Elements Collection - High Desert Wheeled Cooler - 125 qt

Frequently Asked Questions

• Where is the best place to put an ice pack in a cooler?

  The most effective placement for ice packs is on the bottom of the cooler.

  This strategy maximizes efficiency because cold air naturally sinks. Placing the ice at the base ensures that the cold temperature is distributed upward throughout the container, maintaining the lowest possible temperature for the longest duration, especially where it matters most, at the floor of the cooler.

• Can I use ice packs in a cooler instead of ice?

  Yes, you can successfully use ice packs in a cooler instead of traditional ice cubes, and they are often superior for maintaining cold temperatures over extended periods.

  Ice packs are formulated with freezing agents that possess different thermal properties than water ice, allowing them to stay frozen longer and maintain a more stable, consistent level of coolness. They also provide the crucial advantage of eliminating melted water, preventing items in the cooler from becoming soggy or needing constant drainage.

• Is My Cordova cooler made with food grade plastic?

  Yes. All plastic used in every cooler other than Obsidian is made from virgin material and is indeed food safe. Our Obsidian cooler is made with the same FDA-approved, BPA-free polypropylene as the rest of our Basecamp Class™ coolers, the material has simply been reground and remolded.

• Is It ok to use dry ice?

  Absolutely.If possible, isolate the dry ice by wrapping it in a towel or putting it in a box. Dry ice will freeze anything in direct contact with it. You can also use a combination of dry ice (frozen CO2) and regular ice (frozen H2O). We recommend dry ice on the bottom, ice on top of that, then your goods, and a final layer of regular ice on the top.

• How Can I optimize my coolers ice retention?

  There is an art to ice retention. Don’t just toss a bag of ice from the grocery store in your cooler and expect it to last a week. That won’t get it done. Put in the prep work and your Cordova cooler will absolutely perform as advertised. Here’s how to do it:

  • Freeze our Packice units solid ahead of time and use them as the base of your cold-keeping strategy. Yes, it’s like we’re trying to sell you more stuff, but they WORK and extend the life of cubed ice by 30%. A ratio of 10 qts of cooler capacity to 2 lbs of ice pack is decent. So, two two-pounders are good for the 20 qt cooler. Four four-pound Packice's will handle an 88 qt. When in doubt, use more Packice.
  • Unless it’s colder outside, bring your Cordova cooler inside 24 hours before you plan to pack it.
  • Fill the cooler with ice to bring the temperature of your cooler’s insulation down. This ice will melt relatively quickly as the insulation cools.
  • Drain the water and fill your Cordova cooler with Packice, your provisions, block ice if you have it, and then fresh cubed ice.
  • Use COLD ice. (Ice, like water, does vary in temperature. Ice that is dry to the touch, as opposed to wet and slippery, is colder and will last longer.)
  • Packice is the best, and block ice is preferable to cubed ice – it will last longer.
  • An ice to provisions ratio of 3:1 is ideal. Prechill provisions when possible.
  • Air is the enemy of ice retention. Fill the cooler up. If there’s extra space with all the ice and provisions packed and you don’t have any more ice, use towels, foam, anything that will take up space and hold the cold.
  • When in use, keep the lid closed and latched unless retrieving or returning provisions. Ice retention drops by about an hour for every minute the lid is wide open.

• Why aluminum handles?

  Try to pinch your hand between the handle and the cooler body. Now lift the cooler and see if it feels like you’ve got positive control.That’s why.As a bonus, the design isn’t just pretty, it’s functional – bottle openers are integrated into each side plate (another patented feature of our hard coolers).

• Why Rotational molding instead of injection molding?

  Rotational molding (roto molding) produces a cooler shell that is one seamless hollow piece. There are no glued joints in the body, so durability and performance are objectively superior to injection molded coolers. It is a more expensive, complicated, and time-consuming process, especially when done domestically (our factory is in Idaho), but we employ good people to make great coolers that will last a lifetime, and beyond.

• Why are your latches upside down?

  Why top-loader latches? Place our cooler in the bed of a pickup truck with the latches facing outward. Then, standing beside the truck, reach in and open the cooler. The reason will be immediately clear.

• What is a lid lock?

  The Lid Lock, a patented feature on the cooler body's top back edge, securely holds the lid open until intentionally shut. Our rotomolded lids, heavily insulated, alleviate concerns of accidental slamming, ensuring safety during use.

• Can I custom design my own wrap?

  Absolutely! We offer two ways to create a unique cooler design:

  • Use our website's custom lid graphic designer to personalize your cooler.
  • Contact our sales team at sales@cordovaoutdoors.com for full wrap customization.

  Custom coolers are perfect for events, company gifting, weddings, and personal branding. With a custom design, your cooler will never get lost in the crowd—and our in-house design team ensures a professional, eye-catching result that's as unique as your adventure.

• How long will it take to receive my collection cooler?

  Each collection cooler is made-to-order, crafted specifically for you. The customization process typically takes about 10 business days, from order to completion. Once your one-of-a-kind cooler is ready, we’ll ship it directly to your address.

• what are your cooler wraps made out of ?

  Our cooler wraps are made from premium vehicle-grade vinyl, specifically engineered for outdoor durability. This high-performance material isUV-protected,scratch-resistant, and professionally printed with industrial-strength inks to ensure your custom design remains vibrant and intact through any adventure. They don't just look good—they're a performance upgrade. We promise that your cooler will never get lost in the crowd!