Coleman Coolers Use and Cleaning Guide

* Based on internal testing in a controlled environment adhering to the outlined Use Guide below. User experience may vary.

Coleman Coolers Use and Cleaning Guide

To achieve five-day performance in your new Coleman® cooler you must use it properly. Use plenty of ice and pre-chill items before you put them in the cooler. The following guidelines will allow you to achieve extreme performance.

Coleman recommends using 0.75 lbs. of ice per rated quart of the cooler. This equates to an approximate 2:1 ratio of ice to contents.

HARD COOLER USAGE GUIDELINES

  • For best performance, always pre-chill food and drinks. 10 cans or 1 gallon (3.7L) of liquid will use approximately 2.5 lbs. (1.13kg) of ice just to cool from room temperature. So plan ahead and cool off everything before you head out. You can even pre-chill the cooler interior to provide maximum cold performance.
  • Keep cooler out of the sun. Ice lasts much longer when the cooler is in the shade. The exterior temperate will also be reduced when kept out of direct sun.
  • Put the ice in last. Cold air travels down, so if you want your beverage well chilled, load cans and bottles first, then cover with ice.
  • Close lid quickly after opening. Do not leave the lid open longer than necessary.
  • Protect perishable foods. Place perishable foods like meat and dairy products directly on ice. Sealed plastic containers will keep food dry.
  • Do not store cooler in hot location. When storing cooler, avoid hot places such as the garage or the trunk of a car. If this is unavoidable, bring the cooler inside at least 24 hours before use.
  • Don't drain cold water. Recently melted ice keeps food and drinks cold. Melted ice water preserves ice better than empty air space.
  • Choose cube or block ice. Use cube ice to quickly cool food and drink, block ice to keep it cold longer.
  • Use separate coolers. Use one for beverages you'll want frequently, another for the bulk of the food. The latter will keep ice longer because it will be open less frequently.
  • Use dry ice to keep food frozen. Place the dry ice on top of the food. Be sure that the dry ice is wrapped in heavy layers of newspaper. Do not let dry ice come in direct contact with the interior liner or your hands.

CLEANING YOUR COOLER

  • Clean the inside and outside. Clean the inside with a solution of mild soap and warm water, especially before first use. To remove tough stains, use baking soda and water to clean the inside.
  • Remove odors with a diluted solution of chlorine bleach and water. If odor persists, wipe the interior with a cloth saturated with vanilla extract, then leave the cloth in the cooler overnight.
  • Always air-dry the cooler with the lid open before storing. This reduces the risk of mold and mildew growth.