Expert Tip: Packing Your Cooler

Most RVs and
campers today are equipped with many of the comforts of home, including
nice-sized refrigerators, and often freezers that make food storage easy. But
even if you have the luxury of modern conveniences, you may need to
occasionally supplement your storage if you have a long trip planned or a big
group to feed. Or, if you don’t have the benefit of built-in cold storage in
your vehicle, a little planning and a well-organized cooler is
essential:

• Choose an appropriately-sized cooler
  that’s well insulated and has a lid that locks down tight. Coolers with
  multiple lids or access points are nice to minimize “cool air loss” when the
  lid is opened and closed.
• Use frozen foods to help keep
  your cooler cool without the bulk of loose bagged
  ice.
• Freeze all items that won’t be damaged by freezing
  and thawing to help extend the life of your ice supply and keep your foods
  cool. Bacon, sausage, lunch meats, prepared meals and meats are great
  choices.

Packing the
Cooler

• Pack foods in order of
  anticipated use to help preserve cool temperatures that will keep your foods
  at a safe storage temperature. Put what you plan to eat first or snack on
  frequently on top. Foods for later in the trip can go to the bottom of the
  cooler. If your cooler has trays or dividers, use them to keep raw foods and
  precooked or fresh foods separate to avoid any cross contamination. If you
  don’t have dividers, you can make your own by using large plastic storage
  bins that will fit inside the cooler. A plastic cutting board can also work
  well as a divider and serve as a cutting surface on the
  road.
• If you have the luxury of space, use two coolers –
  one for food and one for drinks to keep your foods the coldest. If you’re
  using one cooler for all of your supplies, separate the food from the drinks
  so they’re easy to grab with a quick open and close of the lid. Or, if your
  RV has a refrigerator, store food inside and keep drinks in a cooler to limit
  frequent opening and closing of the fridge door.
• When
  you’re on the road, keep your cooler in a shady spot to help preserve ice.
  Unless your vehicle is “climate controlled,” you shouldn’t keep your cooler
  inside. Drain your cooler frequently to avoid water buildup that will deplete
  your ice supply quickly.
• In very hot climates, if you
  have access to water, try putting a wet towel over the top of your cooler to
  create an “evaporative cooling effect!”