Keeping things cold while you are outdoors

happycat · ‎09-18-2010

Do any of you have any bowls, or anything that you put food in to keep it cold? We are going to an outside event in the heat. We are all suppose to bring a dish. I have thought of foods that would be ok at room temp, but I'd like to bring potato salad or another dish that would need to be kept cold.

QVC has bowls that are suppose to do this, but the reviews I saw aren't great. Anyone have any ideas? Not really wanting to lug an ice chest, but I know that would be a possibility.

TIA

Deb665 · ‎01-07-2012

Could you get a larger container to fill with ice, cover that with plastic or foil, then nest your container dish in that? Covering the ice with plastic or foil would keep ice/water from getting your food dish.

hopi · ‎03-09-2010

@happycat

No longer will I eat or bring foods outside that need to be cold. Even mayo on sandwiches is enough get someone ill. There are many potato dishes that do not require refrigeration.

jannabelle1 · ‎09-12-2010

I love to make potato salad and take it to events, but I just wouldn't do it in this heat. One of the problems is that you don't know how long it will be sitting out or how long you can keep it cold enough. If I was attending an outdoor event in this heat, I doubt I'd even try potato salad if it was available. Maybe reconsider and make something that's safer and won't make you worry about it.

Mz iMac · ‎07-26-2014

"I'd like to bring potato salad or another dish that would need to be kept cold."

"Not really wanting to lug an ice chest, but I know that would be a possibility."

Personally, I wouldn't touch your food w/a 10 foot pole if not cooled in an ice chest!

Ice chests is the safest to keep food cold, especially potato salad. There are ice chests out there from small to medium sizes that you do not have to "lug."

"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."

happycat · ‎09-18-2010

@Mz iMac wrote:
"I'd like to bring potato salad or another dish that would need to be kept cold."
"Not really wanting to lug an ice chest, but I know that would be a possibility."
Personally, I wouldn't touch your food w/a 10 foot pole if not cooled in an ice chest!

Ice chests is the safest to keep food cold, especially potato salad. There are ice chests out there from small to medium sizes that you do not have to "lug."

Ok, point taken. I know QVC had a few things that were suppose to do a really good job of keeping things cold, but like I said before they didn't have great reviews, they seemed to not hold up that great.

If I take anything that needs cold, I will take an ice chest.

Eileen in Virginia · ‎08-25-2010

I got a 2-piece clear plastic bowl at Sur la Table a couple of years ago. You fill the bottom part with ice and put your food in the top part, which fits snugly ontop of the bottom. I’ve taken it to parties at our pool. It worked perfectly for the duration of the party and no one got sick.

Edited to add:

K46816, Set of 2 9-cup Thermal Hot & Cold Serving Bowls with Lids, $38.50, 4.1 stars with 14 reviews.

K46814, 15-cup Thermal Hot & Cold Serving Bowl with Lid, $27.50, 4.1 stars with 25 reviews.

ID2 · ‎06-25-2012

There are a lot of other foods to bring to a summer outdoor affair other than the dreaded potato salad. Choose something else.

"Pure Michigan"

In-x-s · ‎03-09-2010

If you have a couple bowls that will nest, fill the larger with water and the inner one inside weighted down and freeze. Then at the event just put your salad into the bowl inside. The solid ice in the outer will last quite awhile. This is assuming you would have it out for a meal not for the entire day.

novamc1 · ‎07-02-2015

Coolest-looking Idea I've seen for keeping food chilled at a cookout...........fill plastic-lined tin tubs with ice and set bowls of food on top of the ice. Or use a long planter box to hold several bowls.

The photo I saw displayed a long planter box holding bowls of potato salad, fruit salad and a pasta salad. Looked both rustic and practical.

I guess you could execute the same idea by filling any wide-mouthed ice bucket with ice and setting a bowl of food on top.

If you're worried about ice melting and bowls sinking in water, I guess the ice could be enclosed in plastic bags to make the ice last longer.

Or fill some lock-and-lock containers with water to create large blocks that won't melt so fast.