Gidday JT - Thanks for getting this thread back on track. Let's get sharing those camping tips.
My contribution also relates to keeping things cool. For those who don't have an expensive esky, the performance of a cheapy can be improved in several ways:
1. Get a spray can of expanding foam and drill holes in the underside of the lid. Inject a SMALL amount of foam into each hole, until the lid is filled. Be careful to not overdo it 'cos the expanding foam can blow the lid up like a balloon.
2. Put a folded newspaper on top of the esky contents (under the lid) to further improve the insulation of the lid.
3. Get some foil insulation and make a cover for the esky. This helps especially if the sun gets on the esky.
4. Before I forget - keep the esky in the shade.
5. Use block ice rather than crushed or party ice. Better still, make your own by freezing water in 3 litre milk bottles. Make sure the milk bottle is clean, and you can drink the cold water as the ice melts.
6. Freeze as much of the contents as you can before you pack the esky.
Using these methods I hve kept the contents cold in a conventional cheapish esky for 5 days in hot December conditions. In winter, I reckon that it would be 7 days +.
Mike