How to pack a cooler

[buffdaddy]

I'm sure some of us will be using a cooler at some point this summer. Whether it's hanging out in the backyard, going to a family member or friends BBQ, camping or tailgating. I saw this small blurb on valetmag.com and really didn't know there was an art to it.

Anybody have any tips for improving the method below?

Invest in a quality cooler. No cooler? This method will still work in an ice chest to a hotel room sink.

Neatly cover the bottom. Bottles should be lined up standing straight (fill in gaps with upside-down bottles). Cans are stacked on their sides.

Add water and ice. Pour in about an inch of water and then cover the beverages with ice.

Finish with salt. Top the ice with a thin layer of salt. This melts the ice, lowering the temperature of the water, creating an ice bath around 35 degrees Fahrenheit.



http://www.valetmag.com/living/food-drink/2010/summer-survival-skills-keep-drinks-cold-061110.php

 

[nymtber]

Skip the salt. Unless your drinking american swill beer, 35°F is far too cold.

I also disagree with bottles upside down, but I drink some beers (and homebrews) that are bottle conditioned, and the yeast should stay at the bottom!

Of course, if I am camping or what not, its cans or my plastic homebrew bottles.

Just my thoughts

 

[Samurai-5]

First I put all the beer in the fridge the night before, and 6-10 bottles of water in the freezer. On the day of the "Event" I lay the beer bottles on their side and stack them in the cooler (about 3/4 of the way up) then I take the frozen water and stack those on top, then top it all off with ice. Drink the beer then the water....if you want

Damn thing stays cold all day even in this 100+ degree Las Vegas temperatures.

 

[ChefJohnBoy-ardee]

I'm so glad some of my favorite beers come in cans. You can get so many more in a cooler.

 

[Mick]

Nice suggestions and ones I was not aware of. THANKS!!!

 

[Prince]

Only problem with salt is, it melts the ice quicker. When I go camping, I'd rather have my ice last longer. But, for short-distance needs, I like the idea for keeping it colder with salt.

 

[Lexicon Devil]

What good beers come in cans? I walk right past the cans without even looking at them.