No More Ice Bags or Blocks Needed on the Playa

[CaptainNemoOfTheNautilusX]

That is a valid question, 'Why not just use the frig or freezer to store all of the cold food?" We might indeed end up using them that way, but I was thinking of using this application to service several coolers for multiply peoples food. Since this will be a first time testing of the freezer on the playa, I don't want to rely on it for all food storage until its proven viable. Living off "the grid" is wonderful and if getting ice bags works for some of you then please have fun doing so. I've always found waiting in line for ice a chore or then for some reason not getting ice when needed for what ever logistics issue to be a concern I'd rather not deal with on the playa. I'm proposing an idea that some could use if they have access to reliable electricity and want to try it. I also realize there is an obvious cost issue to purchase a freezer unit that would prohibit others from trying this out. This application is not for everyone at BRC.

[seantildawn]

[quote="Playa Tom"]Compare the cost of buying the freezer and the cost of running a generator or the cost of solar panels to the cost of a few blocks of ice at arctica. Think about how much work it is to run a generator and to drag a freezer out to the playa and you may decide it is easier to make some new friends in the line at Arctica.[/quote]

Bingo.

That little freezer will be totally inefffective when the ambient temp is way up high. All the opening and closing. Forget it. I do not know what line everyone is talking about anyway. 8 years on the Playa and I have rarely waited more than a few minutes. Arctica is always quick and easy. Going there is not a hassle, it's an event.

After a 3 year break for me, I hear there is ice available in the wings of the city. That's great! More of a reason to leave the mini-freezer at The Mart.

[Boijoy]

I read on another thread sometime back a gentleman was saying that he uses a large cooler with dry ice for the same purpose. He used it to freeze water bottle for the coolers. he said the dry ice lasted him the full week. seemed kinda reasonable.

[The Bee]

I bought a used propane fridge years ago. The freezer box was pathetic and needed to be defrosted every few days. I finally sold it to some guy living off the grid. Newer more expensive propane fridges probably are more efficient.

Last year at Burning Man we froze about 8 one-gallon jugs of water and kept them in a well-insulated cooler. As needed, put one of the frozen jugs in another cooler that has your food and drinks. When it thaws, use the water and replace it with another frozen jug. It worked for us for most of the week. It's a technique that is well-documented here on e-playa and thanks to you folks who pioneered and shared.

I prefer to focus my efforts on insulation without the annoyance of relying a generator. In any event, try to minimize opening your freezer. Maybe only open it at night.

[CaptainNemoOfTheNautilusX]

Hey thank you all for the advice. Picked up the freezer today looks great and compact and has a lockable door (bonus). This application wont work for everyone as I said before but think it will work fine for our needs. See you all out on the playa and have a great burn everyone!

[gyre]

2 liter drink bottles work fine.

There are australian propane fridges.

There is norcold and Dometic.

Some are made for harsh conditions and have high recovery.
Don't forget the 12 volt compressor models.

Recovery varies and is rated in temperature change.

[virgo]

I have read all the FAQ's, the new burner list, etc....no one talks about how much the ice is!! please, please share!
thanks!

[CaptainNemoOfTheNautilusX]

The freezer worked out even better than we expected!
1) We never had to go get ice freeing up valuable time and some $
2) Never had to drain unsanitary cooler water. The coolers stayed dry saving time and effort and maybe avoiding some sickness.
3) Post playa clean up was easier.
4) Always had ice cold water to drink on the playa.
5) No food spoilage and the food stayed colder than before.
The 3 cu model was the best choice as it had drawers that were easy to remove and take to the appropriate cooler to swap out the ice bottles for water bottles.

[Oldguy]

Artica ice prices for 6 lb. cracked and 10 lb. block ice was 3 dollars. A six pack of cracked ice was 15 dollars. I bought a bag Tuesday and one Friday to put in my drinking water Igloo cooler. 6 bucks to keep my water cold all week. I suppose I could have iced the beer I gifted, maybe next year if I have the cash...

I brought 10 two liter bottles of frozen water from home. I drank 4 six packs of V8, 1 case of Pepsis, and I gifted 2 cases of beer in 8 days, plus I drank water 20 plus liters. I ate 1 can of hash, 4 cans of Spagettios c meatballs, 16 slimjims, a gifted cookie, a commisary boxed breakfast on Sunday, 16 energy bars, a gifted red vine, 2 gifted lollipops. After 8 shifts in Center Camp, I drank 8 lemonades.

I think I lost about 10 lbs. of water weight over the week. And I still got a fever blister on my upper right lip. I wasn't hungry at all, but I sure wolfed down that gifted breakfast on Sunday friom my boss at Center Camp Coffee Bar.

I used my pedal car once to go the 2 miles or so out to the airport Monday evening to work and back. The rest of the week I walked or used the Omnibus. I never even unlocked my Schwinn or aired its tires. I worked and rested this year, I only went out a few hours on Thursday and Friday evenings till 11 pm. I took the Artery Tour Friday, and went to the 2 burns Saturday and Sunday nights.

Oh, I almost forgot the grilled zucchini and peanuts, the three chainsaw margeritas, the rootbeer float and chocolate sunday, and the sliced deep fried turkey c mashed potatoes and gravy, and that salty licorice that Danish guy gave me. I think that's it, consuming wise...