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Best Ways to Keep Ice From Melting In Your Cooler

Expert Tips & Tricks
Nothing’s worse than reaching for a cold drink, only to find a puddle of water and warm beverages. Whether you’re heading out for a weekend camping trip, planning a beach day, or getting ready for a tailgate party, knowing how to maximize ice retention in your cooler can make or break your adventure.

But here’s the thing — even the best cooler can’t do all the work if you’re not using it right. In this guide, we’ll break down the best ways to keep ice from melting in your cooler and how to get the most out of your gear, especially when using a YETI® Cooler.

The following advice applies to both Tundra® Hard Coolers and Hopper® Soft Coolers, however only Tundra® Hard Coolers are dry ice compatible. 


Quick Tips to Keep Ice From Melting In Your Cooler



Tip Why it Works
Pre-chill your cooler Pre-chilling your cooler ensures that the ice is not fighting against a warm interior in your cooler, keeping the ice closer to its original temperature and therefore colder for longer.
Use block ice Block ice melts at a much slower rate than smaller, cubed ice.
Keep the cooler closed Every time you open it, warm air rushes in. Large areas of air inside your cooler will accelerate ice-melt as the ice is consumed with having to cool the air, instead of your contents.
Fill the cooler completely Less air space = slower melting. If you do need to leave space in your cooler, they are best filled with extra ice, towels, or crumpled newspaper if weight is a concern.
Store in the shade Keep your cooler out of direct sunlight when possible. Ice can last much longer in the shade. Some pros even use tarps or towels to cover their coolers when they can’t find a shaded spot.
Don't drain melted water Cold water inside the cooler helps insulate the remaining ice and keep it colder longer.



1. Pre-Chill Your Cooler


One of the most common mistakes? Putting ice into a warm cooler.

A cooler that’s been sitting in a hot garage, car, or shed will absorb the cold from your ice, causing it to melt faster. The solution? Pre-chill your cooler before loading it up.



How To Pre-Chill Your Cooler:


  • Fill it with a bag of ice or frozen water bottles a few hours before packing. Please note, because water expands as it freezes, make sure plastic bottles and jugs are approximately only 90% full before freezing. 


  • For an extra boost, use dry ice (only Tundra® and Roadie® Hard Coolers are designed to handle it).


  • Store your cooler in a cool spot overnight with the lid open before packing.

Pro Tip: Even though YETI® Coolers are built with thick, pressure-injected insulation, pre-chilling gives you a head start on ice retention.



2. Use The Right Type of Ice


Not all ice melts at the same rate. Choosing the right kind can double the time your cooler stays cold.


Block Ice vs. Cubed Ice

  • Block Ice: Lasts longer because it has less surface area exposed to warm air. Ideal for multi-day trips.
  • Cubed Ice: The kind you’d pick up from a gas station or grocery store. Cubes ice will cools food and drinks faster but melts faster. Great for short trips or when you need to chill drinks quickly.
  • Use YETI® Ice: It can be used to supplement or replace block ice, and is uniquely developed to help regular cubed ice stay frozen, longer. 


Use Dry Ice - Tundra®, Roadie®, and YETI Tank® Hard Coolers Only

  • Simply put, dry ice is the frozen form of carbon dioxide and its -109° F temperature makes it perfect for freezing quickly and keeping items frozen. 
  • Dry ice gives off almost three times the cooling power per pound than regular ice, and this added benefit provides dramatic weight savings when packing your Tundra® Hard Cooler
  • Store your cooler with dry ice in well-ventilated areas and make sure there is proper ventilation during transportation.
  • Learn more about how to use dry ice in a YETI Cooler here.


Best Ice Strategy:

  • Place block ice on the bottom to keep things cold longer.
  • Add cubed ice on top to fill gaps and quickly chill your items.


3. Keep the Cooler Closed as Much as Possible


Every time you open your cooler, warm air rushes in and cold air escapes. Over time, this can significantly shorten ice retention.


How To Minimize Air Exposure:


  • Plan ahead and organize items so you know exactly what you’re grabbing.


  • Limit how often you open the cooler.


  • For longer trips, use one cooler for food and one for drinks—people tend to open the drink cooler more often.

4. Pack Your Cooler Full


A full cooler retains cold better than one with empty space. The more empty air inside, the faster ice will melt.


How to Pack Your Cooler for Maximum Ice Retention:


  • Fill any extra space with ice, frozen water bottles, or towels to reduce airflow.


  • As you use up items, rearrange the contents to keep the cooler packed.


Pro Tip: Frozen water bottles are a great space-filler and can double as cold drinking water later on. Please note, because water expands as it freezes, make sure plastic bottles and jugs are approximately only 90% full before freezing. Plastic bottles and jugs should only be 90% full before freezing to allow for expansion.


5. Store Your Cooler in the Shade


Even the best-insulated cooler can’t beat the sun. Direct sunlight heats up the cooler’s exterior, which will transfer into the cooler over time.


How to Protect Your Cooler from Heat:

  • Keep your cooler in the shade—under trees or a tarp. 
  • Cover it with a light colored blanket or towel if shade isn’t available.
  • Elevate the cooler off hot surfaces like pavement or sand to reduce heat transfer.


Pro Tip: While Tundra® Hard Coolers are built with UV-resistant materials, keeping them shaded maximizes ice retention. It is also recommended to store soft coolers in the shade. 



6. Don’t Drain the Melted Ice Water


It might seem like a good idea to drain out the melted water, but keeping the cold water in your cooler helps slow down the remaining ice from melting.


When to Keep the Water:

  • If you’re storing items that are okay to be wet or submerged (like sealed drinks or vacuum-packed foods), leave the water in to maintain a lower temperature.
  • Only drain water if you need to keep items dry or make room for more ice.


Pro Tip: For multi-day trips, let the water stay until you’re ready to add fresh ice.



7. Use a High-Performance Cooler for Maximum Ice Retention


If you’re serious about keeping ice from melting, your cooler needs to be up to the challenge. High-performance coolers like Tundra® Hard Coolers, Roadie® Hard Coolers and Hopper® Soft Coolers are designed to hold ice for days, even in the toughest conditions.


Why YETI® Coolers Keep Ice Longer:

  • RockSolidTM Strength: Armored to the core and virtually indestructible 
  • Pressure-Injected Polyurethane Foam: Thick, consistent insulation in both the walls and lid to lock in cold.
  • Freezer-Grade Gaskets: Create a seal to keep warm air out.


Pro Tip: For maximum ice retention, choose coolers like the YETI® Tundra® 35 Hard Cooler or YETI® Roadie® 15 Hard Cooler for smaller trips.



Common Questions About Keeping Ice from Melting

How Long Can Ice Last in a YETI® Cooler?

We don’t guarantee any amount of time that a cooler will keep ice due to the number of variables that impact ice retention, but when packed properly, you can expect premium performance.

What’s the Best Ice for Long Trips?

Block ice is best for long trips because it melts slower. For even better performance, consider using dry ice—YETI® Tundra® Hard Coolers and Roadie® Hard Coolers are designed to handle it. Another alternative that you can keep readily available in your freezer at home is YETI® Ice, as it’s scientifically developed to help your regular ice stay frozen longer. Check here to see how much YETI® Ice will fit in each YETI Hard Cooler.

Can I Use Dry Ice in My Cooler?

Yes, but not all coolers can handle dry ice. Only YETI® Hard Coolers like the Tundra® and Roadie® Hard Coolers are designed to safely use dry ice, thanks to their RockSolidTM Strength, thick walls and specialty gasket. The YETI Tank® Ice Bucket is also safe for dry ice, as it has an open top and does not seal shut.



Final Thoughts: Keep Your Ice Solid Longer


  • Pre-chill your cooler and contents, use block ice, and pack it full to maximize ice retention.
  • Keep your cooler in the shade, minimize how often you open it, and leave melted ice water inside for longer-lasting cold.
  • Invest in a high-performance cooler like the YETI® Hard Cooler or Soft Cooler to get some of the best ice retention on the market.


Explore YETI®’s full range of coolers and experience the difference.

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