# Does this product exist? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 20, 2011, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-product-exist/586100 "2011-06-20T02:39:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-product-exist/586100/1 "2011-06-20T02:39:32Z")
I want a cooler, to take camping, that I can throw in the lake, since I don’t have access to a steady supply of ice. I realize I could MacGiver something, (I’m imagining a large plastic drum with a removable lid and a water tight seal, on a rope. I could always add a weight to keep it from bobbing about on the surface.), but I was wondering if such a thing exists already. What’s it called? I’ve tried googling without luck. Anybody? ---
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-product-exist/586100/2 "2011-06-20T02:46:36Z")
[http://www.foodcoolers.net/KelsyusCoolers.html](http://www.foodcoolers.net/KelsyusCoolers.html) > **[Floating Coolers](https://hubpages.com/food/floating-coolers-2)** > > Floating coolers, floating beverage bars, and remote control floating coolers are the perfect accessory for the pool, beach, river, and lake trips. No need to leave your float or lounge to get a drink. Floating coolers are fun party accessories too. [http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order\_num=-1&SKU=14273620](http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=14273620) Something like those? (you’re welcome - I found the fishing bobber looking one at a store last year, and was entranced at the possibilities as well.) ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-product-exist/586100/3 "2011-06-20T02:50:59Z")
I appreciate the effort sincerely, but these are for keeping beer cool in your pool and require ice, as they bob on the surface. I’m looking to store, margarine, mayo, eggs, etc, by submerging them in the water. In a drumlike structure on a rope, was what I was imagining. Perhaps I should be thinking bag instead of drum, maybe heavy plastic? Off to google more! ---
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-product-exist/586100/4 "2011-06-20T03:03:52Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > I appreciate the effort sincerely, but these are for keeping beer cool in your pool and require ice, as they bob on the surface. > > **I’m looking to store, margarine, mayo, eggs, etc, by submerging them in the water. In a drumlike structure on a rope, was what I was imagining.** > > Perhaps I should be thinking bag instead of drum, maybe heavy plastic? Off to google more! In that case, wouldn’t a really large camping thermos suffice? Get those itty travel-sized condiment packages, and use a really big soup thermos. They’re designed to be liquid-tight, and usually made of metal, so they shouldn’t float\*, and most have handles on the side or top that could be fitted with a rope. [http://www.amazon.com/THERMOS-50-VACUUM-SEALED-LINER/dp/B001JT77KM](http://www.amazon.com/THERMOS-50-VACUUM-SEALED-LINER/dp/B001JT77KM) > **[Homepage - JH Studios](https://jhstudios.com/?imprinted=60_oz_thermal_insulated_wide_mouth_bottle_w_shoulder_strap&YMQOB-GZEDC=thermos&customized=branded)** > > Formamosmodelos ExitosasProsperasGanadoras Para ser la mejor debes trabajar con los mejores. En JH Studios nos enfocamos en brindarte respeto, privacidad y estabilidad Regístrate Conócenos Mejora tu estilo de vida y cumple tus metas. Tenemos una... [http://www.shopjavadaves.com/cart/product\_details.php?item\_id=4561](http://www.shopjavadaves.com/cart/product_details.php?item_id=4561) Those are 50 and 60 and 100 ounces respectively … maybe you could find larger ones? \*Even if they float, since they have handles, just use a rope with a weight on the end, as well as the thermos. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-product-exist/586100/5 "2011-06-20T03:07:55Z")
Y’know, I hadn’t thought of that, and it’s a really good suggestion. They’re durable, water tight, easily attached to a rope. This may solve the food issue, now something to hold the beer cans, hmmm. ---
**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-product-exist/586100/6 "2011-06-20T03:10:27Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Perhaps I should be thinking bag instead of drum, maybe heavy plastic? Off to google more! You could try one of those Space Bags things, but those require a vacuum to suck the air out and I’m guessing if you can’t make ice, you don’t have electricity. Maybe you can just attach a reqular cooler to an anchor on one handle and a floaty thing on the other so you can just haul it up when you need it? ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-product-exist/586100/7 "2011-06-20T03:37:42Z")
I’m a little confused. Is the water cold? Do you want to use the water as your source of cold, instead of ice? Then you don’t want a cooler or an insulated anything, or it will keep the cool out. You want a gallon ziploc with a rope tied around it. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-product-exist/586100/8 "2011-06-20T03:47:41Z")
I think you want something like a “[Pelican Case](http://www.pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=0500)”, you need something that seals airtight and then a shit ton of weight. These things aren’t cheap, they have to be air tight, water tight and crush proof due to the pressure. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-product-exist/586100/9 "2011-06-20T03:47:48Z")
Sorry, yeah I want the cold of the water to be the cooling agent. I don’t think a ziplock will with stand getting hauled in and out of the lake, but I think we’re on the right track. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-product-exist/586100/10 "2011-06-20T03:49:24Z")
You could also use a [dry bag](http://www.google.com/products/catalog?rlz=1T4GGLL_enUS387US387&q=dry+bag&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=4423379714243444036&sa=X&ei=FMP-TcGdCIbiiAKg8o2bBQ&ved=0CGgQ8wIwAQ#), less air to sink ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-product-exist/586100/11 "2011-06-20T04:02:02Z")
These are a great suggestion, though I’m not sure how I’d attach the rope. Plenty durable though, from the looks and easy on the wallet. I like. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-product-exist/586100/12 "2011-06-20T04:05:48Z")
The Pelican case is truly awesome, but might be more money than I was looking to spend. It also might be a little too large for me to handle. I wonder what it’s commonly used for? ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-product-exist/586100/13 "2011-06-20T04:13:36Z")
Pelican cases come in a variety of sizes from small wallet sizes for cameras, phones, and first aid kits to laptop seized cases, to really large cases for larger equipment, electronics and servers. They are used in a lot of outdoor industrial applications like mining and drilling. The military uses a lot of them. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-product-exist/586100/14 "2011-06-20T04:55:40Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > I want a cooler, to take camping, that I can throw in the lake, since I don’t have access to a steady supply of ice. > > I realize I could MacGiver something, (I’m imagining a large plastic drum with a removable lid and a water tight seal, on a rope. I could always add a weight to keep it from bobbing about on the surface.), but I was wondering if such a thing exists already. What’s it called? > > I’ve tried googling without luck. > > Anybody? I’m thinking it’s called “a five gallon bucket with a lid”. You don’t need insulation if you’re keeping it in a cool environment. Note that for any reasonably sized container, you’re going to need a lot of weight. If I’m interpreting Archimede’s principle correctly, a five gallon container is going to displace around 40 pounds of water. So maybe five 1 gallon buckets with screw lids and some 10lb weights might be a better way to go. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-product-exist/586100/15 "2011-06-20T05:03:20Z")
> [@Finagle](#): > > I’m thinking it’s called “a five gallon bucket with a lid”. You don’t need insulation if you’re keeping it in a cool environment. Note that for any reasonably sized container, you’re going to need a lot of weight. If I’m interpreting Archimede’s principle correctly, a five gallon container is going to displace around 40 pounds of water. So maybe five 1 gallon buckets with screw lids and some 10lb weights might be a better way to go. I’d be worried that if you actually managed to sink a 5 gallon bucket, the weight/pressure of the water on the sidewalls would deform it enough to pop the lid. It might be worth a ‘dry’ run first. How long are you planning to be out on the water for? If it’s only going to be a couple of hours I don’t see the problem with an Igloo cooler and loading it up before hand with ice. Also, you could use those blue icepacks, solid ice (fill half gallon milk jugs with water and freeze them) or dry ice, all of which would last much longer then ice cubes. ETA, the other thing I’d be worried about is that the lake water isn’t going to be all that cold. I think even if you just filled a regular cooler with your food/drinks and topped it off with ice, it’s going to stay colder then not using any ice and relying on lake water to keep everything cold for you. I’ve never had a problem with an Igloo cooler filled with ice, out in the sun all day keeping things cold. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-product-exist/586100/16 "2011-06-20T05:35:06Z")
take ziplock bags, put food in and squeeze out air as you seal bag, do as many as needed. take a 5 gallon bucket with lid, drill 1/2 inch holes in bucket bottom and sides (dozens). tie rope on handle. fill bucket with ziplock bags and put lid on. tie rope to tree. sink bucket. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-product-exist/586100/17 "2011-06-20T10:24:28Z")
[Bait bucket](http://www.etsy.com/listing/74809266/vintage-galvanized-steel-and-steel-mesh). You can not have mine, go find your own. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-product-exist/586100/18 "2011-06-20T10:59:42Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > [Bait bucket](http://www.etsy.com/listing/74809266/vintage-galvanized-steel-and-steel-mesh). You can not have mine, go find your own. The food would be a wee bit wet wouldn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-product-exist/586100/19 "2011-06-20T12:05:06Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > You could also use a [dry bag](http://www.google.com/products/catalog?rlz=1T4GGLL_enUS387US387&q=dry+bag&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=4423379714243444036&sa=X&ei=FMP-TcGdCIbiiAKg8o2bBQ&ved=0CGgQ8wIwAQ#), less air to sink Dry bags are great for keeping stuff dry on a boat, but I’ve never tried taking one under water. I’d definitely suggest some test runs on that one. \*Not saying it won’t work.. -D/a ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-product-exist/586100/20 "2011-06-20T13:00:19Z")
How cold is the water where you’re going? 60F / 15C water feels plenty cold on the hand (or 'nads!) , but storing mayo at that temp is a recipe for ptomaine, not for fun. Even though you’re a hardy Canadian, I strongly doubt you’re going boating in 45F / 7C water which is about the recommended temp for keeping refrigerated goods. A typical insulated cooler packed with plenty of ice or blue ice will keep pre-cooled food safer longer than immersion in 50F / 10C water will. Now \*if \*you’re really talking about early planning for some ice fishing next winter, I withdraw my objections. Assuming the water really is cold enough (\<45F / 7C), you want the water to touch as much of your food (containers) as possible. And you want as little insulation as possible. A plain old net bag or a chicken-wire fish/bait basket is ideal. It doesnt’ trap air and it securely holds your stuff. This will work for the things which are already in waterproof packages like a mayo jar. Eggs are in individual water-proof packages called egg shells, so there’s not much challenge there. A half-full tub of mayo will be a problem; the air wants out & the water wants in. One or two layers of ziplocks with as much air pressed out as possible will probably do the trick. Less air means better cooling and also less buoyancy. If the whole thing wants to float, add a brick or two; it won’t be that buoyant if you’ve wrapped things correctly. Hint: a full mayo jar sinks better than one 80% empty. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-product-exist/586100.md?page=2)