Ice Box

[Doug Rutherford]

Have a large icebox on my boat and am spending 2 months about this summer.
Have no experience with an icebox. Are there any tips or tricks I should know about? IE. Are several ice blocks better than one for longevity? How long will blocks last? Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Capt Clark]

2 tips...

1. You can lay down a layer of dry ice to extend the ice.
2. Extremely limit the number of times and duration of openings.

Capt Clark

[Rex Delay]

For 1 boat $ you can convert to Nova Kool fridge/freezer and then the ice compartment becomes a very large beer locker.

[Steve Bean]

CO2 (dry ice) is heavier than air, and in a poorly ventilated situation can pose a risk of suffocation. I would not use it in a boat.

[Phantom Jim]

More information really would help answer your query.

Certainly the make, model and year of your boat will help with the "staff" at Cruiser's Forum.

1. how available is ice going to be on your cruise
2. how big is big, how about some measurements
3. where are you cruising
4. what do you eat, what are you refrigerating
5. how many people are involved
6. how is the box insulated, Is it an older boat
7. how is the box accessed, top or side

This information will get you some detailed replies rather than diffuse suggestions.

[Captn_Black]

Originally Posted by Doug Rutherford

Have a large icebox on my boat and am spending 2 months about this summer.
Have no experience with an icebox. Are there any tips or tricks I should know about? IE. Are several ice blocks better than one for longevity? How long will blocks last? Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Keep the ice in a separate container inside the ice box. Makes it easier to empty out the water when you're done. I cut the top off an 8 ltr water bottle for this purpose. I keep my beers in the same box as the ice, and other food is stored beside it.

[jlcarreiro]

I've seen people use 1 liter water bottles, freeze them and when they thaw you have fresh water.

[psk125]

Big pieces of ice last longer than small ones, so butt blocks together & don't bother with cubes. (use an ice pick to get pieces for drinks). Many variables impact how long it lasts. Outside temperature, amount and type of insulation (r-value), volume of ice, how much stuff is stored there, and # of times the top is opened. We find that three 5-pound blocks last about four days in ours, but YMMV !

[Knotical]

I freeze gallon water containers at home then put them in the ice box, keeps things supercool for about 5 days before I have to re-freeze them. No water to drain from the box and another benefit is when the ice in those containers melt we can use it for additional drinking water.

[Chayal]

I found that by raising all the stored foods in the icebox really helps.

Basically a wire rack of some sort to keep food off the bottom of the box
To allow the cool air to circulate under the stored foods.

Helped a ton.

[Chayal]

Originally Posted by Steve Bean

CO2 (dry ice) is heavier than air, and in a poorly ventilated situation can pose a risk of suffocation. I would not use it in a boat.

This is true ^ My icebox has a drain, maybe to avoid this dangerous scenario? Kind of like a propane locker needing a dedicated vent (thru Hull usually/hopefully) lol

I only use dry ice.

[sanibel sailor]

Is it 2 months away from your home dock? Frozen water bottles won't work for long. If block ice is available, an icebox is workable in temperate climates. If only cubes are available, especially in a hot climate, keeping it stocked with ice is a nuisance.

Chill items before they go in. Don't let the ice sit in water. A "P trap" in the drain line so air does drain out.

[IslandInfedel]

Originally Posted by Chayal

This is true ^ My icebox has a drain, maybe to avoid this dangerous scenario? Kind of like a propane locker needing a dedicated vent (thru Hull usually/hopefully) lol

I only use dry ice.

As does mine.

Do most not have this drain?

Will dry ice damage the box?

[Chayal]

I’ve personally never seen an icebox without a drain.

I haven’t had any damage or discolouration, however, my icebox has a metal insert

. Maybe someone can chime in with this one since lots of newer ice boxes/coolers are of a plastic variety.

I honestly found getting all the stored food off the icebox floor and onto a rack made a noticeable difference. I highly recommend this.

[Chayal]

Doug, I get almost 2 weeks in my cooler. Wrap lots of newspaper around the dry ice of you do end up using it and be careful not to touch! I use oven mitts. The newspaper seems to insulate it

Prechilling the stored goods as suggested is also a great idea ^ that and pre chilling the box with ice before the dry ice goes in.