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How to Make Outdoor Coolers

When camping or cooking outdoors, you will require the use of a cooler that will keep food cold until it is ready to use. If you do not want to purchase a cooler for this purpose, another option to consider is to build one using an old cardboard box. The materials you will need for your cooler can be found at a local home improvement store.

Things You'll Need

Cardboard box
Tape measure
1-inch rigid insulation
Drywall saw
Construction adhesive
Plastic sheet
Scissors

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the width and length for the inside dimensions of the cardboard box with a tape measure. Measure the height of the cardboard box. Note the measurements on a piece of paper.
- 2
  Transfer the measurement for the width and length to a piece of 1-inch rigid insulation. Cut two pieces of insulation to this size with the drywall saw.
- 3
  Subtract 1 inch from the measurement of the height. Cut two more pieces of the rigid insulation to match the measurement for the length and the new height.
- 4
  Subtract 1 inch from the width. Cut another two pieces of rigid insulation to match the height measurement in Step 3 and the new width.
- 5
  Place one of the cut pieces of rigid insulation in Step 2 at the bottom of the cardboard box. Set the pieces from Steps 3 and 4 in the cardboard box. The pieces cut to the new width in Step 4 are for the smaller ends of the box, and the pieces cut to the new height in Step 3 are for the longer sides.
- 6
  Run a bead of the construction adhesive along each seam of the rigid insulation. Allow the adhesive to dry for at least 12 hours.
- 7
  Apply long beads of the construction adhesive along the sides and bottom of the rigid insulation. Place the plastic sheet inside and press it into the construction adhesive.
- 8
  Cut excess plastic from the top of the cooler with the scissors. Allow the adhesive to dry. Use the last cut piece of insulation as the top of the cooler.

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