Icey-Tek - any better than a regular coolbox if you can't use the special gel packs?

[EasterMum]

We are seriously considering investing in an Icey-Tek, but are wondering if it will be any better for us than a regular cool box as we won't be able to use the special gel packs that they advise you use along with it. This is because at the campsite we go to, they only allow you to use the ice packs that they provide...annoyingly!

So, if we are stuck with using 'normal' icepacks, is it worth having an Icey-Tek? I guess we'd still have to replace the icepacks every day. Unfortunately, buying ice wouldn't be a solution either as the big local hypermarket didn't seem to sell ice. However, we could pre-chill it by filling it with frozen water bottles and ice before we set out on the long drive to France - so that's something.

Any tales of using Icey-Teks with regular ice packs are gratefully received - thank you!

Ordinary ones work - that's what we have used for 2 years now. Pre-chill for at least 2 days ahead of leaving. Freeze some food to defrost slowly over next couple of days. A frozen bag of wine (aka inner bag of wine box minus a glass to allow for expansion) also helps placed over top as air excluder. Have camped in pretty high temps no prob with icey tek. Hth

We just use cheap Tesco ice packs and my wine was still icey cold when our tent hit 47 degrees last July

We had some frozen milk in there and topped up with a bag of ice from the local pub on day 3 as there was nowhere to refreeze the packs.

I'm sure if you pre chill and pack it well with frozen and cold food (so less room for air) it will be fine. In fact we've learned not to put in salad or soft fruit as it gets frozen!

Wondering how many familiar faces I will see on here shortly! It is a brilliant cool box what ever you use to chill it. I've only just got the proper icepacks until now I've used whatever I had, bundles of ice lollies from French supermarkets and bought in ice or run of the mill cooling packs. If you chill the box down before use (pre freeze bottles of water and put in a day or so before you leave) it works even better. I have had ice cold drinks and butter too hard to spread when it's been 35 degrees outside. you can also freeze wine box inners with the wine in so on day 5 or so you have lovely cold wine which has been doing a good job up to that point.

So as above, keep it filled also don't let the children keep opening it and you will have a very good cool box. Well worth the money.

Thanks for your replies all, very helpful! Okay, it looks like it's still better than the average coolbox, even without the gel packs. One thing though - we'll be able to prefreeze it and load it up with ice etc for the two day drive to France, but once we're there, we'll only be able to use normal icepacks as ice does not seem to be available in the hypermarket near the campsite. Will this be okay do you think? Also, if you were using normal icepacks, how often would you say you have to swop them over? We're used to doing it daily with a normal cool box, could we manage doing it on alternate days with an Icey-Tek? Thanks again everyone!

Do tell - what's the difference between an Icey Tek gel pack and the gel packs you can buy elsewhere ?

The gel packs are thinner than normal ice packs and stay frozen/much colder for ages.

From their website The aussie gel packs contain commercial gel which when used in our boxes enables them to stay frozen for 1-2 days.

They are also made to fit in the iceyteks.

I see ,so quite diifferent from gel packs available here .Interesting .

If they're available to purchase seperately from the actual Icey Tek ,maybe they'd be a good buy for those of using cheaper less efficient cool boxes ?

I'm tempted by the Aussie Gel Packs now!

I've been using ordinary gel freezer blocks - not the crap cheap ones that just have water in, the gel ones, but it would be good to have one made to fit.

Icey Teks are way better than the usual hollow-walled coolboxes, though I gather the Coleman Extreme is also v good?

I have a coleman extreme and the icey tek beats it hand down. Have just bought 3 more 55litre ones in fancy colours for the glampsite - they work a treat there.