If you are planning to buy a patio cooler, you must know the features of the cooler before you make the purchase. This will help you to buy the right cooler according to your needs.
Here we will discuss some important features that every patio cooler should have.
You can use these features as a guide while buying a patio cooler for your home or office use.
In this article, we will discuss the following features of a patio cooler:
1. Ice or Electric Cooling and Storage
The most common method used to keep beverages cold is ice. These coolers are designed to store your drinks and food in an insulated cooler while the remainder of the cooler is filled with ice. The insulation keeps the cold in, while the ice melts and creates a pool of water at the bottom.
Cooler manufacturers will tell you how many cans their cooler can hold. However, this number only applies if you fill it with nothing but cans (which can be a waste of space). If you fill it with cans and bottles as well as some food, you will have fewer cans that actually fit in the cooler than what they advertise. Also keep in mind that packing your cooler with just enough items will give you more space for ice, which helps keep everything colder longer.
2. Drink Storage
Bottle Openers – Most people don’t think about a bottle opener when it comes to patio coolers. However, having one attached to your cooler can be quite convenient (especially when you’re out at the beach, park or picnic area). Be sure to check with your local municipality laws as some areas don’t allow glass bottles. You also don’t want to break your teeth on some old rusty opener either!
Canned Drink Dispenser – A can dispenser, which stores cans in an upright position, is also a convenient storage compartment to have attached to your cooler. It will keep drinks cool and easily accessible without having to dig through ice or trays. Plus you won’t risk spilling open cans of soda all over the ground.
3. Drain Plug
Drain plugs prevent the water inside your cooler from freezing in cold weather. Without liquid, the ice will freeze and expand then crack the plastic insulation layer. Drain plugs also make it easier to clean your cooler as you don’t have to wait for everything inside to melt before doing so. Some drain plugs are small, which makes draining your cooler very easy.
Drain plugs will also prevent your cans from freezing around the top. This is a common problem that many people face when purchasing a cooler with no drain plug. Some drain plugs are designed to store tools and other items on the outside of your cooler.
4. Wheels
Having wheels on your patio cooler can go a long way in terms of transporting your beverage storage needs. Many models have wheels attached to their base, which makes moving it much easier during warmer weather months when it’s difficult to lift and carry it. Sometimes, you will even find them attached to the handles making moving the cooler while holding drinks very easy and convenient.
5. Durability
It’s important to consider the durability of your cooler. Typical coolers are made from plastic and if they fall on a hard surface, there is a chance that it will crack or break. The next thing you know, you’re replacing your patio cooler! Durability is very important when choosing a patio cooler as you want to make sure that it can withstand everyday abuse that comes with life in today’s busy world.
6. Weight Capacity
Some coolers are capable of holding more weight than others. This is an important factor to consider if you plan on loading up your cooler with ice and other heavy items for an extended period of time. It also makes a difference if you are using your cooler on wheels, which can be difficult to move around. It’s recommended that you choose a cooler with a higher weight capacity so it can handle all of your beverage storage needs.
7. Lid Opening Mechanism
The more convenient patio coolers have lids that do not require you to open them from the bottom and then again from top to get the lid off of the cooler. This is a very time consuming process and is more work than it should be! Convenient patio coolers have a lid opening mechanism at the front of the cooler that allows you to open the lid with just one quick movement.
8. Looks
People will judge you by appearance and some choose to go with a cool looking patio cooler that they can show off. They will want to be seen with a quality cooler that will last them years of enjoyment while they are out enjoying the great outdoors. It is important to consider how your patio cooler looks as it is the first thing people notice when viewing your outdoor furniture! A quality cooler will help you gain the respect of others while you are out enjoying an evening at home or in the great outdoors!
9. Insulation
Another important factor to consider when purchasing a patio cooler is insulating properties. This can include insulation found inside of the cooler itself and around its lid. Insulation will help keep your cooler from heating up too much in the summer time and cooling down too quickly in the winter seasons. It’s also important to note that the cooler is large enough for you to fit a larger amount of ice inside of it.
Using an insulated patio cooler will prevent your drinks from freezing or becoming diluted during the warmer months of the year. If you’re going on a relaxing picnic with friends and family, you don’t want to plan cool drinks because they have melted all over their coolers. Don’t risk ruining your entire group by having a bad cooler on hand!
Conclusion
Overall, there are many factors that go into deciding on what is best for you. The key to doing this is by determining what works best for your situation. You will want to consider the above factors and decide which ones best suit your particular needs. Then you can compare different patio coolers and choose the model that will work best for you!