When it comes to keeping your food and drinks cool during outdoor adventures, a reliable chilly bin is an essential companion. In New Zealand, where outdoor activities are a way of life, having the best chilly bin can make all the difference in ensuring your supplies stay fresh and chilled.
With so many options available on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your needs. In this blog post, we will explore the top chilly bins in New Zealand, highlighting their features, durability, and overall performance to help you make an informed decision for your next outdoor excursion.
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How to choose the Best Chilly Bin for you
Choosing the best chilly bin, also known as a cooler or ice chest, involves considering several factors to ensure it meets your specific needs for keeping food and drinks cold while you’re on the go. Below are detailed considerations you should take into account:
Size and Capacity:
Measure how much space you’ll need by considering what you plan to store and for how long.
Capacities are usually given in quarts or liters. As a rough guide, a 40-quart cooler is generally suitable for a family day trip, while larger 70-quart coolers or more are better for extended camping trips or large gatherings.
Think about storage both in terms of volume and physical dimensions to make sure the cooler will fit in your vehicle or the space you have allocated for it.
Insulation and Ice Retention:
The insulation quality dictates how long the cooler can keep items cold. Look for coolers with thick, high-quality insulation materials such as polyurethane or polystyrene foam.
Manufacturers may list ice retention times, which can range from a few days to over a week. Consider reviews and third-party tests to verify these claims, as real-world performance can vary.
Durability:
If you plan to use your cooler frequently or in rugged outdoors environments, look for one with sturdy construction.
Features to consider include heavy-duty walls, a strong lid seal, and durable hinges and latches. Some high-end models come with a roto-molded construction which is particularly tough.
Portability:
If you expect to carry the cooler over long distances or through difficult terrain, look for features like wheels, comfortable handles, and a lightweight design.
Soft-sided coolers can be a good option for portability, though they may not offer as much insulation as hard-sided models.
Ease of Use:
Look for features that facilitate ease of use, such as simple opening mechanisms, drain plugs for melting ice, and internal dividers or trays for organization.
Additional Features:
Some coolers come with added functionalities like built-in bottle openers, cup holders, fish scales, or even built-in USB chargers and speakers.
Consider whether these extra features are necessary for your needs and worth the potential extra cost.
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The Best Chilly Bins NZ
1. Fraser Country Chilly Bin
The Chilly Bin offers a practical solution for keeping your perishables cold during outdoor outings or events. Available in a range of sizes – 25Lt, 55Lt, 75Lt, and 120Lt – it caters to various storage needs, whether for a solo trip or a large gathering.
Constructed with high-density polyurethane insulation and made from non-toxic materials, this Chilly Bin is designed to ensure your food and drinks stay chilled for extended periods. The convenient open lid design and dual handles on each side make transport easy, while the beige color adds a classic touch to its appearance.
Additionally, the integration of a drain valve is a thoughtful feature, simplifying the process of releasing water from melted ice without tilting the bin. This aspect of the design makes it user-friendly and efficient for maintaining a clean and dry area around your Chilly Bin during use.
2. Dometic Cool-Ice Ice Box
The Dometic Cool-Ice Heavy Duty Ice Box is a must-have for extended camping adventures, offering exceptional cooling performance that can preserve the freshness of your food for up to 10 days. This impressive duration means you can focus on enjoying the great outdoors without the concern of perishables spoiling.
Crafted from thick polyurethane foam insulation, the icebox maintains an optimal internal temperature while also being surprisingly lightweight and portable compared to traditional coolers. This design choice significantly enhances its ease of transport, an essential feature when transferring your setup from one campsite to another.
Handling the icebox, even when stocked, is made convenient by the integrated handles on both sides, ensuring a firm and comfortable grip. These ergonomic considerations underscore the Dometic Cool-Ice Ice Box as a practical option for those seeking durable, long-lasting cool storage without sacrificing portability.
3. Portable Camping Fridges Car Cooler
This Portable Camping Fridge Car Cooler promises to be an essential asset for outdoor enthusiasts. Powered by a 12V car battery, it affords adventurers the luxury of refrigeration in the most remote locations. Its robust build quality ensures it can withstand the demands of an active lifestyle and maintain a consistent cooling environment for your perishables.
The unit features a formidable compressor, demonstrating its capacity to cool efficiently and rapidly. Whether you’re chilling beverages or preserving food, this cooler meets the challenge with ease. The added convenience of cooling on-the-go makes it a game-changer for campers and road trippers alike.
Organization is made simple with its dual-compartment design, allowing for neat storage. The 3-stage automatic power-off mechanism is a thoughtful touch, providing peace of mind by safeguarding against draining your vehicle’s battery. It’s a practical solution for keeping your provisions fresh while enjoying the great outdoors.
4. Napoleon White Chilly Bin
The Chilly Bin stands out with its stylish and sleek design, offering both aesthetic appeal and practical functionality for outdoor enthusiasts. Crafted from high-quality materials, the bin guarantees to keep your drinks chilled for an impressive 12-hour duration, ensuring refreshment throughout your day.
With a capacity to hold 18 standard bottles, this Chilly Bin is an ideal companion for family picnics, beach outings, or backyard barbecues. Its spaciousness ensures that you can keep everyone’s drinks cold and within reach, enhancing the experience of any social gathering or solo adventure.
Not only is this cooler effective, but it also comes in a range of vibrant colors—yellow, green, and purple—allowing you to choose one that complements your style or kitchen decor. Its visual appeal makes it more than just a utility item; it’s a statement piece for your outdoor activities.
5. TropiCool Thermoelectric Cooler Warmer 
The Dometic TropiCool is a versatile thermoelectric cooler, offering a 14 L storage volume that’s perfect for personal use or small groups. Its dual power capabilities, able to operate on both 12 V DC and 230 V AC, make it a flexible option for various settings, from car trips to home use.
Weighing a mere 8 kg and outfitted with an integrated handle, this cooler is designed for effortless portability. The high-performance compressor is a standout feature, achieving chilling temperatures down to -27 °C quickly, ensuring your items stay cold throughout your adventures.
Due to its superior insulation, the Dometic TropiCool excels in maintaining low temperatures for an extended period, even after being switched off. This energy-efficient design means that your perishables stay chilled, reducing the need for continuous power and enhancing convenience on multi-day expeditions.
6. ProMarine Chilly Bin
Constructed for durability, the marine-grade rope bin is crafted with resilience in mind, featuring a food-grade liner and UV resistance to withstand harsh outdoor elements. This robust design prioritizes longevity and safety for your stored items, whether in a marine environment or on a camping adventure.
The bin’s lid, fully moulded and integrated, is made from high-density polyurethane insulation, ensuring excellent thermal retention. This thoughtful design detail aids in preserving the internal temperature, keeping contents consistently chilled and protected from external heat sources.
Practicality is addressed through the inclusion of a secure drain valve, prohibiting any water ingress when the bin is not in use. Paired with heavy-duty handles that are marine-grade, this rope bin facilitates easy and reliable transportation, with the assurance that it can handle demanding use in various outdoor settings.
7. Southern Ocean Chilly Bin
The Southern Ocean Chilly Bin offers the promise of prolonged freshness for your food and drinks, a perfect companion for extended trips or gatherings. Its construction from durable polyethylene ensures ice retention for days, liberating you from the concern of your provisions warming prematurely.
This ice chest is not only robust but also thoughtfully designed with a thick lid that serves as a barrier against potential dents and leaks. Such features attest to its readiness to face the rigors of outdoor use while maintaining its integrity and the safety of its contents.
Practicality meets aesthetics in this marine-grade, UV-resistant cooler, boasting an attractive design that doesn’t sacrifice functionality. The lid’s built-in dual cup holders provide a convenient spot to place drinks, enhancing the usability of this reliable cool box during your outdoor leisure activities.
FAQs
What’s the maximum duration a chilly bin can keep contents cold?
Chilly bins generally keep contents cold for a few hours up to several days, varying by bin quality and use conditions.
How long does ice last in a chilly bin?
Ice in a chilly bin can last from 12 hours to a few days based on cooler insulation and external factors.
How do I keep my chilly bin cold?
To maintain cold temperatures, pre-chill the bin, use plenty of ice, limit openings, and shade the bin from direct sunlight.