Making Block Ice for Camping: A Step-by-Step Guide
Summertime is upon us, and that means camping season. Whether you’re a full-time RVDer or you just like to escape reality for a few days, there’s nothing like getting away with family or friends and unplugging from the world—at least for a little while. But campers know that there’s more to camping than just pitching a tent and throwing some food on the grill. You’ve got to prepare for the weather, plan your meals, and most of all, make sure you’ve got enough ice.
The problem with regular ice is that it melts before you know it, leaving you with warm drinks and soggy food. And while you could buy bags of ice from the store, it’s much cheaper to make your own. That’s where block ice comes in. Block ice is created by freezing several gallons of water in a Styrofoam cooler. Because all of the water is frozen together in one large block, it can last longer than regular cubes of ice. Plus, you can use the ice to keep your food cold, create a makeshift bathtub or even use blocks of ice for your drinks.
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Follow along and we’ll show you how to make your own block ice for your next camping trip.
Step One – Gather Your Supplies
You’ll need a few things to make block ice. First, you’ll need a Styrofoam cooler. Make sure the cooler is clean and free of any debris and dirt. Also, you’ll need duct tape to keep the lid closed. You’ll also need a few 1-gallon jugs of water and a large capacity storage bottle.
Step Two – Fill the Jugs With Water
Fill the 1-gallon jugs with water and then set them in the cooler. For best results, place the jugs of water near each other so they will freeze together. Secure the lid with duct tape and then place the cooler in the freezer overnight.
Step Three – Wait
The cooler will need to stay in the freezer overnight to make sure all of the ice blocks freeze. If you have more time, leave the blocks in the freezer for a couple days to ensure they’re nice and solid.
Step Four – Storing Your Ice
Once the blocks of ice are frozen, you’ll need to store them somewhere. For better insulation, place the blocks into a large storage bottle and secure the lid with duct tape. Place the storage bottle in your cooler and then use the ice blocks as needed.
Making block ice for your camping trips is a great way to save money and have cold drinks and food. Not to mention, it’s an environmentally friendly way to keep your camping trips green. With a few simple supplies and a bit of planning, you can enjoy cold drinks and chilled food no matter how far away from home you go.
So the next time you’re camping, make sure you come prepared with the right type of ice. Remember, with a bit of preparation and a good cooler, you’ll always have a good supply of block ice whenever you’re near a cold spot. Make the most of your camping trips and create a cooler full of block ice.