How to choose a cooler bag

Human health is affected by the quality of food consumed. At home, food is stored in the refrigerator, but what to do with food on the road, on a picnic or on a hike? A useful invention will help with this - an insulated bag, which consumers are accustomed to calling a “cooler bag.”

Where are cooler bags used?

Moving and temporarily storing food is the main function of a cooler bag. For example, while relaxing in nature, traveling for many hours or while traveling.

Also, a useful invention is used to move frozen products from the store to home in order to avoid defrosting and loss of taste.

How to choose the right cooler bag for a train according to the criteria

In order for the product to perform its functions 100% and last for 5–7 years, you need to carefully inspect it at the time of purchase. It is important to take into account the dimensions and weight of the product, the material of the inner and outer layers and the presence of additional parts.

Dimensions and weight of the product

When choosing a cooler bag, you need to calculate in advance how it will be delivered to your vacation spot. If by hand, it is better to select a small size (15*15*15), and if by personal transport, then you can buy a product with dimensions of 55*50*65. Size does not affect its own weight; often the weight of an empty container is 400–600 grams.

Material from which the bag is made and wall thickness

All cooler bags consist of two layers - outer and inner. For the external design of products, manufacturers use synthetic fabrics - nylon, polyester and PVC (polyvinyl chloride). They have high strength, durability, and ease of maintenance.

The internal lining in high-quality products is represented by a layer of polyvinyl chloride with a foil surface. Low-quality copies are covered inside with ordinary plastic film or paper. The wall thickness of the product must be at least 0.8 cm to maintain a low temperature for a long time.

Availability of additional parts

Additional details in the form of straps and rollers on the bottom are needed to facilitate transportation of a cooler bag filled with food. A lock may be required if the bag is transported in the luggage compartment of public transport and there is a possibility of food theft. The lock can also protect against sudden opening of the product and leakage of coolness.

What is the difference between a cooler bag and a thermal bag?

A cooler bag and a thermal bag are the same items used to cool food away from home.

Official terminology refers to such products as “isothermal containers.” Manufacturers themselves, as well as consumers, are accustomed to calling these containers cooler bags.

Classification of cooler bags and thermal bags

Isothermal bags (portable refrigerators) come in the following types:

• thermal bags;
• thermal containers;
• car refrigerators.

Thermal bags are similar in appearance to regular travel bags and have a soft shape. Not suitable for transporting food on public transport, as well as dishes that easily change their shape (for example, desserts).

Thermal containers are made of rigid materials - thick fabric on a metal or plastic frame, plastic, they ideally retain the shape of the contents. Car refrigerators also have a rigid structure, spacious volume (larger than a thermal bag or thermal container) and do not require a cold accumulator. The car refrigerator receives additional cooling from the vehicle's power system.

The battery serves as an additional source of cold in a cooler bag. Selection rules

The cold accumulator in the cooler bag extends the cooling time. The device consists of briquette boxes or plastic bags with a safe, heat-intensive saline solution.

Before traveling or going to the store, the battery must be placed in the freezer for 6–7 hours. Some manufacturers complete cooler bags with cold accumulators during production. If the specimen is not equipped with an additional source of coolness, then you can do it yourself.

When choosing a cold storage battery, you need to pay attention to the following characteristics:

1. type of device;
2. form;
3. size.

Today, salt, gel and silicone types of batteries are available to consumers. A salt device is a plastic container filled with a water-salt solution.It maintains temperature for up to 24 hours, but has a wide temperature range - from -19 to +7 degrees.

Gel cold accumulators are most popular among buyers due to their long-term cool retention - up to 5-6 days. They are a bag made of durable film, filled inside with a gel that is safe for health.

Silicone ones look similar to gel ones, but inside they are filled with silicone filler. This is the most reliable type, capable of maintaining temperature for up to 7 days, but at the same time it has a small temperature range - from 0 to +2 degrees.

How to extend the cooling time

Even if a cooler bag is needed for several hours, it is better to play it safe and keep it cool longer than that. To do this, you need to open it only when necessary, and not overload it with content. The best option is to add a cold accumulator to your bag.

Tips for choosing a quality cooler bag

Before you go looking for a cooler bag, you need to decide on the size of the device. The volume of a cool bag affects how much food and drink you can take with you, as well as how quickly the temperature inside changes (the larger the volume, the longer it stays cool). At the point of sale you need to pay attention to the following features:

1. outer layer material – it is better to choose a water-repellent one, it is easier to clean;
2. inner layer – it must be foil-lined;
3. presence of handles for comfortable wearing of the product.

Important! When purchasing, you need to take into account the availability of mounts for the cold accumulator. It is better to buy a product that has been prepared in advance for the installation of an additional cold source.

Conclusion

To protect yourself and your loved ones from stale food on a picnic, during a trip, or to keep food frozen on the way home from the store, you should use cooler bags.

The size and type of item should be selected according to individual preferences or needs (for example, if the family is large, then the bag should accommodate a large number of products). You can extend the cool period in such a bag using a cold accumulator.