Styrofoam Coolers

Styrofoam coolers are the old standby for many people when heading out for picnicking, tailgating, camping, or barbecuing in the backyard. These models are cheap light, hold cold air well, and surprisingly seal well, keeping hot air out of them. They can be used to hold already chilled items to help keep their temperature from rising or they can be filled with ice to make them into a makeshift fridge for several hours.

There are a lot of benefits to such a model. The price is perhaps the most obvious one. Ice chests, insulated fabrics, and especially thermoelectric models can be very expensive. They also require maintenance and they take up a lot of storage space, especially if you have more than one. The weight is the next best benefit. With their simple design these models are easy to carry and hardly weigh thing on their own. This means you don't have to lug extra weight just to keep your food tasting fresh.

There are, of course, a few drawbacks. One of the primary ones being that these models are not tough or sturdy at all; if someone were to sit down on one of these units or accidentally bump into it, it is most likely going to crack, eliminating every benefit listed above. The second drawback is less obvious. Since they don't last very long these items are often thrown away after use. This is very wasteful and Styrofoam does not biodegrade quickly. If you're looking to reduce your impact on the environment, you should steer away from these despite their positives.

Related Information

Thermoelectric
You can use thermoelectric coolers anywhere.

Wheeled
Wheeled coolers save you from straining by providing easy leverage.