The latest Techni ice sheets - any good?

[LB]

Have search the forum for comments on techni Dry Ice Sheets, but most mention seem to be a couple of years ago. It appears that they have made changes to them during that time and I was just wondering if any has had any experience with them more recently?

Currently use 2lt blocks of ice (frozen in ice cream containers). These only last a couple of days in the Drinks exky (just a cheap ice box stlye from woolworths) about 5 days in our tropical ice box.

Tried freezing 2ltr drink bottles but last no where as long as the 2ltr block shaped ice.

They claim that the ice sheets will last 40% longer than ice, which in theory is 4 days for us which would be perfect for the long weekend camps if its true.

A penny for your thoughts!!!

LB

[KingBilly]

Don't think all that much of them.  They need to be frozen down to -18 for a couple of days and last OK but not much different to block ice.  In fact I reckon very similar.  If you need to refreeze them properly it takes a couple of days.  If you just whack them in the freezer overnight, they are no better than party ice.  It is recommended to use one sheet on top of your esky (which keeps the cold air in and the hot air out when opening the lid).  You can achieve the same thing with a thin piece of polystyrene foam.  Also when not using them, they weep fluid which is sticky.  PITA to store out of the freezer.  Just my opinion but wouldn't be bothered except they came free with the esky.

KB

[Bird]

the only way to find out is to buy and try yourself.

I got some 2-3yrs ago with an ice box, and they leaked sticky Shit everywhere and didn't work much

but there are other threads with people who think they are better than finding a 40 ton gold bar.

[BrindiCruiser]

I like having them. Pleased that they came with the esky. But they are not amazing.

[Fun Police]

We use them for the kids lunch boxes to keep stuff cold.

They work well for that.  Probably last about 20 times or so before they get a bit ratty

[Blackant]

I only use them to keep any fish I catch in the kayak.
I've vacuum sealed a few sheets. Soaked them in water to get them to swell up, pat dry with paper towel then sealed. No problem with all that sticky crap.

Cheers

[liney]

I find them bloody useless but the esky is awesome. Lucky it's the esky that I was after.

[Oddy]

We got ours 6 months ago. No sign of any sticky stuff leaking out of them. Before swelling up, the contents feel like a powder, so maybe they have changed how they are made.  I like them better than large blocks of ice because of their flexibility - the bubble sheets bend around corners and things and give more options on how the cooler is packed.   A sheet or two will not last long - it isn't magic - the more cold stuff (ice, Techni-Ice sheets) you put in, the longer things will last cold, but the less food/beer you can keep cold!   We have settled on 4 sheets, pre-cooling the cooler with a couple of 2L plastic containers of ice the night before, and it lasts about 3 days quite cold (depending on outside temp of course).  As others have said, the colder you make them (not just -4C, but colder if possible) the better.  And the lack of any water sloshing around (which can happen even if your ice is in "sealed" plastic containers) is a big factor.

Cheers
Oddy

[KingBilly]

Same formula.  If you think about it, they come flat and dry.  You have to soak them to get them to swell so obviously the membrane is porous.  Keep them frozen and no sticky mess.  Thaw them out and leave them on a bench for a few days and they start to slowly leach sticky stuff.  Not much but enough to make a mess on the bench.

And yes, their big advantage is no water in the bottom of the esky.  But I still wouldn't pay for them.

KB