Roto Molded Coolers

[runamok151]

I've had Igloo and Coleman. Fishing/ boating models are considerably better. My 50 qt coleman extreme and 150 qt Igloo will both hold ice for 4+ summer days. The coleman lid has warped a little over the 10 years I've used it and doesn't seal as well as it used to.

I've seen the Grizzly coolers and would definitely look at them over Yeti.

Something to consider. All of these plastics get brittle and crack from sunlight. I'd build a little box around it if I was going to leave it on the deck. Not only would it dress it up, it would keep the sun off it, which would preserve the plastic and ice.

 

[scouthead]

Coho or cojo - the 55 quart ones that Costco sells- go on sale for about 100 bucks a couple times a year.
They pop up on Craigslist and OfferUp 60-70 bucks lightly used. I picked up a 55qt for 60 bucks. put it in the back of the truck and filled full of ice on Thursday evening- shoveled out ice and filled with drinks Friday. left in direct sunlight at the beach all day Saturday. Lid opened and closed frequently. Added lots of warm drinks along the way. Went back in the truck. Sunday I drained most of the water out- still half full of drinks and ice.

I left The cooler in the back of the truck – weather was 85 to 90° outside for the next few days.... still had ice on wed... weather cooled off a bit, but still warmer in the back of the truck. No covered parking -sun all week. Mostly water but still had ice Thursday after a week. No more ice on Friday After 8 days, but drinks were still cold.

 

[bigjbear]

I looked at those at Costco. A little less expensive, but made in China.

 

[fourwheelerjeff]

did you ever get one? @bigjbear

 

[bigjbear]

did you ever get one? @bigjbear

Apparently I’m a dumbass. I was going to buy the Kenai but my wife surprised me with the Grizzly. For Christmas. Last year.
But that means I’ve got a good update/review. Obviously went with a light color because of the sun. Was worried it would end up looking nasty, but so far the top still looks good. It sat on the back deck most of last summer. Easily keeps ice frozen, and drinks are cold all weekend. Even for a party where it was constantly opened and closed.
Kept it in my trunk for a weekend during a destination wedding as a place to hide the good beer. That was a good test since the car was sitting in the sun. Worked great. It’s a little big for road trips with the family, but it does get the job done if you have room. Id say it’s perfect for car camping. It has a divider slot and a ridge for a basket/tray at the top. That makes organization a breeze when camping.

I also used it to transport a low country boil and it keep that hot. It cleaned up nicely with no lingering smell.
It’s nice enough looking that my wife doesn’t complain about it being in the kitchen when it’s not being used, and when it is being used in the house it doesn’t leak/sweat on the floor. That is a huge improvement.

Now the bad. It is heavy for its size (I knew it would be, that is a characteristic of these coolers). I like the rubber latches, but people have a tendency to not relatch them since it takes a tiny bit of effort. Size vs weight could make it a bit inconvenient on a small boat.

Overall, I like it. Would definitely buy it again.

 

[scouthead]

I lent my recently acquired used Cojo to my uncle and family... they drove down the hill and couldn't get the lid to open... eventually figured out they could unscrew the drain to equalize the pressure. I guess that means the gasket is in fairly good condition!

 

[Wes Harden]

Just re reading yor review of your newish Grizzly cooler @bigjbear, what size is it ? I am looking at the pic, and assuming 12" floor tile, it doesn't look that large.

 

[bigjbear]

Yes, 12” tile in that location. It’s a 40 l/qt.

 

[eodcoduto]

We have had a Grizzly for about 6 years now and zero complaints. American made, cheaper than a Yeti by 1/3rd and it will hold ice for 3 days in Alabama heat. One of the rubber latches broke 2 weeks ago but since it has 3 I’m not fixing it. I would buy another but will never need to.

 

[Mdjunior]

I can only compare yeti and Rtic. I have a soft side of both. Performance the same the Rtic’s seams are glued. When it gets hot they come unglued. Got the Yeti hard cooler. It keeps ice for 6days with 1-2 openings a day. Between the two, my Yetis are better made. The yeti cup I have can be put in the dishwasher, not the Rtic.

 

[bigjbear]

I can only compare yeti and Rtic. I have a soft side of both. Performance the same the Rtic’s seams are glued. When it gets hot they come unglued. Got the Yeti hard cooler. It keeps ice for 6days with 1-2 openings a day. Between the two, my Yetis are better made. The yeti cup I have can be put in the dishwasher, not the Rtic.

Yeti mugs are some of the best for sure. As far as keeping drinks hot/cold the old Stanley vacuum sealed thermos is best, but for just a couple cups of coffee I reach for a Yeti.

As far as the cooler- 100% happy with the Grizzly. Many multi day road trips, time on the deck, etc. About the only thing I don’t use it for is going to the beach. Like all coolers of this type it is heavy, and I have no need to drag it through the sand. I have considered buying a cart for it, but I don’t normally spend enough time at the beach to need much more than a 6-pack and a couple of waters. We had guests last summer and I almost bought this cart, but just used two soft sided coolers instead.

I’ve used them before & the big sand tires make pulling it reasonably easy.



Don’t bother with this style, even lightly loaded it drags more than rolls.

 

[Haydenk]

Not trying to start a bash Yeti thread. Thinking about buying one to sit on the back deck. Right now I’m using a metal sided Colman for the purpose and it kind of sucks- gets hot to the touch, ice won’t make it through the weekend, and it needs a new latch. Had a plastic Igloo before that and it was fine until it wasn’t. Seemed like everything broke on it at once (which is kind of a good thing). I’d like to move that Coleman to party only duty and pick up something else for daily use.
Requirements: Needs to live outside, look kind of nice on the deck (no camo or big graphics), ~50 liters, hold ice for at least 4 days in 90* temps, prefer Made in the USA, and under $300. I thought about some of those “cooler on a cart” things that Home Depot sells, but they look worse than what I have now as far as functionality. I’d rather have a better cooler and just put on my little metal outdoor rolling table.

So what do you like? Yeti is the big name, and looks like it has a $100+ premium. RTIC is made in China. That gets rid of the two obvious choices. Looked at Orca, Cabelas, Kong, Pelican, Bison, Kenai, and Grizzly.
Really liked the Kong for features and the Kenai for price.

So, what have you got? Like it? Hate it? Some cool brand I’m missing or some reason not to buy one I’ve listed? I’m all ears

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Edit to add: this will also go on fishing and car camping trips.

Based on your requirements, I’d say Kong and Kenai are both great options. Kong’s features are definitely appealing, especially for outdoor use and trips, but Kenai’s price point is hard to ignore, especially if it meets your needs for durability and ice retention.

 

[longbedder]

Engel FTW on a five-year-old thread.

Boomshakalaka.