How to keep beverages cold during a party/picnic?

[maslex]

I'm in the process of planning my son's graduation party for June. I'd like to find a different way to store cans of soda, bottles of water, etc and keep cold during the day. We usually have a few coolers around the deck but I'm trying to think of something different.

Friends of ours had a kiddie pool one year filled with ice but that wouldn't fit on our deck. Maybe a big plastic tote?

What are some of the ideas that you've used?

 

[cabanafrau]

I'm in the process of planning my son's graduation party for June. I'd like to find a different way to store cans of soda, bottles of water, etc and keep cold during the day. We usually have a few coolers around the deck but I'm trying to think of something different.

Friends of ours had a kiddie pool one year filled with ice but that wouldn't fit on our deck. Maybe a big plastic tote?

What are some of the ideas that you've used?

I'm confused, what's the benefit of a plastic tote, which I assume isn't insulated, versus coolers? The most successful I've seen use the various designated coolers for the waters, the sodas and the beers, keeping the beers in an easily observable location. The other successful one I've seen is a couple people have purchased the stand-up, cylinder displays from stores that were getting rid of them. They have the clear bubble tops, you put in some ice w/ your beverages, plug it in & all is good.

 

[Wendy31]

Have you seen this?

http://http://www.pinterest.com/pin/204139795582432039/

It's an old refrigerator that's been converted into an ice chest - would be perfect for a large outdoor party!!

I haven't done the above yet, but, if I were having an outdoor party w/ lots of guests, I probably be trying to talk DH into making one for me!

In the past, for smaller outdoor parties, I've used the old tin tubs - I think they're "prettier" than ice chests. Plus, it's easier for guests to find the drink they want w/o having to hold open an ice chest & dig through ice. (It's sorta like the kiddie pool idea.)

My inlaws have a pool, & they actually have a smaller refrigerator (in between a dorm size & a regular size) that they keep plugged in on their back patio. During the summer months, they keep it filled w/ drinks.

 

[wiigirl]

Have you seen this?

http://http://www.pinterest.com/pin/204139795582432039/

It's an old refrigerator that's been converted into an ice chest - would be perfect for a large outdoor party!!

 

[clh2]

The kiddie pool is a cute idea - would you be able to put it on the grass near the deck instead of on the deck?

We had many coolers for our DD's party - and most were "near" the deck.

I am going to give you my best advice about ice: get it early in the day of your party. If you wait to long - you will have a harder time finding it. Don't forget - your party will be one of many occurring that day, and everyone will be needing ice.

 

[cabanafrau]

Have you seen this?

http://http://www.pinterest.com/pin/204139795582432039/

It's an old refrigerator that's been converted into an ice chest - would be perfect for a large outdoor party!!

I haven't done the above yet, but, if I were having an outdoor party w/ lots of guests, I probably be trying to talk DH into making one for me!

In the past, for smaller outdoor parties, I've used the old tin tubs - I think they're "prettier" than ice chests. Plus, it's easier for guests to find the drink they want w/o having to hold open an ice chest & dig through ice. (It's sorta like the kiddie pool idea.)

My inlaws have a pool, & they actually have a smaller refrigerator (in between a dorm size & a regular size) that they keep plugged in on their back patio. During the summer months, they keep it filled w/ drinks.

Looks neat, but I wonder how it really works out? I thought you couldn't lay refrigerators on their sides, even for transport?

 

[msjprincess]

Looks neat, but I wonder how it really works out? I thought you couldn't lay refrigerators on their sides, even for transport?

You can lie them on their side, they just have to be upright for a certain amount of time before you can use it. But in this case it wouldn't matter because it's being used as a cooler not being plugged in as a refrigerator.

 

[cabanafrau]

You can lie them on their side, they just have to be upright for a certain amount of time before you can use it. But in this case it wouldn't matter because it's being used as a cooler not being plugged in as a refrigerator.

Oh, I didn't take it that way. That makes sense.

 

[bcla]

I'm confused, what's the benefit of a plastic tote, which I assume isn't insulated, versus coolers? The most successful I've seen use the various designated coolers for the waters, the sodas and the beers, keeping the beers in an easily observable location. The other successful one I've seen is a couple people have purchased the stand-up, cylinder displays from stores that were getting rid of them. They have the clear bubble tops, you put in some ice w/ your beverages, plug it in & all is good.

They're usually cheaper than coolers. As long as you've still got ice, the results are just as cold. It won't stay cold as long of course. However, I've encountered a lot of these at parties.

An old trick if you need to cool down beverages in a hurry is to add water to the ice. Ice water is 32 deg F and ice in water soon becomes 32 deg F. If you have mostly unmelted ice, then the air less efficient at transferring the heat from the beverage container to the ice (melting ice as a result).

 

[barkley]

You can lie them on their side, they just have to be upright for a certain amount of time before you can use it. But in this case it wouldn't matter because it's being used as a cooler not being plugged in as a refrigerator.

before i put in the time and money to do one of these i would check what my local laws on fridges was-in many places it's illegal to have a fridge that's not plugged in unless the door has been removed or it's padlocked shut (too many tragedies of kids getting in them and suffocating)-where we used to live if the fire department saw one or got a report of one they would dispatch someone and remove the door-then send a bill along with a fine.

 

[msjprincess]

before i put in the time and money to do one of these i would check what my local laws on fridges was-in many places it's illegal to have a fridge that's not plugged in unless the door has been removed or it's padlocked shut (too many tragedies of kids getting in them and suffocating)-where we used to live if the fire department saw one or got a report of one they would dispatch someone and remove the door-then send a bill along with a fine.

I'm not the one who suggested it. I was answering the question as to whether they could lie on their side.

 

[hopemax]

Costco has faux half wine barrels, intended purpose as planters for holding flowers. I think they are about $17. We bought 2 for the intended purpose, but DH realized that they would work great for soda at tailgates. He helps run the tailgates for the local MLS (soccer) team. Kind of like your kiddie pool idea, but smaller.

 

[bcla]

Costco has faux half wine barrels, intended purpose as planters for holding flowers. I think they are about $17. We bought 2 for the intended purpose, but DH realized that they would work great for soda at tailgates. He helps run the tailgates for the local MLS (soccer) team. Kind of like your kiddie pool idea, but smaller.

Don't they leak? Of course real wine barrels are tested to be watertight, but I'd think planters would be intentionally designed for drainage.

I was thinking something like this:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Homz-17-Gallon-Rope-Handled-Tub-Set-of-12/21690863

8 for $43 seems pretty reasonable.

 

[NotUrsula]

A dog-tub. You know, a large galvanized tub with handles.

The advantage of a larger-surface tub without a lid is that the drinks are visible in it, and it looks decorative. (And yes, a planter will also do just fine for the purpose, though you will want to temporarily cork the hole in the bottom.) You can temporarily insulate it with towels on top and around it before the party, to keep the ice longer.

We use our freestanding firepit for this purpose in hot weather; it works nicely but has to be cleaned out first, and it is a bit hard to drain afterward.

If you want to really invest and go spiffy, get a vintage Coke ice-bath cooler; it will set you back at least $1K.

 

[declansdad]

There is a reason they make coolers.

 

[Tozzie]

How hot does it get where you live? All of the cute ideas are open which means if it is hot the ice is going to melt fast I would stick with the coolers

 

[EMode]

Don't they leak? Of course real wine barrels are tested to be watertight, but I'd think planters would be intentionally designed for drainage.

I was thinking something like this:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Homz-17-Gallon-Rope-Handled-Tub-Set-of-12/21690863

8 for $43 seems pretty reasonable.

I use a couple coolers for beer and soda but I have 2 of these that I use for juices and waters. I just make sure to keep them out of the sun and replenish the ice if needed. I would love to just use coolers but I don't have the storage space for 4-5 large coolers. These stack and I use the top one for all the baseballs, basketballs, etc.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I say go and get a couple of new coolers as there are many "cool" styles out there and "dress them up" somehow.

 

[bcla]

There is a reason they make coolers.

Certainly useful for an all-day affair or where something has to be kept cold for days without access to any other kind of refrigeration. For a party it may not be necessarily.

I've been to parties where people brought coolers. There's the little dance where people sit on top of them and then others ask them to get off to find out what's inside. And often they're left closed and someone might go through several looking for a certain beverage.

There's a certain benefit to having everything more or less visible. At various professional meetings, I've seen beverages placed in a bowl with chipped ice. And often beverage cans/bottles are placed on ice in large trays.

 

[hopemax]

Don't they leak? Of course real wine barrels are tested to be watertight, but I'd think planters would be intentionally designed for drainage.

There's spots where you can drill out for drainage, but they don't have holes pre-made. So no they don't leak.