Ice Chest Question: 1 Big One or 2 Medium Sized

JakeSCH

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Oct 16, 2017
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Hey Everyone!

I have a cow elk hunt planned for Jan 2019 in Utah and plan on deboning the meat (max of 200 lb) and driving it back to San Diego.

I am looking at a cooler upgrade and I am trying to figure out whether it is worth buying two smaller 60 quart (range) coolers, and 80 + 40, or just buy a big one? Right now I am leaning toward buying two Cabela's Polar Caps 80 + 40 which would give me the most flexibility in the future.

I know there are many good things about Yeti, Pelican, Engel, etc. but I want this thread to focus more on how many the whether the best choice is two smaller coolers vs one big one.

You can thank Field & Stream for me leaning toward the Cabela's Polar Cap based on this test they did a couple of years ago:
https://www.fieldandstream.com/arti...owdown-12-top-end-coolers-ranked-and-reviewed
 
I used a 60qt pelican and a 150qt igloo for my bull this year. I did not debone the quarters but I was able to make it fit. I would guess if it was deboned cow would fit in a 150qt igloo. I got mine on Amazon for like $100. Here is a picture of my two coolers completely full with the processed meat so I could not have fit it all in one even if it was deboned.

96D483BD-1C55-4AA7-8BCF-AB074FC0999A.jpeg
 
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Go with one. It will stay colder longer. You won't have an issue getting a de-boned cow in a 160 Qt.
 
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Hey Everyone!

I have a cow elk hunt planned for Jan 2019 in Utah and plan on deboning the meat (max of 200 lb) and driving it back to San Diego.

I am looking at a cooler upgrade and I am trying to figure out whether it is worth buying two smaller 60 quart (range) coolers, and 80 + 40, or just buy a big one? Right now I am leaning toward buying two Cabela's Polar Caps 80 + 40 which would give me the most flexibility in the future.

I know there are many good things about Yeti, Pelican, Engel, etc. but I want this thread to focus more on how many the whether the best choice is two smaller coolers vs one big one.

You can thank Field & Stream for me leaning toward the Cabela's Polar Cap based on this test they did a couple of years ago:
https://www.fieldandstream.com/arti...owdown-12-top-end-coolers-ranked-and-reviewed


Can you pick up a loaded cooler by your self, I use a large one personally but just slide it when it is in my truck
 
I appreciate the responses! I guess I don’t need to drop a lot of money on multiple coolers. I saw the Costco in Poway has a 165 qt igloo for $100. Thanks again. Saving me money to use in other areas.
 

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