how long does ice last in a cooler?

[Rising Phoenix]

[bicentennial_baby]

1. thanks sweetie!

you're the best, baby girl :bounce:

to clarify, ice in an unopened cooler :)

[DS1]

2. In this weather, and after filling the cooler with already cold

beverages, I'd say about 4-6 hours.

[bicentennial_baby]

3. hmmmm....thanks

much appreciated :)

[Jara sang]

4. Here is the trick,

Buy a block of ice. Crushed ice will melt much faster.

[Floogeldy]

5. When my refrigerator went out . . .

I would put two bags of ice in a cheap styrofoam cooler with my milk, cokes, cheese, butter, turkey, bla bla bla, and it would keep them cold for about 24 hours.

:)

[kmla]

6. Until it melts and turns into water....

*smack*

Ow! Stop hitting me!

[Left Is Write]

8. Darn you!

You took my answer. :D

[cwydro]

7. I have found

that cheap styrofoam coolers work WAY better than Colemans etc...

[TallahasseeGrannie]

9. I lived out of a cooler for 7 mos

the big Coleman type kept crushed ice at least COLD for 24 hours, although a lot melted. We added a bag a day. Freeze some milk jugs filled with water and that will help.

[pitohui]

10. less than 24 hrs

i find i have to change it every day but maybe you live in alaska!

[Xithras]

11. I have a 7 day cooler, but most last less than a day.

I have to echo another posters comment about an ice block. They last a LOT longer than crushed ice. Also, do NOT train the water as the ice melts. Water takes longer to heat than air, so icy water will keep your food cold longer.