Camping Cooler

[mullet]

I'm taking a keg to the cabin this weekend, and I'm looking for a way to keep it cool-ish. It's not going to be sweltering here, I live pretty far north. I've decided on some kind of a garbage can/insulation/ice/water setup. My question is what would be the most effective way to use the insulation?

I saw a thread on here where someone just wrapped some silver insulation directly around the keg, but I was thinking some active way of keeping the beer cold (ice) would be good.

So, opinions, should I put the insulation away from the keg and fill the space in between with ice, like this:

Or should I put the insulation directly around the keg, and fill the remaining space with ice, like this:

Or I guess I could even put the insulation on the outside of the can? I'm sure it probably won't make a whole lot of difference either way, but I thought maybe someone on here would have some experience with this kind of a setup.

Thanks in advance!

 

[bucfanmike]

my vote is insulation against the inside of the can, then ice between the insulation and the keg. That is what I do and it works well for a weekend

Mike in Duluth

 

[HSM]

Choice #1.

 

[RogerMcAllen]

Ice goes in the middle, otherwise you'll be insulating the beer from the ice. You might also want to think about cutting out an insulating bottom and lid. Even a few layers of cardboard would be good.

Also, think about putting your ice/keg in a heavyish garbage bag so that your insulation does not get wet.

 

[TomSD]

my vote is insulation against the inside of the can, then ice between the insulation and the keg. That is what I do and it works well for a weekend

Mike in Duluth

Yup, that is your best bet. You want to insulate the can so the ice lasts longer.

There are a couple cooler conversions that seem to hold up pretty well through camping trips and whatnot. I would imagine one of those 10 gallon water coolers would fit a keg pretty well. That with a mini CO2 for paintball and you have yourself a portable party.

 

[mullet]

Thanks for the speedy replies! That is pretty much the answer I expected, but like I said, I had seen a picture on here where someone just wrapped a keg in this stuff. I guess they might not have been using ice.

As for a water cooler, I bet that would be even better, yeah, but at the moment $30-ish for the can and insulation is definitely cheaper than a new cooler, since my mashtun is a long rectangular one.

For the Bottom, I can probably get some cardboard, maybe wrap it in a layer of tinfoil? And for the top, I have most of a can of sprayfoam around that's just itching to get used for something. I could just shoot that all over the inside of the lid after I cut some holes for the beer line to come out. Or would more of the shiny silver stuff be better for that?

 

[mosquitocontrol]

"I would pick #1, with a modification. line the inside and bottom of the insulation with a few heavy duty garbage bags to prevent water from going all over. Hopefully (if there are no holes/leakes) it will prevent insulation from getting wet and increase the efficiency of it.

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

Why not take two kegs?

I recently found that a 3 gallon keg fits quite nicely into a 5 gallon Igloo water cooler. I'm working on my old MLT now to convert it to a single keg "stealth" kegerator.

 

[tarponteaser]

The reflectix is a radiant heat barrier. I've used it to make cooler covers to make then more efficient and also made panels to place on to of the bunkends of a popup to keep it cooler in the Florida Summer.

I would advise making a cover for the exterior of the can to reflect the heat away from the surface. Make a hood for the top to slip over the set up for additional protection.

Camp On!

 

[DodginBUIs]

OP, (or anyone else that knows) what kind of insulation is that wrapped in there? I'm using a garbage can for a kegerator on the sandbar in the Florida Keys (hot as hell) this weekend and I will be headed to home depot to find some insulation soon. thanks.

 

[Chello]

If you have an extra sleeping bag, wrap it around the outside of the garbage can. You will be amazed as how long the ice will last.

 

[mullet]

I'm really not sure of the brand name or even the name for the stuff I have in there, it's been so long. But it did come from a Home Depot, so you should be able to find it.

 

[kpr121]

Its called Reflectix. Last time I was at HD, they didnt have it (I hate the local HD, never have what I need). Lowes does carry it as well though.

 

[DodginBUIs]

HD didnt have it, and I didnt catch this last post in time to hold off and check Lowes, so I went with some foam board cut into strips to line the trash can and shot great stuff in the little gaps in between each strip. I'm going to give it a shot and im optimistic as I dont need to keep it cold very long and I'll load the trash can with ice before we leave the dock. Im leaving the PVC tap tower I made uninsulated, i only have a short 2' beer line...

 

[trl2112]

I recently found that a 3 gallon keg fits quite nicely into a 5 gallon Igloo water cooler. I'm working on my old MLT now to convert it to a single keg "stealth" kegerator.

Hey Cpt,

Does the 3 gallon fit with the lid on?

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

Hey Cpt,

Does the 3 gallon fit with the lid on?

Not at first. I had filled the lid with expanding foam, and it had "bulged" down a bit. I had to cut the plastic and carve the foam so the disconnects would fit.

 

[Jaysus]

You wouldn't happen to know anyone with a jockey box you could borrow, do you?