The cooler packs come in a dozen five different sizessmall to extra-extra-largeso you can customize your ice cold needs to the size of your cooler. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Keep in mind that ice, which is either crushed or in numerous cubes, can better surround items, keeping food and drinks more evenly chilled than rigid ice packs that cannot be dispersed throughout the cooler as easily. The main advantage of ice packs is that they make no mess as they thaw and they are reusable. Says Matthew Raiford, a chef and author of Bress n Nyam: Gullah Geechee Recipes from a Sixth Generation Farmer, "My favorite type ofice pack keeps everything else from getting all wet and soggy. our process. In fact, theyre water-based. This ice pack from YETI ICE is for larger coolers. Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics including environmental science and houseplants. But then we noticed the bottles had shifted around a bit and the tonic water was no longer touching the ice pack, so we rearranged the bag and left it overnight. The sub-freezing temperature ensures that the user will get more time out of the ice pack than a traditional gel or fluid-filled solution. This innovative design makes the OICEPACK one of the most versatile cooler packs on the market. Insulated Diabetic Travel Case - Coming with 4 reusable gel ice packs, to keep your insulin cool for a long time. If frozen liquid items are partially melted, slushy, or have any liquid at the bottom of the container, they must meet 3-1-1 liquids requirements. The idea here is that ice packs with lower freezing points will last longer because they need to absorb more heat before they melt. Chills ice and contents of your cooler fast and helps keep your ice colder longer Designed to withstand the toughest of bumps, tumbles and thuds Custom shape reduces freezing time in your freezer No puddles to drain, just toss it back in your freezer when you get home Made in USA. Customize your new cold compress with touches like a homemade ice pack cover, food coloring, or scented oil. Instructions for Use Cut ice packs into desired configuration with scissors. However, many do not realize there is some setup required to use your Cooler Shock for the first time.. Package contains: 1 insulin travel case + 4pcs ice packs + 1 extra folding pouch + 2 small detachable zipper pockets. But, as a general rule, larger ice packs with lower freezing temperatures, like the YETI ICE Pack, can normally last about 2 to 3 days in a well-insulated cooler and even longer in a burly rotomolded cooler with a freezer-quality gasket. Stack these on one half of the cooler, alternating every layer with ice.". The three-layer bags are designed to absorb and transfer energy and due to the bags large surface area, it can distribute an incredible amount of cooling power. No evidence suggests that ice packs stay cold longer than ice; however, many ice packs feature lower freezing points, which means they can maintain a colder temperature than ice during the thawing period. A bulky ice pack can really interfere with what you can store and how you can store it. Hard-sided packs are good for keeping the temperature down, but may not fit if you have awkwardly shaped items in your cooler or need lots of direct contact with items, such as canned drinks or bottles. That means it doesnt sweat (like soft plastic ice packs) and cause moisture damage to the contents of your cooler. The case does more than make the whole thing look good, too. These are the perfect ice packs for coolers taller than 6.5-inches. These ice packs are slightly taller and thicker (6.5 x 4.25 x 0.3 inches) than the Fit & Fresh Cool Coolers. The gels have a much lower freezing point than water. Soft sided construction. Cooler Shock formula shipped to you dry. The Cooler Shock packs are available in three sizes: large (10 x 14 inches), medium (10 x 10 inches), and lunch bag (7 x 7 inches). The seat cover Medway impresses with a high-quality mix ofmaterials. Though these picks are filled with gel, water, or both, each is tear and impact-proof to avoid leaks and toxins from entering your cooler. The ice pack is break-resistant, so it can withstand the most extreme adventures. The Commitment. Another added that . One of the best things about these Nordic Ice Packs is that they double up nicely as ice packs for injuries. Despite being exceptionally cheap (especially compared to other similar options), these cold packs are powered by a gel substance housed in a heavy duty plastic pouch. Coolers, Long Trips, Catering. The right ice pack can help to keep food cool in your lunch bag or drinks cold in your cooler. Ice packs, like the Orion Frostbite Arctic Ice, are hard or soft-sided containers that are filled with water, silica, food coloring, and propylene glycol. Cooler Shock is a gel when warm and a solid block when frozen. When consumers consider the environmental hazards of discarding ice packs, theyre usually concerned about the bright blue gel inside the packs. The packs are made from high-density polyethylene, a material thats thicker than others and wont deform or break after being frozen. Surprisingly, the bottle of tonic was much warmer than it had been a few hours ago. We purchased the GenTap Cooler Shock Dry Packs so our reviewer could put it to the test in her kitchen. That means you can permanently house a few inside your icebox to make sure you always have a cold pack ready. They all come with a 2-year warranty against defects and manufacturing issues for added peace of mind after you buy. They offer superior longevity, are made from durable materials, and meet a variety of different cooling applications. Our top choice is the Cooler Shock Reusable Ice Packs. If trying to keep a larger cooler or multiple lunch boxes chilled, you need a few ice packs. Bentgo Ice Lunch Chillers are just $10 (at the time of writing) and will do the trick for smaller coolers. What are Cooler Shock Ice Packs?Cooler Shock ice packs are an ice alternative that far outperformice, saving both weight and space. So, these models are best for situations where your food needs to stay really cold for a long time, rather than for your lunch that youll eat in a few hours. Plus, the budget-friendly Fit & Fresh XL Coolers are designed in the USA by a women-owned company, so you can feel good about what you buy. The only downside is that they weigh 2.5lbs, which makes it the heaviest ice pack on this list as well. This pack comes in a set of three, making it the equivalent of 18 pounds of ice. On the other hand, options like the Orion Frostbite Arctic Ice, which have a large, flat shape, are better for lining the walls and floor of a larger cooler. However, opening your Igloo or Yeti to find that the ice has melted into your sandwich bag can put some dark clouds over even the best picnic spread. Cooler Shock Reusable Ice Packs for Cooler, Ice Packs for Lunch Bags, Long-Lasting Cold Freezer. Theyre also appropriately-sized. Hard ice packs are more durable, but they're more difficult to stuff into a cooler. Credit: Arctic Ice. Consider the size of the ice pack: Bigger doesnt always mean better. We noticed the pack had shrunk and the gel had shifted to the bottom, leaving a lot less surface area for our items to touch. No The bag of fruit had almost thawed out, but it was incredibly cold with chunks of ice still in it. Arctic Ices Packs are ideal for family-sized coolers that need some serious cooling power. When the bags arrived, they were entirely flat, foldable, and easy to store. Most ice packs contain a gel that consists of one of three nontoxic substances: hydroxyethylcellulose, sodium polyacrylate, or silica gel. Cooler Shock Reusable Ice Packs for Cooler - 3 Ice Packs for Coolers - Long-Lasting Cold Freezer. The non-toxic gel pack comes tucked in a stylish outer sleeve. With a cooling temperature of 18F (-7.8C), the Cooler Shock Freeze Packs are designed to stay cold for about 8 hours in the heat, making them perfect for shorter day trips. Reusable ice packs come in many different sizes, so a variety of packs will help you properly chill for the best results. These reusable packs are simply filled with water and can replace 18 pounds of ice. Ice packs last between 8 to 36 hours, on average. While they do take about 24 to 36 hours to freeze solid, they can keep food cold in a quality rotomolded cooler for days on end. Pack your ice blocks at the bottom of the cooler, and then cover the ice with a thin, solid layer like the side of a milk crate or a sheet of cardboard. Duration - Some ice packs can stay cold for up to 48 hours. Theres hardly any prep time involved, either. Boasting a unique performance-driven design, the TOURIT Ice Packs are a slim, convenient option for smaller coolers and short outdoor adventures. Another tip for keeping your cooler cold is to pre-chill with ice before packing, which will help the contents stay longer than if you packed a warm cooler pulled straight from a hot attic, car trunk, or garage. Method 1 Ziploc Ice Pack 1 Fill a Ziploc bag with 2 parts water and 1 part rubbing alcohol. Some of the best large ice packs can last up to two full days in a quality cooler. Theyre not as durable as their hard plastic counterparts. All the while, it wont sweat, so your food will stay in tiptop condition. Cooler Shock Ice Packs for Cooler - 2 Reusable, Long Lasting, Cold Freezer Packs for Coolers, Lunch Bags & Totes to Keep Food Fresh - Clear Brand: Cooler Shock 1,120 ratings -24% $2599 ($13.00 / Count) List Price: $33.99 FREE Returns Save Apply 5% coupon Terms Save 10% on 2 select item (s) Shop items Style: Clear 2-pack Clear 2-pack Gray 2-pack These high-performing ice packs are built for keeping food and drinks cold on longer camping trips, thanks to their 32F (0C) freezing point. The most unique part of Cooler Shock is these packs are shipped to the consumer with just the secret powder formula inside.