Last Updated on February 15, 2022 by Tom
The Best Cooler For Construction Workers Reviews, Tips, and Buying Guides
If you’re looking for the best lunch cooler for construction workers, you’ve come to the right place. Construction workers have a job that is often dangerous, hard, and labor-intensive with long hours. One reason for this is the lack of proper food on the site. It is not uncommon for construction workers to purchase processed meals from nearby stores or vending machines. However, if they do bring packed lunches then those prepared sandwiches and salads can easily become smushed and warm in many lunch bags.
If you are a construction worker, and you know that it is important to have a good lunch cooler. A quality lunch cooler will keep your food cold and fresh all day long. It is also important to find a good lunch cooler that fits your needs. There are many different types of lunch coolers on the market, so it can be difficult to choose the right one.
Here, we’ll provide you with reviews of some of the best cooler for construction workers on the market, as well as tips for choosing the right one and buying guides to help you make your purchase. Whether you’re in need of a small cooler for taking snacks on short trips or a large one that can keep food cold all day long, we’ve got you covered. So, what are you waiting for? Check out our recommendations below!
Top Rated Construction Worker Lunch Box Amazon Compared
What Is A Lunch Cooler?
The best work cooler is a personal cooler that has many different uses. Soft-sided and hard-sided versions are available. Soft-sided coolers are usually made of nylon or neoprene, while hard-sided coolers usually have rigid plastic sides and lids. The basic idea of the cooler is to keep food cold for an extended time period. These insulated bags come in many sizes and colors, such as red, blue, green, pink (more feminine), camouflage (for hunters), etc… There are even special designs including ones that have a separate compartment for bottles or cups. Cooler brands include YETI, Coleman, Grizzly, Igloo, Polar Bear Club.
Some people use these bags for outside activities such as hunting, fishing, boating, and camping. Hunters use them to store their kill in order to bring it home without it spoiling. Fishermen use them to keep their catch fresh until they can clean and cook the fish. Boaters use them instead of ice chests because they don’t add any extra weight when rowing or trolling for fish. Campers often put perishable foods in coolers so that when they stop for a day hike, the food will stay cold and is ready for lunch or dinner when they return at the end of the day.
Reviews of The 7 Best Lunch Cooler For Construction Workers in 2022
Here are the top-rated cooler for construction workers to buy.
Top 1. Klein Tools 55600 Work Cooler
Klein Tools 55600 Work Cooler, with an incredible capacity, tops the list of the best lunch cooler for construction workers choices. This is a really well-made device with a wide range of applications. Klein Tool is a well-known brand in the United States that has been manufacturing hand tools for over 160 years, so you can feel safe utilizing their products.
This is a lunch box with a high capacity of up to 17 quarts, which can only be used to hold individual food and drinks but is large enough to serve a group. 18 cans can be stored in this product. It has a recessed cap that allows 1 L plastic bottles to be stored upright. This stainless steel hinged lid can be opened 90 degrees or 180 degrees, depending on your needs.
This item is lockable and has a convenient strap. It can keep your food cool and fresh for up to 30 hours, making it ideal for transporting throughout a long day at work. It’s also incredibly adaptable, as it may be used as a chair with a weight capacity of up to 300 pounds in addition to its storage purpose.
Pros
- Extremely large capacity up to 17 quarts,
- Can hold 18 cans
- The stainless steel hinge allows you to open it 90 degrees or 180 degrees depending on your needs
- Comes with a very handy strap
- For 30 hours, keep your food cool and fresh
- Bearing capacity up to 300 pounds
Cons
- The included strap is short and not sturdy
Top 2. Arctic Zone Zipperless Hardbody Cooler
The second product on our list of the best construction lunch box picks is the Arctic Zone Zipperless Hardbody Cooler. With nearly 34,000 Amazon ratings, this is a product with plenty of capacity and cooling power to satisfy any customer. The product is made up of two parts: an outside cloth bag and an inner hard plastic hardbody. It also comes in a variety of colors, including Process Blue, Blue, White, and Moss.
This device allows you to store 16 cans at a time and keeps ice for two days. Deep Freeze High-Performance Insulation with radiant heat barrier and a combined three-layer ColdBlock sole provide remarkable cold retention. A revolutionary “flip-open” Zipperless cover allows you to swiftly get food inside while maintaining heat.
The Rhino-Tech exterior has a durable, water-resistant, and easy-to-clean construction. SmartShelf outperforms other goods by separating beverages from soft meals, preventing sandwiches and other soft items from breaking apart. The Smartshelf can easily create a huge compartment if you wish to use the full liner. The Backsaver shoulder strap is robust and padded, allowing you to efficiently ease muscle strain while wearing it.
Pros
- Come in a variety of colors, including Process Blue, Blue, White, and Moss
- Store 16 cans at a time and keeps ice for two days
- A revolutionary “flip-open” Zipperless
- Deep Freeze High-Performance Insulation
- SmartShelf outperforms other goods by separating beverages
- A comfortable Backsaver
Cons
- If not properly cared for, the plastic lining might easily shatter.
Top 3. YETI Roadie 20 White Cooler
While the two products listed previously have a low price, the YETI Roadie 20 Cooler is the best lunch cooler for construction workers at a moderate price. YETI is a well-known cooler brand that has been around since 2006. It also offers a diverse choice of coolers in various sizes and uses, ensuring that you can trust the products from this firm. The YETI Roadie 20 Cooler is no exception to this rule.
This is also a product that comes in a number of hues, with 5 eye-catching trendy colors to pick from. It has an extra-thick wall that insulates up to two inches, allowing it to stay ice-cold for up to two hours longer than ever before. The walls and lid are insulated with commercial-grade polyurethane foam, which is pressured to keep your ice cold. The device has a convenient drainage hole that makes cleaning it after use much easier.
This device has a silicone-coated handle that makes it easier to grip while traveling, but it is not as practical as the strap designs. There are two incredibly strong locks on it as well. T-Rex Lid Pins made of high-strength rubber are used in this product to prevent food from spilling or the temperature of the environment from affecting its ability to remain cold. The product is sturdy thanks to its Rotomolded structure with a steel core.
Pros
- 5 eye-catching trendy colors to pick from
- An extra-thick wall that insulates up to two inches
- Stay ice-cold for up to two hours
- A silicone-coated handle makes it easier to grip while traveling
- The sturdy Rotomolded structure
Cons
- Expensive
Top 4. Stanley 10-01026-005 Classic Heritage Cooler
The Stanley 10-01026-005 Cooler is part of the Stanley brand’s product line that specializes in offering excellent thermos goods or the best construction lunch box. It’s available in a stunning Hammertone green, the Stanley brand’s signature hue. A vacuum bottle made of stainless steel with outstanding insulation is included with the product, in addition to the best work cooler.
This product line is unique in that it is exceptionally safe and BPA-free, has excellent impact resistance and comes with a lifetime warranty. This package is a terrific way to spice up your lunchtime. Water can be stored in a 1.1-quart vacuum flask to free up room in the 7-quart box for food. A vacuum thermos made of 18/8 stainless steel can keep hot tea warm as well as keep cold drinks cold.
This product set is excellent not only for construction workers but it can also be used for camping and fishing vacations. The product maintains optimal heat for up to 24 hours and can keep ice frozen for up to 120 hours. The lunch cooler’s interior is lined with foam insulation to keep your food tidy.
Pros
- BPA-free, impact-resistance, and comes with a lifetime warranty
- Maintain optimal heat for up to 24 hours
- Keep ice frozen for up to 120 hours
- Include with a vacuum thermos made of 18/8 stainless steel
Cons
- Unsecured locking mechanism
Top 5. MIER FBA_MP032-01 Cooler
MIER FBA MP032-01 Cooler is an Amazon Choice for the best lunch cooler for construction workers that you can’t miss, with nearly 27,000 ratings. It has a beautiful style with a modern simple black bag at an unbelievably low price. This lunch cooler is a little smaller and more intimate than the other options. This item contains two distinct insulated compartments as well as three additional little pockets to make it easier to carry.
The product comes with a very useful adjustable strap. If you don’t want to wear it, you may use the handy handle to carry it around like a standard briefcase. You can choose from a range of color options for this bag. When storing food inside, this 2-tier lunch cooler with strong insulation and a secure PEVA lining gives you peace of mind. However, it will not retain heat as well as traditional types, and you will need to bring ice if you want to keep it for longer.
Pros
- A modern simple black bag
- An unbelievably low price
- Contain two distinct insulated compartments as well as three additional little pockets
- Strong insulation and a secure PEVA lining
Cons
- Small capacity
- The ability to keep heat not long
Top 6. CleverMade 7060-H011-00061PK Cooler Bag
7060-H011-00061PK CleverMade The Cooler Bag is an excellent portable item for travel, camping, climbing, and working. This is a long-lasting canvas bag that comes in four different colors. The product has an extraordinarily big capacity, holding up to 50 cans of drinks with ice. SnapHinges has patented the bag’s design for maximum flexibility and cooling.
This best lunch cooler for construction workers can fit in the trunk of your car when fully filled, and it can be totally folded up when not in use to save room. This product has a load capacity of up to 50 pounds. This device is also recommended for delivery personnel to transport meals over long distances due to its ideal size.
Pros
- An excellent portable item for travel, camping, climbing, and working
- An extraordinarily big capacity
- Hold up to 50 cans of drinks with ice
- A load capacity of up to 50 pounds
Cons
- Not leakproof and ice on the inside can leak water into your car
Top 7. RTIC Day Cooler Bag
The RTIC Day Cooler Bag is the final item on our list of the best lunch cooler for construction workers picks. This item comes with an outer fabric bag that is quite thick and robust to the touch. It offers enough space to hold up to 15 cans of your favorite water at once. You may keep your ice absolutely frozen for up to 24 hours. This is a device that is not only useful for professionals but is also ideal for outdoor activities such as camping and traveling.
It’s made of high-strength polyester with a soft lining and good insulation to keep your food safe and clean during the trip. With the provided bags, this product additionally maximizes carrying capacity. With mesh side pockets and a zipped pocket in the front, you may carry additional food, water, a battery charger, identification, or other things.
Pros
- Hold up to 15 cans
- Keep your ice absolutely frozen for up to 24 hours
- Ideal for outdoor activities such as camping and traveling
- Maximize carrying capacity with mesh side pockets and a zipped pocket
Cons
- Fabric quality is not so good
What Types Of Lunch Cooler?
There are four main categories that lunch coolers fall into- soft coolers (i.e., fabric), hard coolers (i.e., plastic), thermoelectric, and evaporative.
Soft Cooler
A soft cooler can be made out of anything really flexible, however, they are commonly made out of fabric or neoprene because these materials help keep the cold in. The most common type of soft cooler is fabric lunch bags or backpacks with pockets to keep drinks or food inside the bag.
Hard Cooler
A hard cooler is made out of plastic and works by utilizing a refrigerant to create cold temperatures that will help keep the food fresh longer. This type of lunch cooler often resembles a slightly oversized briefcase that can be carried around by two metal handles on either side.
Thermoelectric Lunch Coolers
Thermoelectric coolers work similarly to hard coolers because they are also powered by electricity, however, they have the additional feature of being able to turn on and off. This is an ideal type of cooler for those that want to keep the contents cold, but don’t want it running constantly.
Evaporative Cooler
Evaporative coolers are often referred to as swamp coolers because they work by putting water in the cooler which evaporates and helps keep items inside the best cooler for construction workers. They can also be made out of plastic or some other material, however, they typically have some sort of moisture lining on the inside so that when you place an object in it (e.g., a sandwich), it will quickly become moist and stay cool longer than if you were to simply put it under artificial (i.e., forced) air-cooling conditions.
Factors to Consider When Buying The Best Lunch Cooler For Construction Workers
The whole purpose of getting a lunch cooler is to keep your food fresh throughout the day. As such, do not just buy one on impulse, especially if you are only going to be gone for half or even three-quarters of an hour. You need to take some factors into consideration before buying the best construction lunch box.
What Working Conditions Are Like
For instance, what kind of conditions does your place of work have? If it’s hot and humid where you are or you tend to get sweaty while at work, then it might be wiser to invest in something that has several ice packs instead of opting for one with very few ice packs (and no ice). On the other hand, if you don’t really need anything but will only be out for breakfast and snacks, then the number of ice packs isn’t as important.
How much food do they actually need?
The box shouldn’t be too big if they don’t eat a lot or perhaps not overcrowded if you want them to be able to fit a water bottle or extra snacks. Each lunch box should have many compartments so your child won’t have to open all of them just to get one item. If you want two different dishes, there are boxes with dividers so the food won’t touch each other. There are also small containers that can be added inside a built-in separator for ingredients that shouldn’t mix together.
Capacity
Another factor to consider is how much food you’re going to need for your lunch break. Will it be enough if you just bring a sandwich? Or will you need something else as well? If that’s the case, then you might want to get a cooler bag that can store not just your sandwich but also other items such as a water bottle and some snacks.
On the other hand, only a simple cooler with a few ice packs may suffice if your meal is light and doesn’t take up too much space – because all coolers keep food cool throughout the day, no matter how many ice packs or what kind of insulation they have. It’s simply a question of how cold they can keep the food.
Material
Material Make-up of Cooler Material makes a big difference because not all materials are created equal. Rubbermaid coolers seem to last longer but have an odd aftertaste from their material. YETI Tundra coolers by contrast have been around recently and built from stainless steel which lasts much longer than Rubbermaid yet both can hold ice for days. If you buy cheap, you buy twice so you might as well get the best one possible made of stainless steel. In the long run, it will save you money and get you a better quality cooler.
Insulation
It should be durable enough that it will keep your food cool up until lunchtime whether you’re taking an hour bus ride to work or commuting by car. Quality insulation also keeps wet wipes and ice packs from leaking onto other parts of the box so they don’t get all over the contents of your bag.
Ease Of Use
Look for features like wide opening, sturdy handle, pockets, and cushioned shoulder strap. Padded shoulder straps come in handy when you’re trying to balance the weight of it on your shoulders and carry other bags at the same time. The ability of the bag to open wide is also helpful so you can see all the contents inside without having to unzip multiple compartments.
Secure
Make sure that there are no zippers, flaps or anything else that might fall under little fingers’ reach as a choking hazard. This way they won’t be able to peel back pieces open and try to eat them
Price
Lastly, think about your budget and how much you’re willing to spend on the best cooler for construction workers. There are those that can cost as little as $10 or less if purchased online, but there are also those that may be priced near $100 since they tend to have extra features such as wheels for easier transport. Of course, the number of ice packs and insulation types is another factor that will affect pricing.
Advantages of The Lunch Cooler For Construction Workers
Many construction sites are in the middle of nowhere, which makes it difficult to have access to lunch. Construction workers need something that can keep food fresh because they cannot leave their site during the day. The lunch cooler is specifically designed for this main purpose.
Keep food chilled and fresh
The best construction lunch box would eliminate this worry as it is designed to keep food chilled and fresh all day long. Food will not be damaged by small particles of dirt, sand, or cement since these items cannot get through the tightly woven fabric made from nylon or polyester fibers (often both). Also, there are many different types of light fabrics like nylon mesh that allow the construction workers to see what is packed inside.
Convenience
Construction workers often have to work long hours in the hot sun and heat. While they should always stay hydrated, many times food is not an option. This can lead to a dangerous situation for both the individual and their team. Having a cooler packed with ice water or even some food items such as sandwiches or fruit can help them avoid these negative effects and even increase productivity and morale.
It’s also important to remember that many construction professionals work on larger sites where materials must be carried from location to location sometimes at great distances from each other. In these cases, it can be extremely difficult for one person to carry everything they need by themselves which again leads to poor eating habits or worse yet no eating at all until dinner time rolls around. Having a Best Cooler Lunch Box with you makes it easy to carry everything as well as having the option of storing or transporting some food items.
Well-organized
Lunch coolers are also great because they’re insulated and well-organized, making it easier to find your snacks when you need them most. No longer will you have to dig through bags or bins in order to find what you want. The best ones come with specific compartments so even sauce bottles won’t spill onto your sandwich baggies!
Food safety and hygiene
Construction sites can get pretty dirty, so try to avoid bringing glass containers where possible. If something does happen and some of your co-workers do decide to steal your perfectly good food, make sure there’s a place to put your dirty, wet items. That way you can save some of the food you had packed while also cleaning up after any accidents that may have occurred!
What You Can Do With A Cooler Lunch Box?
Construction workers need a lot of items to work with, but they have to have a way to transport those items from point A to point B. At times this can prove difficult as they don’t always have a vehicle at their disposal. In these cases, a lunch cooler may be a great idea for easy transportation of anything needed for the day’s work. Below are some ideas on what one could do with their cooler when it comes to construction work.
Basic Tools
Small tools such as screwdrivers, nails, screws, and drill bits are all an absolute necessity for any sort of construction job. These items should always be kept in or near the lunch box so that nothing is left behind after the day work has been completed. This is essential as leaving tools behind could lead to accidents occurring.
Food Items
Keeping food items in the lunch box is also a great idea. Even if it’s just keeping an extra sandwich or two, this can be extremely useful if work takes over both breakfast and lunch. Food poisoning isn’t exactly fun, but there are much worse things that could happen to someone out on a construction job site than getting something simple like a stomach ache from bad food.
Cleaning Supplies
Many workers may not feel comfortable with cleaning supplies for fear of ruining their clothes or hurting themselves somehow. However, it should be noted that even though cleaning agents are strong they shouldn’t cause any issues if used. A roll of paper towels, a rag, and some window cleaner should be in the lunch box at all times. This will allow construction workers to clean up messes or spills quickly and efficiently when they occur.
Other
There are many other items that can be useful when it comes to construction work such as safety equipment (i.e. hardhats, safety vests), tools, nails and screws of varying sizes, etc. Putting any of these into a lunch cooler is an excellent idea for helping out on a job site in need of supplies. Even if you aren’t working with construction materials per se there are likely still ways to use your cooler for helping others in what you do best!
How To Use A Cooler Lunch Box Step By Step?
Now that we know what is the best lunch cooler for construction workers, let’s get into the steps of how to use it:
Step 1. The first thing that you should do is choose the size of your lunch box. Since I’m discussing how to use a lunch cooler for construction workers, my recommendation is to buy one with enough capacity for all your food and drinks. If you don’t have much stuff to carry, then choose a small one so it’ll be easier to handle while transporting it from home to the job site.
Step 2. The next thing to do is choose the brand that you prefer since they are not all equal when it comes down to the quality of construction, insulation capabilities, price, etc. I recommend checking customer reviews on Amazon before buying something since they will show you what people think about their products, which brands are worth your investment, or if there are better deals available for the same item.
Step 3. Once you have bought a lunch box with enough capacity for all your food and drinks during a whole day at work, put it inside the freezer overnight. This step will make sure that your meal stays cold until you need to eat it.
Step 4. After putting your food and drinks inside the lunch box, put the thermal insulation on top of them so they won’t lose their temperature. These materials can be purchased anywhere you want, but a good idea is to go to a store that sells construction equipment since most of them have these types of products available for sale.
Step 5. Once you arrived at your job site with all your food and drinks still cold thanks to the thermal insulation of the best cooler for construction workers, take out from your lunch cooler for construction workers all the things that you’re going to need during the day such as a sandwich or fruit salad containers, drink boxes or water bottles with lids, etc.
Step 6. Unpack everything by opening up one side of the thermal insulation and taking out what you need to eat or drink. When taking out your meal, remember that it will be HOT, so please use gloves when handling food that has just come out of the oven or boiling water.
Step 7. Put all the uneaten food back inside the lunch box and cover it with thermal insulation again before putting it back in your car trunk for instance since if not, bugs and other insects might get into your lunch and contaminate it.
Step 8. Once done with work for the day, bring all things inside the house and put them away properly (drinks on the fridge, spices on the kitchen rack, etc).
How To Clean A Lunch Cooler For Construction Workers?
If you are wondering how you can clean your best work cooler without spending hours scrubbing it down then you will need to take some special care when storing your meals inside of it each day.
It’s important that you do not leave anything out in the open where it can collect smells or dirt overnight. Instead, store your food items in airtight bags to ensure that they are protected from the outside elements. It also helps to keep your cooler clean by washing it out with dish soap before storing your food inside of it for the first time, and every few days after that.
The problem you may encounter when trying to scrub off stubborn stains on your lunch cooler is finding a surface that provides you with enough traction while also getting into all the cracks and creases of the fabric. A sponge will not be able to get into these areas because they are too smooth.
The best way to clean your best construction lunch box is by using a wire brush instead because their abrasiveness will provide you with enough strength to scour off any leftover stains or smells that are trapped inside of it. Using a wire brush is the most efficient way to clean your lunch cooler out while still being gentle enough not to damage it in the process.
Once you have finished scrubbing down your lunch cooler with the wire brush, spray on some disinfectant spray and let the surfaces dry completely before storing your food back inside of it for storage overnight. If you take care of your lunch cooler by using this method each morning when you pack up your food, then there will be no more bad odors lingering around when you go to use it again at noontime.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To acquire the most valuable information, follow the commonly asked questions about the best lunch cooler for construction workers.
How does a cooler bag work?
An outer layer of reflective material traps thermal radiation from within the insulated compartment of the cooler. The insulating properties of closed-cell foam insulation create a “thermal bottle” effect inside the insulated compartment. Due to the physics involved, coolers are most effective when full, so it’s best to pack as much as possible during those hot summer days.
How long do cooler bags keep things cold?
A typical cooler can keep contents cold for about five hours (depending on the size), as long as it remains unopened. If you open the bag or remove the contents, then the time is reduced. Additionally, if there is warm ambient temperature and sunny conditions then the insulation of any lunch bag becomes less effective. It’s important to take these factors into consideration when picking and choosing a lunch bag.
What is the material used in a cooler bag?
Plastic bins are widely available thanks to plastic manufacturing advancements, and they can come with or without insulation. Some examples of insulated bins include lunch boxes and ice chests. Insulation is typically made from foam molded around dividers known as cells that separate individual compartments. The cells stop cold air (which would otherwise escape through gaps between adjacent items) from escaping outwards, while also acting like tiny pockets of air that further stop cold from escaping.
Typically, the material used is a type of plastic foam called polyurethane (which can also be used to make upholstery). Polyurethane foam cells are arranged in a honeycomb formation and filled with gases that help maintain insulation between -30 degrees Fahrenheit (-34 degrees Celsius) down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-6 degrees Celsius). One drawback of this material though is its relatively low resistance to heat transfer compared to other materials such as aluminum or silver alloys. However, there are variations available that do not contain any metal or alloy.
Conclusion
Construction workers can spend a lot of time working outside in places where it may rain or get very hot. While their hard hats usually protect them from rain, they will still get wet if left out in the rain long enough. This means that having the best lunch cooler for construction workers that also protects them from getting wet is extremely beneficial to them.
If they do not have access to shelter when it rains, then there are no other options except having an umbrella or wearing a poncho for protection from the elements. The best cooler lunch box is also beneficial for them because it can protect their food from the sun, which can ruin their lunch.
The best cooler for construction workers is the one that will keep their food cool, dry, and fresh. With so many options available on the market today, it can be hard to determine which type of lunch bag will work best for your needs. We’ve done some research, reviewed reviews from customers who have purchased these types of products before, and identified what makes a great construction worker-friendly lunch box. Below are our top seven picks based on quality, affordability, and durability. We hope this helps you find your perfect match!
