Cooler bag

A cooler bag is an essential item in the spring-summer season for those who like to get out into the countryside. On a hike, on the beach, on a picnic, this useful invention will keep the food fresh and tasty and the drinks cool.

The name of portable refrigerators, firmly fixed to thermobags, is, strictly speaking, not entirely correct. Cooler bags imply the existence of a cooling system, therefore it is fair to refer to them only automotive cooling devices that operate on battery power, and call all other camping accessories for fresh food safety isothermal containers or thermal containers.

Isothermal tanks operate on the principle of maintaining low temperature at the same level for a long time. This ability is provided by the special design of the bag and additional cooling elements. At its core, it looks like a thermos flask: thick walls of reflective material, between which is a layer of thermally insulating foam and space for cold batteries.

The food placed inside is protected from the influence of the environment by a layer of material that does not conduct heat well, so the low temperature remains for a long time. In a thermobag it is also possible to move hot products.

All thermobags are divided into:

• isothermal (tissue);
• thermal containers (from hard plastic);
• car refrigerators.

On long trips, the temperature inside the car, even if the air conditioner is working, does not at all help to keep the picnic products in the form in which they were taken out of the refrigerator. The heated boot space is also not suitable for the safe transportation of provisions, so a car refrigerator is the best solution.

The device is powered by a car cigarette lighter. Turns on and off by pressing the button, the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment is regulated by a toggle switch.

There are three types of car refrigerators:

Most of them, since these are the most compact, lightweight and low-cost devices. The principle of operation is based on the so-called "Peltier effect": current flows through the metal plates, during which one of them heats up, and the second is cooled. That is, the cold enters, and the heat is discharged out. When the current direction changes, the process will be reversed and the refrigeration equipment will begin to work as a heated container.

Electrical heat capacity has a drawback - the dependence of the temperature inside on the ambient temperature. The device is capable of supporting a difference of no more than 30 degrees. That is, if plus 30 on the street, the temperature in the container will be at least 0.

A miniature portable version of a household refrigerator that uses refrigerant. Environmental conditions have no effect on the operation of the device, so it will be effective even in the conditions of the Black Sea resort. Compression refrigeration units are capable of not only cooling, but also freezing products, while they are quite economical.

The disadvantages include the large size and high cost of devices.

According to the principle of operation, they are similar to thermoelectric models, but the electric network from the cigarette lighter and liquefied gas can be a source of energy. Able to maintain a difference of 30 degrees with the temperature outside the refrigerator compartment, quickly adapt to changes in ambient temperature.

Isothermal tanks and thermal containers that do not have the capabilities of a refrigerator, but only maintain the desired temperature can also be of different types.

A must-have for students, office workers, summer residents, fishermen and travelers. Food containers come in compact sizes (sandwiches, lunch boxes, thermal containers for one serving), medium and large (bags, backpacks).

In a small volume, they are able to keep a snack fresh during the day, therefore they are convenient to use for those who take food with them to work, study, or take a bike ride. In a large format, cooler bags will ensure the safety of a full meal for the whole family, who went out on a picnic or the beach. They will also come to the rescue on a long car trip or travel to the sea by train.

You can transport in bags for food any provisions that can be held in the refrigerator for several hours, whether it be sandwiches, cottage cheese, yoghurts or grandmother okroshka on kefir. Most thermobags due to the fact that in their design they are similar to a thermos, it is able to keep products not only chilled, but also hot.

This is a convenient option for walking in the winter park, going to the rink, fishing and other activities in the cold season. Hot sandwiches or pies will remain so for several hours, while the owner skates, plays snowballs or sits with a fishing rod over a hole in the ice.

There are many vital moments when you need to take extra liquid on a trip, whether it be drinking water, juice, dairy or alcoholic products. For this purpose, there are cooler bags in a special format with compartments repeating the shape of a standard bottle up to 15 centimeters in diameter.

Typically, these bags have 6 compartments, 3 on each side and handles for easy transportation.

An insulated bag for baby food, small in size, shaped like a tube or rectangular, slows down the cooling of food.

Most often, in such bags one or more compartments for storing baby food for several servings. A bag can keep temperature stable for up to 3 hours. Then the temperature will start to fall or rise, depending on whether the products are hot or cold inside. The rate of loss depends on environmental conditions.

No mother will forget to take a first-aid kit with medicines for all occasions. A cooler bag for medicines is the only sure way to transport medicines that require special storage conditions. Of course, it is not necessary if you take only aspirin and patch with you, but most other products are afraid of light, direct sunlight and high temperatures.

These include: all types of eye drops, some ear drops, suppositories, ointments, vaccines, medicines with bifidocultures and interferon, insulin, antiseptics and other drugs, instructions for which are attributed to store them in a cool, dry place.

The optimum temperature for storage is from 2 to 5 degrees above 0. Additional protection against condensation will provide individual cellophane packaging.

Medical containers come in capacities from 2 to 50 liters. They differ not only in weight, size and usable volume, but also in operational abilities. So, bags up to 6 liters are able to withstand cold for up to 12 hours, medium-sized ones - up to 18, large-sized ones - up to 20.

For transportation over long distances up to 3 days, professional medical equipment is used.

It differs from a travel food bag in that, in addition to a thermal compartment for storing food, it has a complete set of dishes for a group of 4-6 people. The dishes are not disposable, made of high-quality plastic, which does not absorb odors, does not fade, and is perfectly washed both in the dishwasher and in the traditional way.

The thermal bag on wheels is arranged on the same principle as a travel suitcase. It is convenient during long walks, because it does not need to be dragged, and even a child can roll behind it.

An empty cooler bag is even easier to transport than a wheeled one. Any model larger than a sandwich maker and lunch box is folded into a fairly small rectangle that will take up very little space in a hiking backpack or car trunk.

A cooler bag with columns or thermal bars is designed for those who like cold drinks and hot summer hits. Fans of outdoor recreation and true music lovers will appreciate the convenient combination of the functions of this item, because with its small dimensions it effectively solves the problem of perishable products and provides picnic participants not only with soft drinks, but also in an excellent mood.

The presence of a slot for a flash card and built-in radio allows you to choose any repertoire to the taste of vacationers.

For ease of use, a shoulder strap and fastenings to the handlebars of the bike are provided. The necessary little things can additionally be placed in mesh pockets on the sides of the product.

Small containers are designed to store food for one person. Their average weight - 400-500 grams, is enough for a school breakfast or a working snack. It is most convenient to store sandwiches or sandwiches, fruits, casseroles, pancakes, small cans of drinks in lunch boxes.

Medium bags are designed for 10-15 kg. They can be in the form of a backpack, which is placed behind the shoulders, bags on the shoulder or arm. After transportation, they fold comfortably into a small envelope.

Large bags and containers are designed for volumes up to 35-120 liters, depending on the size, car refrigerators - up to 220. As a rule, these are wheeled models. They can also be folded after use, if it is not plastic containers.

The outer layer of the refrigerator bag is made of very dense, durable and elastic materials that are easy to clean and repel water: nylon, polyester, bologna and polyvinyl chloride fabrics. Inside the product must be sheathed with reflective PVC film or foil. Between these two layers there is a foam frame, and thermal insulation is provided by a polyethylene or polyurethane foam layer, and in some models - a special gel.

Gel thermobags are a patented technology, the essence of which is that a substance is kept in the walls of the product that keeps it low for a long time and is able to cool room temperature products placed inside.

Before use, such a bag must be placed in the refrigerator for 12-14 hours.

Gel bags must not be washed or dried in a dryer. Hygienic care for them is carried out manually, with a sponge and soap solution.

Thermal containers are arranged on the same principle as isothermal, but the walls are made not of fabric, but of dense polymers. Plastic walls provide additional protection for products, since they do not deform and conduct heat worse.

Cold batteries are plastic containers filled with refrigerant in the form of a solution or gel. When freezing, this substance absorbs cold and cools to minus temperature, holding the cold for a long time. For every 3-5 liters of bag useful volume, a battery weighing at least 200 grams is required.

The portable cooler bag can be any color you prefer. Manufacturers try to produce products of less easily soiled colors, which at the same time reflect, and do not absorb, the sun's rays. Red, blue, gray, orange patterns are common. Options in bicolor from various color combinations are possible. Bags for baby food are distinguished by a particularly bright spectrum and additional decorations in the form of animals, flowers, cartoon characters, patterns.

The principle of operation of the product is simple and intuitive from its design. Each of the layers is made of materials that are able to absorb and retain cold, practically do not conduct heat. It is important to take into account that the duration of keeping the food fresh and cold depends not only on the materials and batteries that should be in the freezer for about 10 hours, but also on the temperature of the products themselves. They should also be pre-held in the refrigerator, like a bag.

It is also worth taking into account the ambient temperature - the higher the degree, the faster the products will heat up. In the case of hot foods - cool.

Thermobags are distinguished by simplicity of operation:

• To achieve maximum effect, all its components and products must first be cooled;
• Choosing which products to place inside, you can use the elementary rule, which states that heat transfer occurs more slowly on a larger surface. For example, one liter bottle will cool longer than two half a liter;
• The farther the bag is from heat sources and direct sunlight, the longer it will keep cold; Do not save on batteries, their number significantly extends the shelf life of products fresh;
• If the batteries were not at hand, they can be replaced for a short time by a heating pad or plastic containers with saline, aged in the freezer;
• If you need to keep food warm, you do not need to use batteries;
• In addition, a kitchen towel will help to insulate the container with a hot lunch. Previously, it can be ironed.

The ability to maintain a stable temperature inside the tank depends on the size of the bag, the materials from which it is made, the number of batteries, the external temperature, the time that the products and the cold elements spent in the refrigerator.

Children's bags, which are more often used as a thermos and not as a refrigerator, maintain the temperature at the same level for up to 3 hours, bags without a battery - up to 4 hours, with batteries - up to 13. Gel bags can remain cold for up to 10 hours.

When choosing a thermal bag, you should pay attention to the following parameters:

• Sizes. You should not buy a bag that will fit a snack for a football team, if it is supposed to take provisions for a picnic of 4 people;
• Material. The outer layer should be dense, the plastic should be strong, and the inner space lined with PVC film, and not colored oilcloth;
• Stitches. There should be no protruding threads, weak and crooked stitches;
• Wall thickness. For the safety of products, a thickness of at least 0.8 mm is required. The wider they are, the longer the product will maintain temperature;
• Hardware. Velcro and locks also play an important role - they provide tight preservation of products inside the container, preventing the ingress of warm air;
• Belts, wheels, handles. It is worthwhile to foresee how exactly it is planned to carry the bag, especially if its volume is 120 liters. The pens should be firmly sewn, the wheels are preferably gel, rather than plastic;
• Guarantee period. Like any product, an insulated bag can be of inadequate quality. Without a warranty card, this purchase will be a waste of money.

When purchasing a bag for the first time, it is worth taking a look at the models that have already won the favor of customers, having established themselves with high-quality and convenient products. These brands include: Arctic, Ezetil, Decathlon, Igloo, Coolfort, Nordway.

Thermal bag - an acquisition available to anyone. The smallest model will cost about a thousand rubles, the average - 3-5 thousand, roomy - from 9000. The average cost of a thermal container is from 7000 rubles, an auto-refrigerator - from 10000.

The upper price limit depends only on financial capabilities and can reach amounts in excess of 50,000.

Cold batteries are generally not included. The cost of one piece is from 200 rubles.

According to numerous reviews of the owners, the thermal bag performs its functions perfectly.

The product is praised for its quality, durability, ease of use, and how well it maintains the right temperature.

They note spaciousness, even the smallest model and ease of transportation.

Special attention should be paid to thermal bags for baby food. They are ideal for carrying milk and mixtures in a warm condition during trips and walks - the kids are full, and the mothers are happy!