Cooling down meds of the grid for longer periods of time
Posted by Alrafal@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 35 comments
I’m not sure if this is the right subreddit for this so I’m sorry if this doesn’t belong here. I’m planning to make an at least 3 month long trip and live of the of the grid after that. Sadly I am reliant on my medication which needs to be kept under 25*c. So what I’m asking is: is there any way I can cool my meds down which is also kind of portable since I’m travelling by bike with a trailer? Thanks for your help
Paranormal_Lemon@reddit
Do you have any solar power? Have space for a tabletop ice maker? You can make about a pound of ice in an hour at a little over 100 watts. Otherwise a vacuum insulated container of some sort to keep purchased ice will be your best bet.
FlashyImprovement5@reddit
Zeer pot might be what you need.
4ureddit@reddit
They have such item on Amazon for what you looking for
Academic_Win6060@reddit
For when you're off grid, maybe consider a solar generator and an extra small 12 volt fridge/freezer.
I like the idea of an insulated thermos with block ice or a cold pack inside, but it probably wont last much longer than about 24-36 hours and you'd need something very waterproof to keep the meds in.
lidlekitty_tweezler@reddit
Light color cooler. Dont let the sun shine on it. Keep it full of ice, dump out the water when the ice starts melting. Keep the cooler buried down under fluffy equipment to keep it insulated.
pbmadman@reddit
Why dump the water?
lidlekitty_tweezler@reddit
Makes the ice melt faster when theres more water than ice
hidude398@reddit
Don’t. The specific heat capacity of water is superior to air - it takes more heat from the surrounding environment to warm.
A_Dragon@reddit
Is it insulin?
Lard523@reddit
Fill a good insulated tumbler/cup with ice, let it cool down, then remove the ice and place the meds in. I assume you will also be carrying food stuffs that shouldn’t overheat, you can store your meds in a cooler with the food.
Also (depending on what the medication is) check with your pharmacy if they know or can get the temperature excursion data on the medication. Many medications are pretty generous, although some are not.
Lethalmouse1@reddit
I'd reconsider why a med-dependant person is planning to bicycle around the world in turmoil like some sort of disability Mad Max fantasy hero?
There are so many better plans.
I mean I get the fantasy fun, and for people who might have half a chance at being "he who is him" go try out being Rambo ninja warrior cyborg man. But brosky.... just get a camper van or something. That's like months of preps and no ninja required.
Unlikely-Ad3659@reddit
You have no idea what they are planning, could be doing the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compestella. I live near one of the routes, no Rambos, just people who want to connect to the world we live in and ditch the motor vehicle.
Lethalmouse1@reddit
Bro.. they said long term grid down, not normal vacation. 99% of the time, that is going to be fantasy BS planning.
Stock_Atmosphere_114@reddit
I use a wide mouth thermos.
Inner-Confidence99@reddit
Depending on the size of what the medication comes in ire glass vials of insulin that has to stay cool. I believe you could buy a decent thick stainless steel cup on inside good lid. Buy some of the instant cold packs that you break to place on injuries. Place one in bottom of cup should keep cool for 24 hours. The steel will help it stay cold. Also if in a region with snow/ice etc. that would work as well get you a thermometer and test it.
SheistyPenguin@reddit
For Americans familiar with Freedom Units: 25C = 77F
A small, thick white styrofoam cooler will help keep your meds around room temperature. Bonus if you can stick an ice pack or something in there from time to time.
Or if the meds fit into a large mug or thermos, that will work too.
Pbandsadness@reddit
I was taught Celsius as: 0 is ice. 10 is not. 20 is nice. 30 is hot.
Herrero_Disforme@reddit
What if you use a passive cooler? They usually keep food at that temperature.
Ok_Pomegranate_9452@reddit
Depending on the size, take a look at these: https://a.co/d/gnt0Bbb
xHangfirex@reddit
Depending on the climate you might use a zeer pot. They can keep the inside up to 40f cooler than outside but this depends on the humidity
silasmoeckel@reddit
T1D who hkes. They make little gel bead pouches that you just dunk in water and it evaporates keeping it cool.
Mr_Vegas_Locksmith@reddit
That would be a Frio pouch. They do work well.
PrepperBoi@reddit
By bike do you mean motorcycle? Could you get a 12V fridge?
Alrafal@reddit (OP)
No by bicycle my bad
PrepperBoi@reddit
You’re going to be dependent on ice then. Get a cooler keep it in the shade. Wrap it with something if you can. You’ll need to make sure you’re never far from ice though. Like probably 24-36 hours away from ice
I have a small freezer pack that I use to keep my meds cold when I fly, but that’s not really a long term fix as you would need to refreeze it.
Old_Dragonfruit6952@reddit
A yeti cup . Pre chill
IntoTheCommonestAsh@reddit
How much meds do you have?
People are suggesting coolers, but if it's just one bottle or two, maybe you fit it all into a big insulated mug with couple ice cubes at the bottom
tspoon-99@reddit
Yeti backpack maybe? They’re expensive though
ConversationReal6633@reddit
igloo makes a very affordable half-gallon sports jug. I use it at work (warehouse) and I’ve had ice last 24 hours in my drink Even in the summer. You could use it to store your meds and add ice or ice packs inside. Its well-insulated.
Decent-Apple9772@reddit
25c isn’t very cold.
Look at zeer pots and pcms and a good reflective sunshade.
It should be fairly easy. An electric cooler is the nuclear option.
https://youtu.be/Nqxjfp4Gi0k?si=ng7WgzIzF-YLS0p_
PristineSKS@reddit
12V cooler, lithium battery, solar panel, solar charge controller.
Mine keeps ice cream at -10°C in 40°C weather.
You probably only need a very small unit (guessing meds don't take up a lot of freezer volume) so I'd guess you could build a setup with a total weight around 50 lbs and a total price around $500 and have a little room for some cold drinks or food.
smsff2@reddit
Keeping your med covered in thick layer of dump cloth should be enough. Average daily temp rarely goes higher than 25 degrees Celsius anywhere in populated areas. Keep things insulated throughout day and night.
Traditional-Leader54@reddit
25 C is 77F.i wouldn’t say it’s rare for the temperature to be above that in places like Miami, Phoenix, Houston, Austin, Dallas, New Orleans, etc and that just in the US.
smsff2@reddit
I took Miami FL a an example. Average temperature during 3 summer months is 28 C. Wet bulb temperature is between 12 and 28 C, depending on humidity. Average humidity in Miami is 60%. It seems like OP should be fine on most days.
Traditional-Leader54@reddit
I’d say a small cooler with ice in ziplock bags.