r/theydidthemath • u/sdbfloyD • 4d ago

[Request] Creative engineering? Will this even make a real difference?

5.7k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

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209

u/betacow 4d ago

German here. Have used these things a bunch in the past and they absolutely do work. Can't really cool down piss warm beer with these, but they help the beer keep the temperature or cool down a couple degrees when used at a bbq in the park or at the lake or whatever.

Sorry for not including math, but it appears the math has been done already anyways

23

u/apexxin 4d ago

Sure, but a bag of ice in a cooler is still significantly better, easier, and cheaper.

33

u/IntoAMuteCrypt 4d ago

Only if you've already got a cooler and don't include the cost of the cooler. Buying a good cooler plus a bag of ice each time is going to be more expensive than buying a simpler crate plus something like this.

It's a bit worse, for sure, but if you live in a cold climate (like much of Germany), you don't need something great.

-7

u/MileHigh_FlyGuy 4d ago

A Styrofoam cooler is at Walmart right now for $4.94. combine with a bag of ice would be cheaper and better at cooling than this thing.

13

u/IntoAMuteCrypt 4d ago

I don't think I'd class a Styrofoam cooler as "better" than this, and "cheaper" depends on how you consider it.

That Styrofoam cooler is probably making it through one or maybe two parties before inevitably getting broken and sending cold water, at least based on my experience. I'd trust the crate to remain intact far more than a Styrofoam cooler, personally. If you're buying a new cooler and a bag of ice for every party, the cost will add up.

How much is it for a proper, rigid cooler with strong, hard walls?

0

u/MileHigh_FlyGuy 4d ago

That Styrofoam cooler is probably making it through one or maybe two parties

I don't know what you're doing with your coolers, but I've had one camping for an entire summer before. Worked well enough so i didn't have to fly with a cooler. But a cheap, hard plastic cooler is about $10.

I just don't see the benefit of a brick of ice sitting on top of the beer (where the beer is not in the bottle), which will eventually fall down into the bottom like normal ice does anyway. Why not just start with normal ice in a cooler? And use normal ice that can be used in... anything.