I T I N E R A R Y | S H O R T H O P S
Pack Your Cooler Like A Pro!
What is the first thing that comes to mind when I ask, “What is the coolest thing
about summer?” Is it the open sunroof on a drive along the coast? Extra time with family?
A day-trip to the San Juan Islands? All of these things sound great, by my hope for you is
the coolest thing on all of these adventures is your cooler! By Melanie Cates
finally, pre-chill your cooler. Packing ice
into a hot container will just cause it to
melt, so bring your cooler inside a day
or so prior to packing.
3. Skip Tetris. Pack in Layers.
Always start with a layer of chill at the
bottom, such as ice or gel packs. Next
add your protein and dairy (such as
eggs and cheese). Not only do these
items need to stay the coldest, they
often are the coldest. Add another layer
of ice, followed by drinks and condiments.
Follow that up with more ice
and then top with delicate items, like
fruit or sandwiches.
Whether you’re camping, on a road
trip or picnicking in your favorite park
— few things are more disappointing
than biting into a soggy sandwich. Unfortunately,
wet bread and slimy meat
is the fate of most people throwing a
cooler together. But it doesn’t have to
be. Let’s make swimming sandwiches a
thing of the past so your smorgasbord
overlooking Puget Sound is nothing but
a chilled-out good time.
1. Size and Strength Matter.
Coolers come in all shapes and sizes.
Now days some even have blenders and
speakers built in! Accessories aside,
nothing is more frustrating than starting
to pack your cooler just to realize
you don’t have enough room, no matter
how good you are at Tetris.
The longer the excursions, the sturdier
your cooler needs to be. Soft-sided
coolers tend to be ideal for day trips, as
they’re easier to carry and take up less
space. Hard-sided coolers typically offer
better insulation, making them ideal for
longer trips.
Having a second cooler is also
sometimes a time and space saver, so
you don’t have to dig through all of your
food to find a cold beverage.
2. Chill Out and Don’t Forget the Ice.
Now that you’ve planned, picked out
your cooler and remembered the ice
try and maintain a 2-to-1 ratio of ice or
gel packs to product. . It’s a good rule of
thumb when it comes to packing a cooler.
Gel packs have the distinct advantage
of keeping the temp down, without
dispersing moisture. It’s also a good idea
to pre-chill or freeze any items going in
your cooler. Room temperature drinks
will quickly deplete your ice supply. And
melanie cates illustration
4. Stay Shaded.
It may seem like common sense, but the
cooler you keep your cooler, the longer
your ice and food will last. When possible,
move your cooler into the shade.
Even just covering it with a light-colored
towel can help you keep the interior
temp from climbing.
5. Keep Closed and Carry on the Chill.
Constantly opening your cooler is
another common pitfall, as this lets
cold air out and warm air in. As much as
possible, limit the number of times you
go rummaging for goods.
ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD PUZZLE
ON PAGE 38.
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