Arctic Ice vs Yeti Ice

Focker

Anyone have experience with the ice pack products out there.   Guy in the Arctic Ice video splits the cooler with one pack, and two on the bottom, would be nice to divide food from drinks.  What size, and how many packs would you recommend for the Pelican 45.   

Are they that much better than freezing water bottles?

Tundra series is colder, but not as many positive reviews as these
 http://www.amazon.com/Arctic-Ice-Chillin-Reusable-2-5-Pound/dp/B00H50YWIE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1438218277&sr=8-1&keywords=arctic+ice+pack

thanks

Photo Egg

I ordered 4 of the XL Arctic Ice. 2 of the Alaskan, and one each of the Tundra and beverage chill. Just got one of the Pelican 35 and one of the 45.
All the information I read said to use the same amount of the Arctic Ice in weight that you would use with ice. They might be physically to large but I thought at worst case they would be great to pre chill the coolers.
Hope to have them by the weekend.
I have no experience with any "quality" ice substitutes. 
Will post how they fit when I get them.

Focker

Thanks much Darian, standing by for your review. 

SGH

@Focker
I haven't used any of them yet. Waiting to see what a few others say about them as well. I am going to pick up a couple of the 4 pound Yeti blocks when Academy gets some in. 

Focker

@SGH,
Cool, looking forward to a review. 

SGH

Photo Egg said:

I thought at worst case they would be great to pre chill the coolers.

My thoughts as well brother^^^^^^^^^^.
I also thought they may do well in a cooler that has food only in it. Shouldn't make a soggy mess like regular ice. 

SGH

Focker said:

@SGH,
Cool, looking forward to a review. 

You can count on it brother as soon as I get my hands on them.  

Jeremiah

I've been wondering as well. The yeti ice seems a bit of a stretch for the price. But I guess that's par for yeti stuff.

Focker

Some valid points guys.

SGH

Jeremiah said:

I've been wondering as well. The yeti ice seems a bit of a stretch for the price. But I guess that's par for yeti stuff.

Brother Miah, their stuff is certainly pricey for sure. However after using the 30oz Rambler and the Yeti 50 Tundra, I have to say that the price is justified to some degree. They are honestly very high end products. I know that not everyone needs one. Heck to be honest, I don't really need one myself. But I sure do like them my friend. My wife likes the 50 so much that she has laid claim to it. I'm kind of glad, this gives me reason to get the Yeti 105 that I have been eyeing.  

Jeremiah

@SGH I half agree. I love my cooler but the cup, not so much, my wife took it and loves it though. I would like to see/ hear some evidence that the yeti ice is worth it. Damn it gets old buying ice. 

SGH

Jeremiah said:

@SGH I half agree. I love my cooler but the cup, not so much, 

If I may ask, which cup was it? I have the 30 and it has been fantastic. It's all that I use now. 

Jeremiah

The bigger one. Honestly it was just too big. I already have a bunch of tervis cups that I use daily for coffee. The yeti cup was just overkill. My wife loves it though as she can freeze a little block of ice (a smaller cup) then her water is ice cold all day. Where as I just add more coffee to my tervis until it's quitting time. Then canned beer takes over.

Jeremiah

Hence proves the saying "to each his own"

SGH

Jeremiah said:

Hence proves the saying "to each his own"

No doubt brother^^^^^^^^^^^. And I agree. 

RiverDoc

I'm wanting try try an Artic ice. I put a 4lb yeti ice in my hopper with 20lbs ice and 2drinks. 3days later I had cold beer! Not saying it's the best but I'm happy with it

Raymont

I've got 2x XL Arctic Ice "Chillin Brews" delivering soon and will do some tests. I chose the Chillin Brews due to the temp it is optimized for (32F). The Tundra and Alaska series seem to be geared toward keeping things frozen (below 32F). The Tundra needs to be pre-chilled to a really cold temp (freezer on coldest setting) and is intended to replicate dry-ice. (to cold for most of my applications/drinks). Skeptical on how well "Blue Ice" works but like the idea of a cooler pre-chiller.

Photo Egg

@Raymont... Actually the Chillin Brews are designed to keep thing just below the freeze point.
It's made for beer that freezes below 32 degrees. It's made to keep 28 degrees. This will freeze most other types of food and drink if used in a good cooler.
The Alaskan is designed to keep them refrigerated.
The Tundra will freeze beer. It's made to replace dry ice.

Photo Egg

No matter how well these things work...will feel strange not having real ice in the cooler. Somehow just does not feel right. lol

Chelnerul

Driving 8 hours south to Myrtle Beach next month, very interested in this convo's evolution...

MaC122

I just don't get this new expensive cooler thing. When did coolers become a hot commodity? Everyone at the fire station loves Yeti but I just cant see spending the money. Seems like a 50$ cooler would do the job.

Wolfpack

MaC122 said:

I just don't get this new expensive cooler thing. When did coolers become a hot commodity? Everyone at the fire station loves Yeti but I just cant see spending the money. Seems like a 50$ cooler would do the job.

So would a weber vs an egg but where is the fun in that- I have three yeti's but agree the price is a little crazy. But they are built like tanks- hopefully the last coolers I will need. 

Photo Egg

@Focker...

2 of the XL Arctic Ice packs fit perfect on the bottom of the 45qt. Easily put another in the middle. Even if it was the next size smaller.

Photo Egg

2 of the XL Arctic Ice packs fit perfect on the sides of the 35qt.

DaveRichardson

Chelnerul said:

Driving 8 hours south to Myrtle Beach next month, very interested in this convo's evolution...

Just got back from Myrtle Beach with my wife and kids. Where r u staying?  If on the northern end of town, make the drive north to Calabash Creamery just across the state like in NC. It was the best ice cream that didn't come out of my churn. And the owners are eggers!

Mikee

The key is how much energy it takes to go from solid to liquid. My guess is that Yeti will not publish that. If they did, any one with a brain would not buy it.

jhl192

SGH said:

Photo Egg said:

I thought at worst case they would be great to pre chill the coolers.

My thoughts as well brother^^^^^^^^^^.
I also thought they may do well in a cooler that has food only in it. Shouldn't make a soggy mess like regular ice. 

jhl192

I have two of the Yeti ice blocks.  Easy to keep clean / wash off. Neatly fit in the freezer and do stay cold a long time.  Very pleased.  I am sure the other brands are comparable.  All way better than the cheapo bags and blocks that leak and you need 10 to cool anything. 

Focker

Photo Egg said:

2 of the XL Arctic Ice packs fit perfect on the sides of the 35qt.

Thanks Darian for the pic and info.  Just realized I had a 35qt and not the 45.  This will work perfect, did you get them from Amazon?