Big enough for a couple of roe?The big blue Coleman one works for me.
This is what I have. It has kept a carcase cool in the height of summer for 4 days, topping up the frozen bottles inside periodically. I can fit 2 good size sika inside. Trick is to stick your frozen bottles inside a few days prior. Also add salt to your water bottles and only fill half way.
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Igloo MaxCold Large 165 Quart 156 Litre 280 Cool Box | eBay
Capacity: 156L (165QT), holding 280 x 12oz cans.www.ebay.co.uk
trying to see how only filling the bottles up half way would assist in keeping things cool? likewise the salt?This is what I have. It has kept a carcase cool in the height of summer for 4 days, topping up the frozen bottles inside periodically. I can fit 2 good size sika inside. Trick is to stick your frozen bottles inside a few days prior. Also add salt to your water bottles and only fill half way.
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Igloo MaxCold Large 165 Quart 156 Litre 280 Cool Box | eBay
Capacity: 156L (165QT), holding 280 x 12oz cans.www.ebay.co.uk
Water expands when it freezes, so filling a bottle half way is better that filling to the brim and having it burst.trying to see how only filling the bottles up half way would assist in keeping things cool? likewise the salt?
Im lucky as 1 ground I have access to a chiller. So its a case of keeping it cool on the 5 hour drive home.Do you hang your carcasses outside for a bit or just straight into the cooler when shot?
Trying to get my head around logistics of pm stalk, camping, am stalk then 2hr drive home in warm weather (assuming something shot in the evening, could be 16hrs or so before I get it to the chiller).
regarding the bursting that makes total sense - regarding the salt addition, laws of thermodynamics would advise to leave it out and the ice will last longerWater expands when it freezes, so filling a bottle half way is better that filling to the brim and having it burst.
Salt seems to slow the thawing process great when you have several hours travelling like I do.
Only on the Stalking Directory would I expect to find someone quoting thermodynamics when wanting to freeze water bottlesregarding the bursting that makes total sense - regarding the salt addition, laws of thermodynamics would advise to leave it out and the ice will last longer
If you really need it cold for a good while then spending the cash on a good ice box is worth it - they are often insualted with aerogel which is amazing stuff. Ice will last for 5 days to a week in 25deg external temps.
I stalk about an hour from where I live and can often carry on stalking for 4 hours or more at a time. I find the Wickes/Homebase black storage boxes great as a roe box (had 4 in one once but not recommended for more than 2) but I took the lid off a 12v electric cool box and let it into the lid of the deer box. It’s not a fridge but it supplies chilled air sufficient to aid the cooling down of the carcass inside whilst stalking or driving home. Saves the faff with freezing bottles and remembering to take themIgloos are very good but expensive.
The more coolie boxes or frozen water bottles the better. Your carcass needs to cool well initially too.
it will stay warm for some hours in the fur. Best to hang it in the shade with a breeze.
Midsummer Roe are the most difficult. They attract midges and flies like magnets.
Sometimes you are best jointing it, then you can use a smaller insulated box.
This box is useful, fly proof, creepy crawlie proof. from Wickes, Cherry Orchard Garden Centres about £16

