The world didn't always have chests of molded, insulated plastics from Coleman and other popular brands. In fact, for much of history an ice chest was simply a box you kept ice in. But today, the ice chest market is one with plenty of variety and plenty of options, as well as simple but well-developed technology that helps with internal insulation.

The two major ingredients you'll find for a typical cooler are foam and plastic - plastic for the overall body, and foam for an extra layer of insulation. Some cheaper models may also eschew the foam entirely. The thickness of these chests is unusual for containers in general, but is built into these products specifically for the purpose of regulating temperature. Always remember that the overall size of the cooler is nowhere near the internal storage, even in the best brands.

In terms of wear and tear risk from ordinary usage, the handles of a cooler are the most vulnerable parts. Side handles have to be attached very firmly to the cooler to withstand its weight. Upper bar handles, which can double as locking mechanisms for some coolers, are less frail at the attachment points. However, they're more brittle along the length of the handle, due to the inflexible nature of hard plastic. Any ice chest you buy should be one where you've thoroughly looked over the handles before purchase to make sure it can handle your intended uses for it.

Besides the ability to store more things, larger coolers often are designed with a number of other conveniences. This is particularly true with respect to beverage accommodation, since large coolers are frequently used to hold drinks for parties and other events. Since the prices on models that include minor benefits like drink holders are often very similar to the prices on equally-sized coolers without these advantages, you should try to purchase a product with them if you want them.

You won't find many different artistic quirks in the **Igloo ice chest** or other ice chest brand market. With most models dominated by simple one, two, or three color designs with no fancy prints, there's little personalization involved. But this does help keep them appropriate for more formal locations such as offices and other areas of business.

There are a number of details you can look for in any ice chest to make sure it's one worth your money. The most relevant one is the maximum temperature the product has been guaranteed by the company to function properly under, as well as the maximum period of time for functioning under that temperature. A good company will mention these facts directly in the product description. If they don't, then you should probably consider a different cooler unless you have a great deal of faith in the brand.

Even in the best coolers with the most up to date **Igloo cooler replacement parts**, using ice is a simple necessity. Coolers are designed to maintain the internal environment while protecting from the outside environment. However, if that internal area isn't colder than the outside to begin with, the cooler can't make it colder. It's advised to pack as much ice as a cooler will accommodate after placing the primary items inside, to get a properly cold cooler that will stay that way for hours or more.

Few ice chests are over one hundred dollars, even with the larger and more luxurious models. The prices range from around eighty down to fifteen or twenty dollars, making them affordable for most people regardless of their circumstances. In cases where they're needed to prevent food from spoiling, they're sure to earn back their money's worth over time, being so cheap in the first place.