Fish transportation

The Black Pig · 07 June 2015, 10:07

Anyone got any ideas of a cool box type idea to keep fish fresh from a five hour car journey
I have got a 12 v cigarette type socket, most seem to keep at around 18 o below ambient temperature, I need more
Maybe an ice maker to pack ice around fish in a normal cool box
Can I get a decent fridge on 12v?

Mollers · 07 June 2015, 10:14

Fresh fish should always be packed in ice for best condition. Ask you local fishmonger for a suitably sized poly box and to fill it with ice. Pack the fish in the middle buried in the ice. Put something under the poly box in the car to catch any melt. As long as the car stays fairly cool, the ice will last for hours.

willk · 07 June 2015, 10:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

Fresh fish should always be packed in ice for best condition. Ask you local fishmonger for a suitably sized poly box and to fill it with ice. Pack the fish in the middle buried in the ice. Put something under the poly box in the car to catch any melt. As long as the car stays fairly cool, the ice will last for hours.

Maybe wrap a bit of cling film around the box too. Those fishmongers have a certain "aura" about them that your family might not appreciate for the next couple of months...

ShinyShoe · 07 June 2015, 10:34

How hots your car? If you are driving with AC on or windows down... Expect 21C so 18 below that is 3C which is colder than most household fridges... Beware they drink electrickery so parking up is an issue if for long periods.

A caravan fridge uses 240, 12 and gas. Absolutely guzzles 12v though. They have a (ahem) thermostat to adjust temp. Big in terms of size and not sure how you dissipate the heat.

We receive cold chain items at work shipped in 'fancy' coolboxes for up to 96hours. They are effectively made of kingspan boards lining a box about 60cm cubed. Then icepacks around the sides which are at -20C then a layer at 4C then the goods also at 4C then airspace taken up by packing chips. The right box with the right icepack will stay under 8C for 4 days unopened.

We use IceTec boxes in a simillar way which are used in the states by sea fishermen who fill to top with ice. They have a drain plug which I think they remove/loosen to prolong life. For us freezing is bad. But very possible with plenty of icepacks to keep at at least fridge temp for 5hours.

ShinyShoe · 07 June 2015, 10:38

Beware the cheap picnic box or the squdgy bags most seem to be air filled... Rather that insulating foam

treerat · 07 June 2015, 11:41

Pop into the local fish market and get a hold of a large polystyrene transport box, fill with ice and frozen bottles of water ( less mess), place in a suitable container to catch water spills, cover in silver foil blanket.

It'll stay cold for hours.

Mollers · 07 June 2015, 11:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Maybe wrap a bit of cling film around the box too. Those fishmongers have a certain "aura" about them that your family might not appreciate for the next couple of months...

I was 'in the trade' years ago. My 'Bizzy' partner and I once went straight from work to the flicks with a couple of chicks. There was a whole heap of air sniffing and whispering going on throughout the cinema.

willk · 07 June 2015, 11:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

There was a whole heap of air sniffing and whispering going on throughout the cinema.

Which team was doing the sniffing then?

kerny · 07 June 2015, 13:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

I was 'in the trade' years ago. My 'Bizzy' partner and I once went straight from work to the flicks with a couple of chicks. There was a whole heap of air sniffing and whispering going on throughout the cinema.

Fishy fingers maybe

Mollers · 07 June 2015, 14:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Which team was doing the sniffing then?

A bit of both, they were Cornish bints, one from trawler stock.

The Black Pig · 07 June 2015, 20:06

I'd kinda thought covering in ice was a good idea as this is what the professional guys do, I was hoping as a bloke for a gadget but maybe the poly idea with foil & wrapped in a bin bag seems ok, the last time I packed the fish with ice in a cool box it had melted by the time I got home & seemed to be room temp

The Black Pig · 07 June 2015, 20:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Black Pig

I'd kinda thought covering in ice was a good idea as this is what the professional guys do, I was hoping as a bloke for a gadget but maybe the poly idea with foil & wrapped in a bin bag seems ok, the last time I packed the fish with ice in a cool box but it had melted by the time I got home & it seemed to be room temp

Poly as in polystyrene

ShinyShoe · 07 June 2015, 20:17

Was the box cold or hot when you added ice? Was it an air filled void box

Pikey Dave · 07 June 2015, 20:21

We use a couple of camping Gaz extreme cool boxes for the boat, virtually indestructible, you can use then as seats & they will keep ice frozen for 24 hrs at 20 deg ambient. If you hunt around you can pick em up for around £30 at the end of the season. The Co-op sell ice by the bag & we usually pick a couple of bags up on our way out. Frozen bottles of water also work well, but remember to empty about a 1/4 out before you freeze 'em.

.....sh1t happens.......

The Black Pig · 07 June 2015, 20:22

The box was room temp, and I think it was only an air filled one, the surround cavity I presume

ShinyShoe · 08 June 2015, 00:49

Yip that sounds about right. Basically two Tupperware boxes inside each other and we expect them to keep things cold...

If you still have it I'd be tempted to try adding expanding foam to its cavity including the lid. Then get it cold before use... Some seawater would be a start...

Then cover the bottom with icepacks, fill with ice and fish. No air, ice packs on top, then lid.

jonp · 08 June 2015, 05:28

If you intend to do it regularly buy your self a cool box or bag, we have to ice our fish all time over here due to the hot temps. Frozen bottles are ok but can bruse the bigger fish we catch so crushed ice is best.

It can work out expensive to fill our biggest ice bag to chill down big fish like this broadbill my daughter caught Saturday night.

Jon

Nos4r2 · 08 June 2015, 08:16

I use one of these:-

Coleman - Coleman - party coolers - stackable coolers - 24 Can Party Stackerâ„¢ Cooler - Red

with 4 or 5 pre-frozen coolbox coolers in it.

As long as the fish is gutted as soon as it comes out of the water there doesn't seem to be any degradation. Sometimes it's 6 hours from hook to fork or freezer.

jumpinjack · 08 June 2015, 09:59

I bought an iceytek. These are brilliant. Put fish in with ice, will keep most of the ice frozen for two days.
Look at www.coolboxesuk.com for their range. Much better than the 12v ones, last forever and worth the investment

Budgie1 · 20 June 2015, 21:06

Know iceytek boxes are very good just haven't got room for one on my RIB, reckon one of these would fit in a pod http://www.coolboxesuk.com/shop-onli...-cool-bag.html anyone got one? any good?