Polar Bear tubes to keep your catch freshPolar
Bear tubes are an amazingly simple solution to the problem of keeping
your cooler cold without having to deal with ice. Polar Bear tubes are
super easy to make and the cost is extraordinarily low for each tube. The
original idea for the Polar Bear tubes comes from Bill Shelton. Materials- PVC pipe
- PVC end cap fittings
- PVC primer
- PVC cement
- Water
You
need some PVC pipe. We recommend a 2″ pipe but this can be
adjusted based on the size of your cooler and your needs. A thicker tube
will take longer to freeze, but it will also stay frozen longer. The
only other materials are end cap fittings for the size PVC you elect to use,
PVC primer and PVC cement. Make sure to use good quality PVC cement. Shelton ProductsHow to assemble your Polar Bear tubes:Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you assemble your Polar Bear tubes: - Measure
your freezer and your cooler. Make sure your Polar Bear tubes will fit
in both your freezer and your cooler and think about which way you want
to store them. Taking a minute to think about this will save you some
headache down the road.
- Keep it clean. If you keep the inside of
your Polar Bear tube clean, you can use the water as an emergency
source of clean water.
- Let the glue dry. Glue one end fitting
onto your PVC pipe and give it plenty of time to dry. When you are
comfortable that it is dry, fill up the tube to about 90% with water and
glue the other end fitting on.
- DO NOT FILL THE TUBE ALL THE WAY
FULL! 90% full of water is all you need. The empty space allows for the
water to expand when it freezes. If you fill it full and then freeze,
the tube it will burst.
- After the second fitting has had time to
dry, throw your new Polar Bear tubes in the freezer and get ready to
take them into the outdoors.

Polar Bear tubes. Custom
fitted for the lunch cooler box. Polar Bear tubes in a full size cooler. |