Ice chest/cooler

[ddnww]

I know there has been a few threads on the subject. I have no experience with the quality ice chests. I am looking to buy a couple of them. I want to know what your experience and advice with them are. I looked at some the other day at sportsmans, between the 4 brands they had I was most impressed with the kysek.

But lets hear what everyone has to say between, kysek, grizzly, pelican, yeti, canyon and any other you would advise.

prefer a lifetime warranty

 

[spencenasty]

I recently did a ton of research on the topic, I ended up going with a Pelican Elite 65Qt.

Yeti's number aren't truly a quart size, more like a model number.

Pelican stands by all of their products. Recently a Pelican Storm i2950 of mine had the wheels split while I was abusing it. I had let Pelican know, they sent out a whole new frame/wheel assembly and had it within a week.

I wanted something that could take abuse, made in USA, and had a great customer service/warranty, so I picked the ol' Pelican.

 

[00Sebby]

[MENTION=91713]ddnww[/MENTION], it's only an ice chest. They're all going to do the job. I've always used various Colemans. Until I bought a Yeti I never stood on one, worried about bears tearing it to shreds or using it for a tornado shelter, etc. The only reason I bought a Yeti is because I do like the brand (meaning I get a sticker) and I got a great deal. I wouldn't have paid full price and probably would've went with an RTIC or something.

If you see one that impresses you, buy it. If you don't like it, it's only an ice chest. Return it or sell it and move on.:thumb:

 

[ndcent]

A Coleman is a cooler not an ice chest.

 

[LR Max]

I'm running an Engel cooler. Got it cheap at an auction. Love it. Here in the south, a cooler with a bag of ice might last half a day. The Engel gives me a lot better use. My favorite is leaving stuff in there, in the back of the truck a few days after I get home, and everything inside is still cold and there is still ice.

A lot of times I'll freeze a few 1/2 gallon milk jugs. That is a nice way to have ice quickly. Also I'll pre-cool down the cooler the night before. That helps out a lot as well.

So far it seems like RTIC seems to be the leading brand these days. I'd look at their stuff. The Ozark stuff still hasn't been tested and the jury is still out on Quality Control. But in about 6 months, I think it'll be a serious contender. Especially if you only use it once a month of so.

 

[ddnww]

thanks guys, yeah I hear the yeti is most popular but I also hear some of the other brands are cheaper yet better. Also doesn't the yeti only have a 5 year warranty, where as some of the other brands have a lifetime warranty. Im planning on hopefully only making this purchase once for the next 20 years or so if that's not a ridiculous expectation. The canyon is made local here in AZ up in flagstaff I believe and I have heard great things about them and their price. I would like to get a 50 qt or litre for the quick camping trips, lake trips, bbq's etc, and about a 150 qt one for the extended camping , fishing, hunting trips. Plus I figure I can probably fit both my son and I's deer in the big cooler when we bag them and wont have to worry about the meat.

 

[Jernik]

Just a thought... if Canyon is made nearby see if they have an outlet store for the public. Igloo down here has one (although I've never been in, just see the signs). Might be some good deals.

In my wife's hometown the Key factory (jeans, jackets, etc) usually has a big sale right before Thanksgiving. Maybe Canyon does the same once in a while?

At the price they're asking for these things today, it's worth checking out.

 

[00Sebby]

A Coleman is a cooler not an ice chest.

What's the difference? I always looked at them as chests you put ice in and hopefully they stay cold for awhile. But I'm willing to learn and correct my misnomer.

FYI, my Colemans looked a lot like this. And the history has me a bit confused.

"The portable ice chest was invented by Richard C. Laramy of Joliet, Illinois. On February 24, 1951, Laramy filed an application with the United States Patent Office for a portable ice chest (Serial No. 212,573). The patent (#2,663,157) was issued December 22, 1953.

The Coleman Company popularized the cooler with its initial offering of a galvanized cooler in 1954. Three years later, Coleman developed a process to make a plastic liner for coolers and jugs."

 

[jstim]

[MENTION=91713]ddnww[/MENTION] personally I love my Yeti. I do get the 5 year warranty thing, but everyone who has one yeti, ends up with more than one because they are awesome. Plus I bought mine through REI so if I ever have any issues with it I will just take it up with them.

That all being said I have the 75, it's perfect for beer for bbq, or just to camp for the weekend. If it's scorching I just throw dry ice in with the regular just to make sure it all stays extra cold. I learned a lesson the hard way, dry ice freezes beers without breaking the bottles. I was just hoping for 33 degree beer. Ice lasts for days, especially on camping trips with lots of opening and closing. I won't buy a fridge for either one of my rigs because I have a yeti.

 

[cpark_12]

I did this research a little over a year ago and I decided on the Pelican. I got the 45qt model and it has been excellent for me. What sealed the deal for me were the latches and the handles. If I'm going on a longish trip, I'll pre cool it and it will seriously keep ice for 6 days without ever leaving the back of my truck. When we go the the river, I keep it strapped to the back deck of my boat and we use it as a jumping platform too.

 

[Chas of MRT]

Yeti is overpriced made in China stuff that is branded well. Its a decent product, but here are some less expensive, higher quality, American made coolers brands to check out.

Bison
ORCA
Pelican
Esky
Coleman
Grizzly

 

[johnnotestine]

I own a YETI and love it, but if I had to do it over I would buy an RTIC. I've compared it to the YETI and it seems to hold ice longer.

 

[NoLight]

What about the Cabela's ice chests? A lot cheaper and lifetime warranty. Dont own any of them but been looking...

 

[00Sebby]

Yeti is overpriced made in China stuff that is branded well. Its a decent product, but here are some less expensive, higher quality, American made coolers brands to check out.

Bison
ORCA
Pelican
Esky
Coleman
Grizzly

Not exactly China, but agree with you on pricing and competition.

"YETI® is still being manufactured in the Philippines. However, due to the high market demand for YETI® products, several USA rotomolders have now been partnered to manufacture YETI® products including: Plastics Professionals, Hedstrom Plastics, Centro Incorporated, Dutchland Plastics, and Solar Plastics. “We consider these molders to be among the best in the USA,” Roy said. In fact, we have some of the very best partners out there working right along side us to build the YETI® brand. He cited industry consultant Paul Nugent as being instrumental in helping the YETI® brand become what it is today."

 

[MedicBob]

Check out Ozark Trail at Walmart. In the camping section they have tumblers, 20 and 30 oz, can coozies, and coolers. Have a few of the tumblers and head to head against Yeti, they are the same. They also have insulated ice chests/coolers that reportedly work as well as Yeti.

Don't forget to look up RTIC in addition. Very well made and cheaper, but not cheap.

 

[nc-grayson]

I went with a pelican 35qt. I wanted the yeti for the space savings and the size, but I was willing to sacrifice size and bulkiness for something that was made in the USA. I love this cooler. Added a standard restaurant supply "6 pan" to it and it's great for dividing out food and stuffs. This cooler will be around for a long time.

 

[Swampmonger]

I have three Yetis. If my 45 or 65 were lost or stolen I'd give some thought as to whether or not it needed to be replaced. If my Roadie was lost or stolen, however, I'd have another one on order immediately. I love that freakin' thing.

 

[ddnww]

I think I'm leaning toward the RTIC 65 and a Canyon 125. I can get both of them for the price of one of most of the others 150qt. The canyon also comes with a great warranty and some say its better than the yeti. The RTIC has great reviews as well. But I would like to see them all in person again.

 

[quicksandTRDPRO]

Another vote for RTIC. I have the 45 in tan and love it! Only downside is it can take awhile to get it once you order.

 

[Brian3676]

I got a RTIC a few weeks ago. Great quality cooler. Yeti was cool a while ago, but now they have a lot of competition and are too over priced to compete.