5 Cool Cooler Tips for 4th of July Weekend
When you head out on the water, you want to come prepared. That means sunscreen, your best friend, and a fully stocked cooler! But there are a few important things you should keep in mind if you don’t want to ruin the party with lukewarm beers and soggy sandwiches.
Check out our five tips that are going to make sure you’ve everything you need for your 4th of July plans!
1. Prep Your Cooler
Believe it or not, there’s more to loading a cooler than throwing in some beers and dumping ice on it. Or, there can be, anyway. If you’re taking your cooler out on a boat in July, then you’re going to want to take some extra steps to keep your cooler from turning into a kiddy pool.
The day before you’re going out, bring in the cooler and wipe it down. Then fill it with cold tap water and a few handfuls of ice and keep it inside until the next day. This is going to pre-chill your cooler, which will make sure your ice lasts all day when you head out. Just dump out the water before you go, dry off the inside, and you’re good to load up with your favorite drinks and snacks!
2. When It Comes to Ice, Keep It Simple
There are a ton of products that have tried to replace it, but nothing chills a drink quite like good ol’ ice. You don’t need anything fancy—just take it straight out of the freezer and load ‘er up! If you followed step one, then your cooler will already be chilled, so you won’t have to worry about your ice melting too quickly.
As a bonus, using regular ice cubes creates less waste than using ice packs, so enjoy your 4th of July party knowing you did a little something for the environment.
3. Protect Your Sandwiches
Nobody likes a soggy bun, and even worse is a sandwich that’s been smashed in a cooler all day. But there’s an easy fix! Put your sandwiches in Ziploc bags, then wrap them in towels. Not only will this keep the moisture away, but you won’t have to worry about other things in the cooler crushing your lunch!
If you’re really a sandwich snob (and we totally get it if you are), keep the bread out of the cooler and pack all the fixings separately. This is great if you’ve got a big group, since everyone can just make what they want when they want it!
4. Ditch the Packaging
If you’ve got a smaller cooler, then you’re probably going to need all the space you can get. So make sure you’re not wasting valuable storage space with extra packaging!
For example, buy the six-pack of beer, but leave the cardboard on land. And if you decide to bring condiments, bringing little packets will work just as well and save a lot more room than bringing the whole bottle. You should bring enough to be nice and full for the 4th, and if you pack smart, you’ll be able to fit a whole feast into any cooler!
5. Don’t Drain Your Cooler
Toward the end of the day, you might feel tempted to pour out some of the melted ice. But don’t do it! Even if it’s not solid anymore, that water is still going to help keep your snacks chilled the whole time you’re out on the water.
Another reason to leave the water inside is that every time you open your cooler, you’re letting in more heat. Don’t let that stop you from reaching for another beer (as long as you’re not driving), but if you don’t need to get in the cooler, it’s best to just leave it closed.
Enjoy the 4th of July on the Water
Spending the day out on Tampa Bay is the perfect way to have fun before the fireworks start. And if you follow these tips, you’re going to have plenty of cool drinks and snacks to last you all day. The best part? These cooler tips are good for the whole summer, so try them out and see which ones you like best!
Ready to set up your boat rental? You can book your rental online, call us at (727) 867-0077, or email us at fun@tvboatrentals.com. Summer is boating season, so get out and enjoy the Florida sunshine!