The Cost of Ice

[crazycarl]

We have a "Twice the Ice" in Oriental with fair prices on a bag or bulk cubes (dumps into your cooler).  However I like to use block ice when out for a couple days as it lasts so much longer.  Last year before a 2 day sail I found block ice at the Piggly Wiggly went up to $7.  I need at least 2 for the cooler.  $14 for ice!  Being a cheapy, I looked for and found an ice mold for less than $20. The blocks easily fall out of the mold when solid and after making 3 blocks it paid for itself.  Thought I'd share it here.

https://www.amazon.com/Ice-Block-Form-12-Lb/dp/B0CKDCZ7RN/ref=sr_1_14_sspa?crid=2EV6EZIMCWAT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.c0DdyW7LR1YlMTNp6KecuEkJPEVsUyM3lUF_9ePt0727toCT83M_sE2nwSLZeexoa9QssBSQ9R-XrCu99kyjAOSozNODzbVNbt65xdO7oAUFM1vAPGdfBSgREmbmjLvzeuKa7qmAJDK3mBY22aRKWS3Blaimv9vR2dWUkHKZba_JNs3kmjfmHnYUqQy3kB7QgSuoQwaPMRXgoKYMQ-90WnOoj-vqRr7H0gHQW_UXiyMbyaJ64z_0FzrcXztp_lQNWUwA0Kzz1kkgOm0q4w0GrLzd8UYcnsDdUUz4L7CSo2Y.orp7diSJhaOBzR72en3id4_nbEAeiMnwevCz-jLE7kk&dib_tag=se&keywords=ice%2Bmolds&qid=1738629494&sprefix=ice%2Bmolds%2Caps%2C118&sr=8-14-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&th=1

[Tim Gardner]

Chilling price!  I use a concrete paver mold in a figure 8, and stack em up.

[Mas]

We use study plastic jugs that we freeze ahead of time. The melted ice becomes fresh water in a ready to use container. If where a freezer is available, repeat the water to ice to water cycle if wished or simply use as additional fresh water supply. If ice, and not just refrigeration is desired, then the molds are the best bet! Don't forget the ice pick!

This past month we had snow always available and we still have some! No sailing here, XC skiing though!

[slode]

We save jugs from juice or whatever other cuboid shaped containers we use. Rinse, fill with water, and freeze.  This keeps the food cooler dry and provides fresh water as it melts.  Lasts for up to 6 days in our Otter cooler.

[crazycarl]

I do freeze small Gatorade bottles and use the water as it thaws. I also keep drinks in the bilge on a "shelf" above the bilge pump and transducer. When the ice blocks melt, the cool water runs into the bilge keeping the drinks cool. (I turn the pump off)

We also have flat square freezer packs I got from U of I hospital. They were in coolers used to transport body parts and blood. 

What I like about ice, is once it melts, it's gone and can be replaced. Once the cooler packs are thawed, they're useless until refrozen. On longer cruises, I don't have the space to store them. The Gatorade bottles are made stronger than water bottles, and once thawed and the water used, can be discarded in a recycling bin.

[brackish]

Yep, depends on your cruising profile.  I only do short these days, one to three days and the Cooler Shocks are perfect for that. I do usually bring a bag of cubes for drinks, sitting on top of the cooler shocks they last minimum of two days in warmer weather.  When I built my custom cooler in a drawer, I didn't even put a drain in it, there is never any water to get rid of. I did get a little mini 12V pump just in case, it has never been used.