How does a cooler bag work?

Cooler bag - a popular companion for active and energetic people. A trip to the forest, fishing or to the countryside is not complete without a feast or a simple snack. How to preserve food during a long trip, especially in hot weather? Experienced travelers know that a cooler bag, also called an isothermal bag or a thermal bag, will help.

Let's figure out how it works, how it works and how reliable it is.

How does a cooler bag work?

The main task of a cooler bag is to maintain the temperature of food for as long as possible. It is most often used to keep food cool during hot weather, but it can also successfully keep cooked food hot. Therefore, it would be more accurate to compare it with a thermos.

Device

Manufacturers managed to maintain the original temperature of products by using special materials for the inner container:

• nylon — for the walls and lid of the container;
• polyethylene foam or polyurethane foam - for thermal pads.

These materials have thermal insulating properties and protect the contents of the container from cooling or heating, maintaining the existing temperature.

The design of the container is also aimed at fulfilling the main task. It has double walls, the space between them is filled with a special thermal pad.

The inside of the food storage container is usually lined with a special artificial fabric that is easy to clean. And the external design of the bag is made of dense fabrics (for example, nylon, polyester, etc.).

Important! Thermal bags made on the outside of a waterproof material that also has reflective properties are considered to be of higher quality.

Advantages and disadvantages

Thermal bags have been tested for reliability by many buyers who objectively note the advantages and disadvantages of special bags.

pros

• The materials used in the manufacture of bags allow thermal bags from different manufacturers to maintain temperature from 7 to 12 hours.
• Additional cooling elements can be used to extend the shelf life of products.
• Many types of cooler bags are convenient due to their compactness. When not filled with food, they can be folded up so they don't take up much space.

Minuses

• The need to pre-cool or freeze products before placing them in a thermal bag.
• Relatively short temperature retention period.
• Small volume of containers for certain types of bags.

Cooling elements

You can extend the ability to maintain the temperature of food in a cooler bag using special cooling elements. These are special plastic blocks that are usually filled with dry ice.

To make this block of dry ice useful, it is used only after first freezing it. When using a thermal bag, dry ice gradually thaws and at the same time absorbs the heat of the food.This way it prevents the air inside the container from heating up, and the food remains cool for a long time.

When using such cold accumulators, you can almost double the storage time in a cooler bag.

The benefits of foil for a thermal bag

The use of materials containing foil increases the quality characteristics of the thermal bag. The reflectivity of foil is used in special foil materials. If the inner surface of the food container is made of such material, this increases the thermal insulation properties of the thermal bag. Therefore, manufacturers who care about the quality of their products necessarily use foil-based materials.

Important! Wrap all foods individually in foil before loading. This will keep them chilled much longer.

How to use a cooler bag

The cooler bag will retain its useful qualities and will last for a long time with the right treatment and careful care. The basic rules of care and use are simple.

Storage and care

• Do not overload the thermal bag. To avoid damaging the fasteners, load it strictly in accordance with the intended volume.
• Clean the bag after each use. For this, use a damp cloth or cotton cloth soaked in soapy water. When using a soap solution, be sure to wipe additionally with a cloth soaked in clean water.
• If the instructions for a specific model do not prohibit washing, and simple cleaning did not lead to the desired result, you can wash the bag. It's better to do it manually. Washing in a washing machine is only permissible on a delicate cycle.
• Allow the bag to dry naturally.

How to extend cold storage

The following loading rules help keep the cooler bag cool:

• Place only pre-frozen food in the thermal bag.
• Try to fill the bag container completely without leaving any empty space. The available free space in the absence of food can be filled simply with a bottle of water.
• Do not leave the bag open for long periods of time. The more often you open the cooler bag, the more warm air will enter the inner container, and the cold storage time will be reduced.
• Distribute the cooling elements evenly inside the bag.

Important! Try to place cold accumulators not only along the walls of the bag. It is more expedient to transfer products inside the container with them.

Cooling elements

Cold accumulators must be frozen before use in the same way as food. They are placed in the freezer in advance so that they remain there for at least 12 hours; if possible, the freezing time is increased.

Use at least 4–5 medium-sized batteries; a smaller number will not allow you to keep the air cooled evenly. By increasing the number of cooling elements by a few, you will make your cooler bag more efficient.

When you finish using the bag, do not leave the cooling element inside. You need to take it out, rinse it with cold water, wipe it dry and put it back in the freezer. Batteries can be stored there for a long time until next use.

Tips and tricks for use

Here are some tips for using a cooler bag.These tips will help you store food safely and securely during long trips.

• If you don’t have special cooling elements on hand, you can make them yourself. All you need to do is fill small plastic bottles (0.5 or 1 liter) with a very saturated salt solution and then freeze them. Homemade cooling elements are not inferior in properties to purchased ones.
• If possible, try to keep the bag in a cool place: an air-conditioned car interior, a hole in the ground in a shady place. This will extend the coldness inside the bag.

Manufacturers have tried to make the cooler bag useful and convenient. Now you know how a thermal bag works, how to use it correctly, and you will be able to use its qualities for a long time.