DIY upgrade for cheap cooler. IT WORKED!

Insulate your cooler lid for under $8, most coolers do not have the lids insulated. Therefore ice does not last as long. I drilled out four holes in the top, and used insulating expandable foam - injected inside. Great way to make the ice last longer and to keep your items cold! After testing, it held up! Ice lasted twice as long. Worth doing for sure.
I had wanted to try this after @SteveWallis did his cooler challenge (so long ago!) / @campingwithsteve

[@daviddarlingauthor]

FYI - did the official testing a few weeks ago. Blazing hot 29 Celcius for a few days, and the cooler still had ice in it on day 3. Well worth it.

[@robinstewart6510]

Okay, pardon me for not taking your word on it, but, before I foolishly destroy my cooler, can you show some proof (before & after tests) that it actually works? I've seen videos with far different outcomes than you claim - little to no difference, some coolers not working as well afterwards.

[@daviddarlingauthor]

@@robinstewart6510 As to the actual percentage of insulation vs. Increased ice time I can't say. However, the answers yes. More insulation instead of an air gap, will make your ice last longer. Is it worth it? For myself, yes. Still use and love that cooler.

[@mastvification]

Interesting idea, however , as someone who works with foam on a daily basis, I would add that you NEVER attempt to clean it up while it is still wet. That creates a smudged sticky mess. Allow it to cure and it will scrape off clean with no effort.

[@jimrollins5069]

Dave, If you lay down painters tape or duct tape BEFORE drilling, it makes clean up a LOT easier especially if there is a lot of oozing after expansion. Great idea, good video. Good day.

[@daviddarlingauthor]

I would totally believe this! Used a flat razor and cleaned up forever. Lol. Good tip.

[@bradfarrahgerwing154]

Vaseline even easier

[@derikalawrence8010]

I've heard to use cooking spray

[@markjenkins1217]

I appreciate the information on content . Much thanks.

[@natbrun]

Great idea, it worked nicely!

[@markraciborski4289]

What Yeti uses is open foam vs the close foam used in cheaper coolers. Open foam has bigger air pockets. I'm not willing to do this, I would want to see a controlled test on the original vs modified before going drilling. I have added a gasket, stuck on, around a cooler's lid. There seems to be a great deal of cooling lost there as the fit doesn't seem ideal. I wonder why manufacturers don't foam lids? Weight? Air is a decent insulation. Someone sitting on it would crush the foam? Just being cheap?

[@daviddarlingauthor]

for sure I would not be doing this on an expensive cooler. I got that one for less than $10 and figured it was worth the experiment.

[@tommycoates2981]

If the hollow area is under a vaccum, or should be. Then heat transfer is thermobreaked.

[@adamlong54]

I'd say use radiant barrier as well then you know it's gonna keep it subzero cold .

[@grilledchickenwrap]

I have some fire block foam the orange stuff , can I use that ? Or it’s best to use insulation foam?

[@daviddarlingauthor]

Fire bock has more flame retardant than R value for insulating.

[@Magesandrogue]

Is the Coleman bottom insulated? Cheers

[@daviddarlingauthor]

Yes. Bottoms and sides were insulated, the lids were not.

[@JVBL1]

@@daviddarlingauthor I just got the same cooler and was thinking on insulating the sides too since they sound empty/ hallow.

[@daviddarlingauthor]

@@JVBL1 Mine are insulated, but if your walls and lid are not, at that point I would think of just upgrading the cooler.

[@mikedraughn1369]

Clean up with WD 40.

[@Raj-fe9uv]

Will 2 holes be enough on both sides

[@daviddarlingauthor]

Fill 2 and leave another for an air outflow.

[@owenfezatte1608]

Saw ur comment on jakes vid and thought it was funny, lol

[@daviddarlingauthor]

LOL awesome. Thanks buddy!

[@owenfezatte1608]

Yeah

[@lingeriedeparis7274]

Personally, Id just get a block of styrofoam and glue to to the inside of the cover .

[@Bushcraftpl-et9hy]

I have done that to a cooler It did not work as the foam did not set inside the closed compartment, it looked good on the outside once taking the access of the inside was NOT expanding it just went flat. Tried it with 2 different foams non worked :(

[@daviddarlingauthor]

Sorry to hear about that. As far as I could tell, the foam I used expanded and I noticed greater ice retention.

[@fluffy_frog21]

Mine didn't work either. Three lids later and it all shrunk to nothing.

[@westbellfort6200]

Which type of foam did you guys used??? I live in texas and in the summer it gets pretty hot and the ice in my cooler doesnt even last a day so im going to be trying this "hack" so i just want to know what foam not to use.

[@daviddarlingauthor]

It was an expanding insulating foam, for doors and windows. So it wouldn't shrink. $12 can I believe. Sorry, I don't recall the brand.

[@fluffy_frog21]

@@westbellfort6200 I used Great Stuff gaps and cracks up to 1 inch. I dont think the canned foam will work. I believe it needs contact with air to stay expanded. If you do find one that works, let us know!

[@natbrun]

Hi David

[@dodoboodrough6044]

Don't wipe it while it' still wet, wait till it dries. Also spray PAM on the inside of the lid so the foam doesn't stick to the lid, and don't get that shit on your hands, wear plastic gloves/Latex, etc etc etc.

[@daviddarlingauthor]

For sure. For the most part it was an experiment on a free cooler. It did work and it was worth it! If I were to do it again, I would follow your advice.

[@dodoboodrough6044]

@@daviddarlingauthor I just bought a 55quart LIFETIME, and now I want to buy a cheaper cooler to convert. I've dome two conversions before with a couple of really cheapo coolers, they were alright, but not that great. Now I've seen enough conversions on line that I know exactly what to do. I've also done the dry ice bit, but the shits too expensive and it doesn't last long. Now I freeze water bottles, and I just saw this great way to make super cold containers using PVC pipe, sealed caps on both ends, then you fill the insides with water and salt, not all the way full, leave an inch space inside. They last better then ice, and you don't have all the water residue. I also freeze flat plastic containers. I never use crushed ice if I can avoid it, it melts too fast. Block ice is better. HAPPY CAMPING Dave. I'm getting my stuff out of my storage shed, getting my Coleman stoves ready, I have eight...too many but what the heck. My Coleman two and one mantle lanterns, etc etc etc. I live in California and Sequoia National Park/Kings Canyon is only a few hours from where I live. I love it there!!