I wanted to help and share info for you to get more out of your cooler.

Separate your drinks and food.  We use two ice chests while camping.  One for food (go into it 3 times a day) and one for drinks (go into it 20 times a day)  The food ice chest holds ice better since it is closed most of the time.

Condition your cooler!  Our food ice chest is a Coleman 6 Day Cooler and the first applied ice melts within a day and then it's conditioned and the next ice applied last for several days.  Many people freeze 1/2 gallon water jugs about 80% full and put them in the cooler for a day or two before the trip to condition the cooler.  Cheaper than buying that first applied ice that doesn't last long.

Out of the Sun.  Store the cooler in the shade or cover with reflextics or a blanket it insulate.

Hints for Using Your Cooler
For best performance, always pre-chill food and drinks.
Two six-packs or one gallon of liquid will use approximately 2.5 lbs. of ice just to cool from room temperature.  So plan ahead and cool off everything before you head out.  You can even empty a few trays of ice into the cooler to pre-chill its interior.

Put the ice in last.
Cold air travels down, so if you want your beverage well chilled, load cans and bottles first, then cover with ice.

Do not store coolers in hot location.
When storing coolers, avoid hot places such as the garage or the trunk of a car.  If this is unavoidable, bring the cooler inside at least 24 hours before use.

Keep cooler out of the sun.
Ice lasts up to twice as long when the cooler is in the shade.

Choose cube or block ice.
Use cube ice to quickly cool food and drink, block ice to keep it cold longer.

Don’t drain cold water.
Recently melted ice keeps food and drinks cold.  Melted ice water preserves ice better than empty airspace.

Close lid quickly after opening.
Do not leave the lid open longer than necessary.

Use separate coolers.
Use one for beverages you’ll want frequently, another for the bulk of the food.  The latter will keep ice longer because it will be open less frequently.

Protect perishable foods.
Place perishable foods like meat and dairy products directly on ice.  Sealed plastic containers will keep food dry.

Use dry ice to keep food frozen.
Place the dry ice on top of the food. Be sure that the dry ice is wrapped in heavy layers of newspaper.  Do not let dry ice come in direct contact with the interior liner or your hands.

Cleaning Your Cooler

Clean the inside and outside.
Clean the inside with a solution of mild soap and warm water, especially before first use.  To remove tough stains, use baking soda and water to clean the inside.

Remove odors with a diluted solution of chlorine bleach and water.
If odor persists, wipe the interior with a cloth saturated with vanilla extract, then leave the cloth in the cooler overnight.

Always air-dry the cooler with the lid open before storing.
Turn the cooler on its end and open the lid to allow it to air dry.  Avoid doing this in direct sunlight as the excessive heat can damage the cooler’s insulation.