Fiberglass or polyethylene: which is better for an ice box?
Coolers are certainly a convenient commodity in hot weather. Whether your cooler is to keep beverages cold or to ensure that foods like meat and dairy are still safe to eat, or even to prevent moisture build-up within the delicate operation of expensive electronic devices, in the long run. term, you will save money. using an ice box. Carrying food and drink when you go out allows you to go further where fewer fast food chains flip burgers; in fact, you can bring your own burgers in your cooler and flip your own for lunch.
A visit to the website of an Australian supplier has revealed the results of the tests they carried out under controlled conditions, showing that the ice boxes they tested would keep commercial ice frozen for 7-10 days in the four boxes they used. used. tried. Although this test was not specifically designed to show whether fiberglass was more efficient than polyethylene or vice versa, one of the boxes tested was the 80-liter fiberglass box that was found to keep ice frozen until the end of the test. Tenth day. The other ice boxes included in this test were plastic boxes of the same size.
Whether there is a big difference between fiberglass and polyethylene is debatable, as the other cooler that kept the ice frozen until the end of the 10th day was an 85-liter polyethylene plastic box. Meanwhile, the rest of the boxes kept the ice frozen until the end of the seventh day. This suggests that efficiency might have more to do with the insulation than the materials the box is made of. There are certainly downsides to fiberglass ice boxes, although there are benefits as well.
The deeper problem with fiberglass ice boxes is that they are more easily damaged than their polyethylene counterparts. Fiberglass is more brittle, making it more prone to cracking, which can allow water to enter the insulation cavity. This will cause the box to lose some of its insulating qualities. Another problem related to reduced insulation is the cap that is often not built along the extra thick lines found in polyethylene caps. That being said, however, fiberglass ice boxes are easier to clean and look attractive. Many people would buy a fiberglass cooler for its looks, as the glossy finish presents a smooth, aesthetic appeal that is often lacking in poly coolers.
Once you start looking for an ice box, you will notice that whether you look at modern polyethylene ice boxes or fiberglass ice boxes, they are both attractively made. There is often a wider range of polyethylene boxes to choose from, and fiberglass boxes are usually available in a smaller range. Common sizes for fiberglass coolers are 50 liters, 80 liters, and 110 liters. They are also available in a rectangular shape that is long enough to accommodate the length of those extra long fish.
Modern boxes generally keep ice frozen for up to 9 days. This is because insulation is paramount, paying attention and detail to the lid seal, as well as the quality of the latches, each of which is typically corrosion proof and can be easily replaced. Another benefit found in many fiberglass ice boxes is the non-slip thermoplastic elastomer legs that have been designed to prevent the cold box from moving. These elastomer feet have been designed so that they do not mark the surface they are on. This is just another example of the modern refrigerator manufacturer’s attention to detail.