Strong tropical storms and hurricanes usually mean power outages along with mandatory wind and water damage. At such times, using thermally insulated coolers can make the difference between prolonged periods of misery and being able to weather the weather with reasonable amenities including cold beverages, edible perishable foods, and safe medical supplies that would otherwise go to waste through spoilage. The choice between quality coolers that can do the job well is between standard hard-shell varieties and coolers constructed of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam. Here are six reasons why the foam cooler cooler is a better option than the hard plastic or metal ones when the weather starts to turn bad.
They are much more affordable than hard case coolers
The brands of hard-shell coolers required to match the performance of a superior thick-walled foam cooler of comparable size and volume can be very expensive, putting a huge dent in your wallet and priced at such a price that many people who Adversely affected by storm season you can’t afford to have one that is reliable enough to keep everything cool for long periods of time. As a result, people in need end up with cheaper imitations that don’t work well, putting them at risk of premature meltdown, spoiled food, or even ruined medicine as they wait for help to arrive from outside storm-damaged regions.
A plastic or metal cooler that is comparable in size and volume to, say, an 85-quart foam cooler will cost anywhere from two hundred to over four hundred dollars, while the foam version can be had for around fifteen dollars extremely affordable. dollars or so That means that for the amount of money needed to buy the hard shell cooler, one can buy a whole stack of foam coolers.
From a community benefit point of view, this is much more practical, as a person can have a surplus on hand to store enough goods for days and still be able to help others in need who are not as well prepared or may be harmed. that puts them in bad shape.
They can keep ice cold for days instead of hours
Anyone who has lined up for hours in the summer sun after a major hurricane just to get a couple of bags of ice knows the importance of immediately placing it in an insulated container to prevent thawing. One of the drawbacks of hard shell coolers is that they have to be “pre-chilled” to prevent the ice from immediately starting to melt due to the heated interior surface temperature of the hard interior liner. In an emergency situation where ice is in very short supply, a person cannot afford to waste it trying to cool something that is supposed to keep the ice from melting.
Effective in preventing premature spoilage of food
Perishable foods will last much longer in quality, thick-walled foam coolers than cheap, thin-walled foam coolers, and just as or better than hard-shell coolers of comparable size and volume, especially when you weigh the difference in price between them. Foam (cooler thickness) shipping coolers are used by food carriers to ship perishable goods and temperature sensitive foods cross-country because they are proven and reliable.
Handy for storing medical supplies
Thick-walled foam coolers are tested and qualified for cross-country shipping of temperature-sensitive medical supplies in combination with suitable refrigerants, such as gel packs that can be pre-frozen and used to maintain the proper temperature range. In post-hurricane situations, when power is out, ice can be used with care if there are no gel packs or gel blocks or if there is no generator to run the freezers that can cool them. Check with the appropriate resources ahead of time to find out how long you can store specific types of medications and what configuration of coolers, gel packs, etc. must use to maximize efficient storage for days of vital medical supplies.
Reusable and Recyclable
The best quality thick walled foam coolers are designed to last and keep on hand for years, but if you decide to throw one away then you will benefit from its recyclability, whereas a broken hard shell cooler takes up just as much or more volume. space like a foam cooler but it is not recyclable. There are over 200 recycling resources for eps foam in the United States alone, allowing you to drop-off or mail-in service. If you prefer to keep it for years, simply store it in a shady spot protected from the elements and it’s ready to use the next time a tropical storm or hurricane hits.
Can serve as emergency flotation devices
As a last resort in what one hopes is a rare case, foam coolers can be used to save your life in the event you are caught in a deep water storm surge or flood. The expanded polystyrene content is highly buoyant, capable of helping prevent a person from drowning if it can be effectively supported. Of course, you don’t want the cooler to be full of food at that time because that would add a lot of extra weight. In any case, the point is that they float well and can be useful if the person is not wearing a life jacket.
Why They’re a Better Choice for Hurricane Preparedness
For the price of a single high-quality hard shell cooler, you can buy numerous thick-walled foam coolers that work just as well, last for years, and have advantages metal or hard plastic doesn’t. You’ll be able to stock more for emergencies because you’ll have more units on hand, as well as position yourself to help those who find themselves caught in a bind due to unforeseen circumstances. This is one of the rare moments in life when what seems like a bargain is actually a bargain that you can’t beat.