What to Look for in the Best Patio Cooler
When you set out to look for a patio cooler that is perfect for your parties, a checklist of what it should look like is a must.
Defining the type of patio cooler that you think will serve you the best should be the first thing on your to-do list.
Type of Your Patio Cooler:
How do you decide which to bring home- a rolling, standing, or a bucket?
Let your guest list answer this.
If you mostly entertain large crowds, then a chest is better for you. Chest patio coolers are usually spacious enough to be able to satisfy a large group of guests.
Now, if you have a dedicated area for hosting parties, you can always go for a standing chest patio cooler to permanently adorn your patio.
However, purchasing the rolling variety is safer since it allows portability. You never know when you hit the roads, go camping, or take your friends on a fishing trip.
Even if you feel you strictly need it for your home, you may feel like hosting parties in different locations from time to time.
A rolling patio cooler like the BELLEZE Portable Rolling Ice Chest Cooler Cart will come handy in such a case.
For trips involving small groups though, a bucket is ideal. It is compact, lightweight, and portable.
Bucket patio coolers are also great for entertaining a select few in small patios and decks.
You wouldn’t want a large chest to engulf most of your limited space. Would you?
Versatile bucket patios such as Keter Pacific Cool Bar Outdoor Patio Furniture can also work wonders in a large entertainment area or a poolside.
If you host a versatile group of guests who belong to a mixed age group, you can place several Keter bucket tables over your party area, each with different kinds of beverages.
Capacity:
This again is best answered by your guest size and the size of your patio.
Where do you want to place your patio cooler? Is it a large area or a small one?
How large is your party usually?
For a small patio or backyard choose a small bucket patio cooler or a small to medium-sized chest patio cooler.
For a small gathering of friends, a bucket such as Keter Modern Cool Bar Outdoor Patio Furniture is good enough.
However if your guest list is larger than that but your patio is compact anyway, then go for a medium-capacity chest such as the Backyard Expressions Outdoor Beverage Cooler.
This one is spacious enough to entertain a generous crowd and, at the same time, will not engulf your entire space.
If you are used to hosting grand parties and space isn’t a problem, don’t hesitate to bring an 80 Quart capacity cooler such as the UPHA 80 Quart Rolling Outdoor Patio Cooler home.
Insulation:
Purchasing a patio cooler with good insulation is probably the best. This way, you won’t have to worry about your ice melting into ice and cold beverages turning into hot ones before your party ends.
Many patio coolers offer extended ice retention time like 12.5 hours, 36 hours, and so on. The insulated varieties are insulated in different ways.
We like the refrigeration insulation system. Giantex 80-Quart Cooler Beer Cart Outdoor Entertaining Rolling Party Steel Bar Bistro Beverage Cooler Cart provides just that.
Details:
Hunting down the details is the fun part of shopping for a patio cooler. Here is the checklist that we follow:
Does that patio cooler we are eyeing have
- A lid?
- Lockable wheels?
- A drain spout?
- A bottle opener?
- A cap collector?
- A low shelf as additional storage ( in case of a chest cooler)?
- A lid that acts as a tabletop ( in case of a bucket cooler)?
Appearance:
The appearance of your patio cooler is really vital. It is here in the first place to entertain, remember?
Your patio cooler should complement your entertainment space and the mood of your parties.
Classic wicker such as Giantex 80 Quart Rattan Rolling Cooler Cart can add elegance to your patio or deck, whereas a zesty Outsunny 80 QT Rolling Cooler Ice Chest on Wheels will make your poolside look fun and whimsical.
A vintage look such as one that Permasteel PS-203F1-PEPSI-AM 80 Quart Portable Rolling Patio Cooler is pretty attractive too.
FAQs About Patio Coolers and their Solutions
01. How can I protect my patio cooler from weathering?
Most great patio coolers are made of weather-resistant materials. Even then it is a good idea to keep them covered when not in use.
Patio cooler covers are available for sale and come in all sizes. Another great idea is to move your patio cooler indoors during harsh weather conditions.
02. Does the BACKYARD EXPRESSIONS Outdoor Beverage Cooler need to be assembled?
Yes, the Backyard Expressions wooden patio cooler comes in pieces and requires the user to assemble it.
03. Could a chest patio cooler be used to serve ice creams outdoors?
If the temperature outdoors is not too hot, you can use a chest patio cooler to serve ice creams without any issue.
04. Is Giantex Outdoor Rolling Cooler magnetic?
Yes, the external surface of the Giantex Rolling Cooler is magnetic.
05. What is the height of a Keter Pacific Cool Bar Outdoor Patio Furniture?
When fully extended, a Keter Pacific Cool Bar is 33’’ in height and when the table is down, it is 22” in height.
Conclusion:
Be it with pool parties, house warmings, birthday blasts, or simply a hearty conversation on the patio, we love to entertain our favorite people outdoors. This craving magnified during our homebound days of 2020.
The best patio cooler could be just the icebreaker you need once friends start knocking at your door once again.
Better be prepared with some chilled beer bottles now!
