Ice Packs for Cooler

CantWait4STJ · Post by **CantWait4STJ** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 11:42 pm

Hi, we're leaving for St. John this coming Friday...we're going to pack a cooler with some meat and need to find those hard ice packs...I googled them but don't have time now to shop online and get it delivered by then. Does anyone know where I can get this item now? Target? Walmart? Not finding much on their websites...do they go by other names? Thanks!!

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 7:34 am

We never pack anything but food in our cooler and it makes the 10 hour trip with no problems.
The key is to pack the cooler tight with no extra room. We wrap each item in newspaper and pack as much as we can into it and everything stays frozen.

Looking for fillers? Cheese, salami, etc are great for filling in that extra space and are great for cocktail hour at the villa!

stjchica · Post by **stjchica** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 11:42 am

Great tip xislandgirl....

Teresa_Rae · Post by **Teresa_Rae** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 3:46 pm

Wal-Mart has them, near the coolers usually.

I wouldn't risk not taking freezer packs because one time our cooler got "lost" in transport and we didn't get it for a few days.

augie · Post by **augie** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 3:52 pm

If you're checking the cooler then I'd go with the ice packs. If you're carrying it on, not only do you probably not need them, you may not be allowed to bring them.

JJShaw · Post by **JJShaw** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 4:21 pm

Ok this might sound crazy...but last time we came down..I realized at the last minute I hadnt bought anything to go in the cooler that would fit (we bought a back pack one). So I decided I would freeze a cpl water bottles and if they didnt make it thru security then no biggie because we are 2 hrs from the Airport at least I would have had help in keeping stuff cold that long...they were still frozen when we went thru the scanner...they asked that I open the bag and when he saw all the food..and fozen bottles of water asked...Are you going on a Picnic? I said yeah an extended one,for a week or so..I showed him the bottles and he said as long as they were frozen it was fine...so if nothing else..that should work...and you wont have to worry about bringing Ice packs back.. I used the back pack for items I bought..and have water to drink too..

Im sure I will do this again on our up coming trip.

sparis · Post by **sparis** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 11:19 am

Hi all, since people are providing tips on ice packs thought yu might have some tips on actual coolers. Thinking of packing one with meat and lunch meats for checking through and wasn't sure what kind of cooler to buy. Most of the ones I know don't have a way to seal the top, so could open during transit. Any tips? Thanks! And sorry if its a silly question, but I've never transported perishable food via checked luggage before.

augie · Post by **augie** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 1:53 pm

I highly recommend Polar Bear Coolers.

Efficient, rugged, and versatile.

I usually carry on the 24 can size, packed with frozen food.

Once we're on island it's our beach cooler, and on the way home we often put duty free rum, bought at the airport, into it for the return flight.

cjroyer · Post by **cjroyer** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 2:10 pm

Polar Bear is having a sale now too. Here's a coupon code for 10% off. Just got this email this morning.

Traveling for Spring Break? Don't forget to pack a Polar Bear Cooler. Order now and receive 10% off. Just use coupon code 5150 at Step 2 during check out. Or, call us at 888-438-7924.

www.polarbearcoolers.com

Have a great Spring!

Geoff Cole
Polar Bear Coolers
2695 Pine Grove Road
Suite 302
Cumming, GA 30041

JJShaw · Post by **JJShaw** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 4:14 pm

We have this one:

http://www.keepyourcooler.com/backpack-coolers.html

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 1:51 pm

The backpack cooler seems like a great idea. The villas we rent never seem to have the "perfect" size cooler. Either very large or the 6 pack variety. I have purchased a couple over the years while on island and donated them to the villa. JJShaw, which one of the coolers on that site do you have?

JJShaw · Post by **JJShaw** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:38 pm

Paul wrote:The backpack cooler seems like a great idea. The villas we rent never seem to have the "perfect" size cooler. Either very large or the 6 pack variety. I have purchased a couple over the years while on island and donated them to the villa. JJShaw, which one of the coolers on that site do you have?

We have this one..I love it...we use it quiet a bit..its just easier to carry it on our back rather than having to tote it around.

http://www.keepyourcooler.com/beachcooler.html

sparis · Post by **sparis** » Tue May 03, 2011 9:25 pm

Hey folks - getting close to our trip and revisiting the cooler thing. Back to icepacks. There seem to be so many recommends. Some say Techni-ice HDR 4 Pl, other say just get the typical blue icepacks, some say flexifreeze ice sheets or Icy Cools reusable matts. Any thoughts? I'm trying to keep our stuff frozen if at all possible for the 8 hour plus trip, as otherwise we'll have to cook it all fairly quickly, since we won't be able to go back into the freezer. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Stacey

usvi-on-line