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Seems like it would make a nice portage-able cooler. I think you would want one of the jugs with the screw top. I would also replace the spigot with a boat plug since the spigot would inevitably get grit in it and leak. The dimensions of the cooler are similar to a 60L barrel and the Kondos barrel slings fit both 30L and 60L barrels.

I don't think I've ever seen anyone mate the two and I feel like it could work. Anyone tried it?

Nope - wasn't thinking that.

Have seen such configured in flat bed frame packs. Igloo does offer a 5 gal 18+ liter version 14.5" x 13" (oblong L%W) x 19.5" H.

Also if you wanted HVAC foam, or closed cell urethane pad insulation can be used inside a plastic barrel to make an insulated hard side container.

butthead

That is a 10 gallon cooler. 1 gallon of water weighs 8.3lbs. So 10 gallons weighs 83lbs plus the weight of the cooler and harness. I can't imagine carrying that much weight for one cooler of drinks.

Unless you are simply looking at it for use as a cooler. Even then, you are going from 60L of storage to 37L. You are losing over a third of the potential volume to insulation and a different container. Why not just insulate a 60L barrel yourself with foam to have a lighter and more space efficient cooler. You don't need a food safe hard liner just to keep some packaged food cold.

What would you haul in the cooler? Maybe use the harness for a pony keg?

A1t2o: "That is a 10 gallon cooler. 1 gallon of water weighs 8.3lbs. So 10 gallons weighs 83lbs plus the weight of the cooler and harness. I can't imagine carrying that much weight for one cooler of drinks.


Unless you are simply looking at it for use as a cooler. Even then, you are going from 60L of storage to 37L. You are losing over a third of the potential volume to insulation and a different container. Why not just insulate a 60L barrel yourself with foam to have a lighter and more space efficient cooler. You don't need a food safe hard liner just to keep some packaged food cold."

I have no intention of carrying water (unless it's ice). Simply thinking about an alternative to the soft sided cooler type packs that some folks use. I prefer fresh food and meat over the dehydrated stuff. Typically I trip with larger groups so this would be in addition to my 60L barrel pack.

For one, this is a significantly cheaper option than buying a 60L barrel and then insulating it. Yes, you lose some capacity, but unless you are insulating the outside of a 60L barrel yourself, you're going to lose some capacity anyway. How much insulation can you really put on the outside of a 60L barrel before it no longer fits in a harness? Enough to actually keep things cold/frozen for a few days? I'm honestly curious. Seems to me like insulation on the outside of the barrel would take a beating on the rocks pretty quickly.

mirth: "What would you haul in the cooler? Maybe use the harness for a pony keg?"

I'd be lying if I said that never crossed my mind! I'm not sure if I have the legs/back for that though.

I'm just thinking about options for bringing fresh food and keeping it cold/frozen for a couple days.

butthead: "Have seen such configured in flat bed frame packs. Igloo does offer a 5 gal 18+ liter version 14.5" x 13" (oblong L%W) x 19.5" H.


Also if you wanted HVAC foam, or closed cell urethane pad insulation can be used inside a plastic barrel to make an insulated hard side container.


butthead"

I can see that working pretty well if the barrels were a perfect cylinder, but most that I have seen are tapered on the ends. It seems like the insulation wouldn't fit in there well without cutting out some notches and taping seams.

I think the advantage of the water cooler mod would be that it's hard inside and out with spray foam insulation. That being said, I'd be curious to know how what you described hold up over time and how well it keeps things cold.

It would certainly look nicer. The old orange job site cooler isn't going to turn any heads for it's good looks!

Wetlander: "

A1t2o: "That is a 10 gallon cooler. 1 gallon of water weighs 8.3lbs. So 10 gallons weighs 83lbs plus the weight of the cooler and harness. I can't imagine carrying that much weight for one cooler of drinks.

Unless you are simply looking at it for use as a cooler. Even then, you are going from 60L of storage to 37L. You are losing over a third of the potential volume to insulation and a different container. Why not just insulate a 60L barrel yourself with foam to have a lighter and more space efficient cooler. You don't need a food safe hard liner just to keep some packaged food cold."

I have no intention of carrying water (unless it's ice). Simply thinking about an alternative to the soft sided cooler type packs that some folks use. I prefer fresh food and meat over the dehydrated stuff. Typically I trip with larger groups so this would be in addition to my 60L barrel pack.

For one, this is a significantly cheaper option than buying a 60L barrel and then insulating it. Yes, you lose some capacity, but unless you are insulating the outside of a 60L barrel yourself, you're going to lose some capacity anyway. How much insulation can you really put on the outside of a 60L barrel before it no longer fits in a harness? Enough to actually keep things cold/frozen for a few days? I'm honestly curious. Seems to me like insulation on the outside of the barrel would take a beating on the rocks pretty quickly. "

I was thinking you insulate the inside with closed foam, glue or duct tape it to get it to fit the form then use expanding foam insulation to seal the gaps. You would end up with much less loss of volume without that hard inner layer for liquids. Blue barrels are not that expensive and it would be a stronger material than those coolers. The important part here is that you can customize the insulation as much as you need and have a good seal on the lid. Those coolers you had in the link are really only intended for keeping water cool for a few hours, not for keeping food cold for days.

I like the idea - a bonus I didn't see mentioned is the inside of those coolers are white making things easier to find over the dark inside of the barrels.

Okay, now I see where you're getting. Maybe just remove the spigot & fill with expanding foam & glass a patch over it for strength? The lid is completely hollow so you'd want to spray in some expanding foam there too. A reflectix blanket cut to reduce the headspace you're trying to cool would also help.

Interesting concept for a cooler hauler. Keeping it out of the sun while traveling is key & probably difficult to accomplish.

The inside of a curved side barrel just takes more trim time. I hung around work with some HVAC guys and they cut and formed some complex stuff. Want easy how about a 5 or larger gallon bucket and gamma seal.

The crews I saw with the Igloo cooler frame combo were working way off road in the summer. The biggest dude carried the cooler rest of the crew the tools needed. Fire crews in Florida and and a geology bunch out west.

butthead

I have done both a barrel with extra foam insulation around it and a tall 5 gallon cooler with extra foam around and an extra circle of foam on top. All this for week long base camp near the entry to have fresh food for the week. Start with frozen meats and other things and eat as they thaw. Works well if you have a strong paddle partner or if you are not portaging far.

5 gal igloo fits nicely in the ccs pioneer and worked well in camp for fresh water. We had more fresh food than I usually take, but that was good.

In answer to the original question, no, I am not thinking what you are thinking. ;)

Ive seen the round collapsible cooler bags at menards in the summer time, always thought it would work well in a blue barrel. We usually only bring enough frozen food for 2 days, so it would be small enough and not take up alot of the barrel.

We use the Yeti backpack cooler (Backflip 24?). This year we are upgrading to two yeti backpack coolers. I would highly recommend them, yes they are expensive, but what isn't. Just freeze the food, no need to waste space / weight with ice. Best of all, the kids can carry them on the portages. Usually have frozen bacon on days 4/5.