Cool boxes are certainly a convenient product in hot weather. Whether your cooler is to keep drinks cold or to ensure foods like meat and dairy remain safe to eat, or even to prevent moisture from building up inside the delicate workings of expensive electronic devices, in the long run will save money. by using a refrigerator. Taking food and drinks with you when you go out allows you to go further afield, where fewer fast food chains turn to burgers; in fact, you can bring your own burgers in your cooler and flip your own for lunch.
A visit to the website of an Australian supplier has revealed the results of tests they carried out under controlled conditions, showing that the ice boxes they tested would keep commercial party ice frozen for 7-10 days in all four boxes. Although this test was not specifically designed to show whether fiberglass was more efficient than polyethylene or vice versa, one of the boxes tested was the 80 liter fiberglass box which was found to keep ice frozen until the end of the tenth day. The other ice boxes included in this test were plastic boxes of the same size.
Whether there is a big difference between fiberglass and polyethylene is debatable, as the other cooler that kept ice frozen until the end of the 10th day was a 85-liter polyethylene plastic box. Meanwhile, the rest of the boxes kept the ice frozen until the end of the 7th day. This suggests that the efficiency could have more to do with the insulation than with the materials from which the box is made. Fiberglass coolers certainly have drawbacks, but there are benefits as well.
The deeper problem with fiberglass coolers is that they are more easily damaged than their polyethylene counterparts. Fiberglass is more brittle, making it more prone to cracking, which can allow water to enter the insulation cavity. This will cause the box to lose some of its insulating qualities. Another problem related to reduced insulation is the cap which is often not built along the extra thick lines found in polyethylene caps. Having said that, however, fiberglass ice boxes are easier to clean and look attractive. Many people would buy a fiberglass cooler for its appearance, as the glossy finish presents a smooth, aesthetic appeal that is often lacking in polyethylene coolers.
Once you start looking for a cooler, you’ll notice that whether you look at modern polyethylene coolers or fiberglass coolers, both have attractive construction. There is often a wider range of polyethylene boxes to choose from, and fiberglass boxes are often available in a smaller range. Common sizes for fiberglass coolers are 50 liters, 80 liters and 110 liters. They are also available in a rectangular shape that is long enough to accommodate the length of those extra long fish.
Modern boxes will generally keep ice frozen for up to 9 days. This is because insulation is paramount, paying attention and detail to the lid seal, as well as the quality of the latches, each of which is usually corrosion resistant and easily replaceable. Another benefit found on many fiberglass ice chests is non-slip thermoplastic elastomer feet that have been designed to keep the cold box from shifting. These elastomer feet have been designed so that they do not mark the surface on which they rest. This is just another example of the modern cool box manufacturer’s attention to detail.