Bad thing about yeti....

[Tubby]

So tubby- you have over a $1k invested in coolers AND you own an ice machine.

You sir, are livin the dream!

its only money. u make it every day. plus you dang sure can't take it with you when you are gone. live it up!

I never said I paid retail for anything.

Yup Breezy, you can't take it with you... might as well enjoy it while we're here.

[Swampa]

Remember now, ANY of these "high dollar" coolers weren't designed to be opened and closed repeatedly. They're designed to create a seal and hold that seal, thus better ice retention.

I've got 3 25qt Yeti's, a 50qt yeti, a 90qt Brute and a 125qt Yeti.

The 25's are still a "daily" cooler. In other words, they need more ice daily.

The 50 is my "beer cooler". It'll go 2-3 days in 100º heat being opened and closed repeatedly.

My 90 and 125 are for hauling food and/or ice to the lease. They'll hold ice for 5+ days in 100º heat (in the shade) as long as they're only opened for access to ice maybe once a day (and the drain plug doesn't leak [see Brute thread])...

I have used the 125 for a beer cooler at the Diamond C. With 6 guys going in and out of it repeatedly for 2-3 days, the ice was melted come Sunday morning.

Remember, with ANY cooler you have to sacrifice some ice to get everything cold to begin with. Ice everything down the night before your trip. The next morning, drain the water and top off again with ice.

I'm glad I bought myself a 420# ice machine.

What ice maker did you get? That's my next step......

Any pros or cons?

[Tubby]

What ice maker did you get? That's my next step......

Any pros or cons?

I found a used Manitowoc 110v. 360# maker with a 420# bin. I shopped around for a while and did some research. From what I've read and been told, this is one of the best brands.

Pros: I have an endless supply of ice

Cons: I wish I would have bought one sooner.

[1TexasPatriot]

I found a used Manitowoc 110v. 360# maker with a 420# bin. I shopped around for a while and did some research. From what I've read and been told, this is one of the best brands.

Pros: I have an endless supply of ice

Cons: I wish I would have bought one sooner.

All I can say is awesome

[Swampa]

I found a used Manitowoc 110v. 360# maker with a 420# bin. I shopped around for a while and did some research. From what I've read and been told, this is one of the best brands.

Pros: I have an endless supply of ice

Cons: I wish I would have bought one sooner.

I have a couple of buddies that have that brand and they swear by it!

I'm looking for a used one as I can't justify a new one for my sporadic ice needs. If you don't mind me asking, where did you find yours?

My next dilemma is running a water line to my garage.....

[txtimetravler]

its only money. u make it every day. plus you dang sure can't take it with you when you are gone. live it up!

Absolutely right.

[Tubby]

I have a couple of buddies that have that brand and they swear by it!

I'm looking for a used one as I can't justify a new one for my sporadic ice needs. If you don't mind me asking, where did you find yours?

My next dilemma is running a water line to my garage.....

Found it in Mexia at a bar that had shut down. As far as the water line, I just installed a water hose "Y" at my spigot out back and ran a water hose to the filter for the ice machine in my carport.

Keep an eye out on craigslist, they pop up on there occasionally.

[Pablo Honey]

Just like a Subzero fridge.....

[tx07]

The dang lid is too tight! Not a very good beer cooler if you want in quickly.

Seriously, I have to unscrew the drain plug to vent the cooler to break the seal on the lid.

Differential pressure.

[Swampa]

Found it in Mexia at a bar that had shut down. As far as the water line, I just installed a water hose "Y" at my spigot out back and ran a water hose to the filter for the ice machine in my carport.

Keep an eye out on craigslist, they pop up on there occasionally.

Is the machine set up for a water hose or did you modify?

[Tubby]

Is the machine set up for a water hose or did you modify?

The filter inlet was already threaded for 3/4"

[1TexasPatriot]

The filter inlet was already threaded for 3/4"

I'm assuming it doesn't make you meter smoke?

[Swampa]

Easy enough!!

[Daniel75]

Good info here. I've learned I need $1000 worth of top of the line coolers, a 420# ice machine, and to spend all my money because I can't take it with me.

[Tubby]

I'm assuming it doesn't make you meter smoke?

Maybe $15-$20 a month extra in water and electricity.

Figure 8# bags of ice being $2.50 = 8 bags of ice. In the summertime, I carry my 50qt Yeti in the truck, I've got employees that get ice daily for their 3 work trucks, coolers and water coolers both. They were going thru $7.50 a day in ice per truck. X3 = $22.50 a day in ice just for the work trucks and tack on $2.50 in what I use a day = $25 worth of ice a day.

5 days a week = $125

1 month = $500 JUST IN ICE!!!

The ice machine cost me $1,500. It's paid for itself in the first 3 months and I've had it for 15 months. That's $6000 I've already saved.

In one day, I've saved more money than what it costs me a month to run it.