The basic job of an ice box is to keep its contents refrigerated. They also preserve food items keeping them fresh and healthy. Ice boxes are known by several names like chillers, coolers or eskys. They are basically the same item with different names depending on which part of the world you're from. The best ice boxes in the market are made of UV resistant material, mostly fiber glass or plastic, and they are easily portable making them convenient for indoor and outdoor use. A good quality cooler will have hinges that fully support the lid without the need for ropes, great design and are durable.

The make general make up of a cooler is that it has an inner and outer layer made of plastic. Between the two layers is foam material which keeps the cold air in and prevents warm air from entering. The lid also has a seal to prevent the cool air from escaping.

Ice blocks, ice cubes or ice packs can be used inside the ice box to keep the contents chilled. The advantage of using an ice block in a cooler is that it can keep the foodstuff or beverages chilled for a longer period of time than ice cubes without thawing quickly. The period can range anywhere between five days and a week. The advantage of ice cubes is that they chill the contents faster while icepacks can last longer than ice cubes. This is because ice packs can be sealed with a gel which prevents the ice melting faster. You can also use dry ice in ice boxes made of UV resistant polyethylene.

Ice boxes come in a variety of designs and sizes. They can range from twelve liters up to twelve hundred liters in size. There are those ice boxes which are wheeled; others have straps for carrying while others have handles. In terms of sizes there are those which are for solo use by one person and they are generally small and easily portable while there are those which are huge with several compartments and they are for use by many people like for a family picnic.

Coolers can be used for various activities outdoors and indoors. For indoor use, an ice cooler can be used to chill drinks as you watch a game or movie. They can also be used in a place where there is no refrigerator or electricity as well as during blackouts to keep perishable foodstuff fresh. The uses for outdoors are numerous and varied. Cool boxes are used in fishing, hunting, picnics and camping. Another innovative use of these boxes is that they can be used to transport fresh produce from the market or grocery shop when the weather is hot.

No matter what use you put your cool box to, it's a highly reliable and practical item to own. A cooler can come in handy on various occasions and it's good to have one in the house. If well taken care of and cleaned an ice box can serve you for many years.