Polar Ice Tubes

[05Kingquad700]

Saw an article on how to make "Polar Ice Tubes" on the web today. Don't seem like a bad idea. Basically you use PVC to make a tube, sealed on one end, fill it no more than 88% with water, seal the other end and freeze. Keeps melted ice water from your cooler, and you can customize them to your cooler. Pretty neat idea, I thought.
You can read the article here.
http://www.sheltonproducts.com/Coolertips.html








Getting ice is always a problem or inconvenience. This will show you how to make Polar Bear tubes for your cooler. These modification are to help you keep your fish fresh and chilled while saving money on ice and worrying about where to find ice when you go fishing. The cooler is shown with a false bottom to keep your fish from laying in a pool of water or blood while you are out fishing, especially should you purchase additional ice. The modification includes a strap for keeping your cooler safely closed while in transient with out the lid blowing open. The setup includes Polar Bear tubes made from 2 inch PVC pipe with standard end caps cut to fit your freezer space available to freeze the tubes.



Safety strap of 2 inch webbing with quick release buckle using screws to attach to cooler.




First measure your freezer space to see what is the maximum length your tubes can be and see what your maximum cooler length is so you can custom fit your Polar Bear tubes. Make Polar Bear tubes from 2 inch PVC pipe available at your local hardware store. Includes a 20 foot 2 inch PVC pipe end fittings and PVC glue. When assembling, fill with water but not full (88% maximun) as you will need a buffer space for expansion so you wont bust the Polar Bear tube when freezing. Keep everything clean in case you need these Polar Bear tubes as an emergency water supply. Glue end cap on one end of Polar Bear tubes and let it setup for a hour. Fill with water to 88% and glue on other end cap. Keep it vertical so that cap can set with out being in the water.


I made 6 Polar Bear tubes for my big cooler that are 21 inches each. Make as many Polar Bear tubes you like.

[05Kingquad700]

Re: Polar Ice Tubes



False bottom to prevent fish laying in blood, or water should you add addition ice.





False bottom made by attaching 2 pieces of 3/4 inch PVC pipe to a plastic sheet. Custom fit to cooler bottom. Wood not recommended.


Polar Bear tubes. These are 21 inches as that the maximum length that my garage side by side refrigerator/freezer will take. Hopefully yours may match your cooler length.
Ok lets go catch some fish.





Polar Bear tubes. Custom fitted for the lunch cooler box.

[wiiawiwb]

Re: Polar Ice Tubes

Very clever......

[Mike]

Re: Polar Ice Tubes

Somebody is thinking clever. Of course, some folks freeze water bottles and use them for ice, then drink the water. Is there and advantage of using the polar tubes over doing that? Would adding salt to the water in the polar tubes allow the water to get colder than if it were plain water?

[MacGyver]

Re: Polar Ice Tubes

... some folks freeze water bottles and use them for ice, then drink the water. Is there and advantage of using the polar tubes over doing that?

That was pretty much my first thought. Unlike milk and drink bottles full of ice, the thick PVC and end caps take up space, meaning less ice. I also imagine they aren't as cold due to the thickness of material.

[tplife]

Re: Polar Ice Tubes

The tubes will be just as cold, as the ice will interact with the surface area of the solid and transfer heat. But like drink bottles full of ice, or a brine solution (salt water) the ice will melt faster in the presence of liquid rather than solid or gas. I suppose it comes down to what you want to achieve - dry fish, fast chilling of beverages, or long-lasting ice.