Orca vs Pelian Cooler: Which one is right for you? A cooler is an essential staple for any trip, whether it be at the beach or fishing in Alaska. When shopping for coolers, you have your pick of several types. The two most popular are a specific variety of cooler: The Orca and Pelican Coolers.
Both serve similar purposes and have the same primary function — to keep your food and beverages cool when you’re headed towards a destination. It’s understandable that choosing one can be difficult with so many options available on the market today. Let’s see how they differ from each other and if one stands out above the rest as a superior product that earns a place beside you on your path to fun!
Benefits Of Owning A Cooler?
Keeps food and drinks fresh
This is the most common reason people buy coolers. Coolers are a great way to keep food and beverages cold during hot weather or long trips. A quality cooler will keep ice frozen for hours or even days, so you don’t have to worry about your food spoiling in the heat.
Secure storage for important items
Not only do coolers help keep food fresh, but they also provide safe storage for other important items such as money, identification cards, and keys while you travel. This can be especially helpful if you’re going on vacation and want to feel secure that your belongings are safe while you’re in the water or hiking through parks or trails.
Easy to transport any kind of food
To get a good cooler, you should keep in mind some features such as the size of the cooler and the insulation material. The first thing you need to know is what size of cooler you would need? Even though most coolers come in a standard size, there are sizes that vary according to your needs. You can choose from small-sized coolers (they hold up to 12 cans) which are easy to carry, medium-sized coolers (they hold up to 18 cans) which are ideal for camping or hiking trips, and large-sized coolers (they hold up to 36 cans) which are perfect for outdoor trips
Stay comfortable in the heat
Coolers are great for hot days; they can keep your drinks and food cold for many hours. It is important to choose a high-quality cooler that can keep your food fresh and cool for a long time; otherwise, it can be useless when it comes time to eat. Once you have chosen the right cooler you will have more fun at your outdoor activities.
Save money and time with fewer shopping trips
One of the biggest benefits of owning a cooler is that it allows owners to make fewer shopping trips. This means that not only do you save money on gas, but you also save time. You won’t have to drive from store to store trying to find all the items on your list or wait in line at the checkout.
Don’t get sick from spoiled food
It’s always a bummer when you buy fresh produce, only to toss it out a few days later because it went bad. A cooler allows you to store food for much longer periods of time, so you can reduce waste and keep yourself healthy by eating nutritious meals every day instead of picking up fast food on your way home from work.
Prepare more meals at home
Cooking at home is healthier than eating out, but most people don’t have the time or energy after a long day at work. A cooler makes it easy to meal prep ahead of time so that you can have delicious, nutritious meals ready to go in just minutes.
About Orca Cooler
History
Orca Coolers were developed in 2002 by Cliff Walker and Tim Bennett, two outdoorsmen from Tennessee. The coolers were created with the idea of making an indestructible cooler that could last for decades, rather than just years.
Outstanding features
Insulation
The main outstanding feature of the Orca Cooler is its insulation. The walls of the cooler have 2 inches of polyurethane foam with a layer of gel in between them. This foam helps to keep ice solidified for up to 10 days, even when stored in hot temperatures. The gel layer improves cold retention but also acts as an insulator against hot temperatures outside the cooler.
Heavy rubber washers
In addition to its insulation, the Orca Cooler has heavy rubber washers on all latches and hinges. These washers prevent water or snow from entering the interior of the cooler through gaps around these parts.
A durable handle
It has a durable handle that facilitates easy transportation, even when loaded with heavy items. Besides, the handle folds flat for easy storage. The lid of the cooler has a secure latch that ensures it remains closed under all circumstances.
The body of the cooler
The body of the cooler is made from lightweight yet tough plastic that can withstand harsh elements and abuse, while still being easy to carry. This material is reinforced with a rubber gasket that provides an extra layer of insulation and keeps the cold in.
Tie-down slots
It also features tie-down slots at the bottom so you can fasten it to your boat or car for ease of transport. There’s also an Orca bottle opener included on one side of the lid, so you always have a bottle opener handy when needed.
Drawbacks
Price
The biggest drawback to the Orca Cooler is that they are not cheap. At $200+, they cost more than twice as much as their competitors. But if you plan to use your cooler frequently, they are well worth the investment.
Weight
One of the most notable drawbacks is its weight; it is very heavy even when it’s empty. This makes it difficult to transport on long hikes. Just make sure you have a truck to transport it in, because at 40 lbs., this cooler is pretty heavy!
Durability
While this cooler gets high marks from most users, there are some who complain about its durability. Some users claim they noticed cracks on the body after just a few uses, while others say that the plastic broke after several months.
About Pelican Cooler
History
The Pelican cooler was developed in 2008 by two business partners in California. The original cooler was made from a roto-molded process, in which liquid plastic was heated inside of a mold and then rotated to form a consistent thickness across the entire outer shell of the cooler.
Outstanding features
Roto-molded shell
Pelican coolers have several features that distinguish them from other brands. The roto-molded shell is claimed to be bear-resistant, which means that grizzly bears cannot break into the cooler. This makes it ideal for hunters who must leave their coolers outside overnight when they are on camping trips in areas with bear populations.
Sleek, stylish design
The Pelican ProGear Elite Cooler is designed with style in mind. It’s sleek and modern and comes in a variety of colors, so no matter what your preference is, there’s sure to be an option that suits you
High-quality materials
This product is made from high-quality materials that are carefully selected to ensure maximum durability and longevity. You can expect this cooler to last for years without showing any signs of wear and tear, which makes it an investment worth making if you want something that will stand the test of time.
Lightweight
Pelican Coolers are manufactured from high-grade polyethylene (HDPE) and the result is a cooler that is lightweight and extremely portable. They are easy to carry around and can be used anywhere, anytime.
Drawbacks
Leaking
The Pelican cooler is prone to leaking. Many customers have complained that the rubber seal around the lid is prone to rotting and cracking over time, regardless of how well you take care of it.
Hard Clean-up
It’s also not very easy to clean because there isn’t much room between the lid and interior. There isn’t a drain plug either, so those who want to empty out melted ice will have to flip it upside down over a bucket or sink.
Ice retention
The lighter weight is usually a positive thing, but if that means less insulation, then it’s not so great. Thinner walls mean less insulation and less protection from heat. If keeping your food cold is your highest priority, then this is something to consider before purchasing a Pelican cooler.
Which One Is Better?
To help you decide, we will compare these two coolers side-by-side. We will look at their features, their prices, and more to help you decide which cooler is best for you!
Size
The Pelican comes in as many as 10 different sizes, ranging from 20 quarts to 250 quarts. On the other hand, the Orca comes in 4 sizes: 20 quarts, 26 quarts, 58 quarts, and 80 quarts.
Ice retention
If you’re looking at ice retention, then both these coolers are similar. You can expect up to 10 days of ice retention in both the Orca and the Pelican.
The difference between them is that while the Pelican holds ice for long periods at room temperature, the Orca will hold ice for longer at higher temperatures.
Accessories and extras
When it comes to accessories and extras, again both brands offer quite a few options. If you want a bottle opener or a fish ruler on your cooler, then you can choose either of them. However, if you want cup holders on your cooler lid, then that’s only possible with Pelican coolers. Orca doesn’t have lids with cup holders built into them.
Warranty
Both companies offer a lifetime warranty on their products; however, they do differ in terms of coverage. Pelican offers a limited lifetime warranty on its products, which covers defects due to manufacturing error only and not on damage or wear and tear. For Orca, the manufacturer’s warranty is for as long as the consumer uses the product.
Price
When it comes to price, Orca has a slight edge over Pelican. Orca’s top-of-the-line coolers start at around $350 while Pelican’s similar models cost about $450. Both brands offer less expensive options, but those are not comparable because they have less impressive features and lower quality construction.
Other Brands Of Coolers You Should Consider
Orca and Pelican Coolers are the most popular coolers on the market. They have a great reputation for keeping ice for days on end and are well-known for their ability to keep food and beverages cold in even the hottest of temperatures.
However, they’re not the only ones. If you’re looking to buy a cooler, there are many different brands out there that can help you get what you need.
Rubbermaid
Rubbermaid is a well-known brand for the quality of its products. They also have a very good cooler collection. Rubbermaid coolers are not as expensive as Yeti coolers, but they are durable, sturdy, and can keep ice for up to 7 days.
Igloo
Igloo is another well-known brand that has been in the market since 1947. This company offers a variety of coolers made with quality materials, insulated lids and walls, and sturdy handles. Igloo’s coolers are not expensive compared to the ones mentioned above.
Coleman
Coleman is another popular brand with a diverse collection of high-quality coolers that can keep ice frozen for long periods of time. These coolers are also affordable and offer many sizes and colors to choose from.
Otterbox
Although it is not a cooler brand, it produces tough coolers which are also resistant to water and ice. Some of these coolers have wheels for easier transportation. Otterbox coolers are more expensive than the rest of the brands mentioned, but they are definitely worth the price.
Yeti
A well-known cooler brand with a variety of sizes and colors to choose from that can keep ice frozen for long periods of time.
Tips To Maintain A Cooler
Rinse it out
If you’ve used your cooler to store items like food or fish, you should clean out the interior and rinse it with fresh water before storing it for winter. This will help remove any smelly residue that can attract insects, rodents, and other animals.
Let air dry, but not completely
Leaving a cooler to air dry completely is not recommended. Even if you’ve cleaned the inside of the container thoroughly, some water may remain in the lid area or in any cracks or crevices on the outside of the cooler. If this moisture is allowed to freeze and thaw repeatedly over time, it can damage your cooler. To avoid this problem, leave your cooler open until all of its surfaces are just dry to the touch.
Use a toothbrush and mild soap
Clean it regularly. Dirt, debris, and bacteria can build up inside the cooler and make it smell bad or look dirty. Regular cleaning will help prevent this buildup.
Use a toothbrush and mild soap. Use a small, soft toothbrush or rag to scrub the inside of your cooler with soapy water. Then rinse with clean water and dry with a towel or rag.
Remove the rubber gasket to clean
The rubber gasket is the removable flap that seals the lid of your cooler. It can attract dirt that damages its ability to seal the lid properly. Remove the gasket from its track and wipe it down with soap and water, then replace it on its track once it’s dry.
Clean the drain plug cover
The drain plug cover is located under the cooler and is used to drain excess water from the cooler. This should be cleaned regularly in order to prevent clogging. Take a clean cloth and remove any dirt or mould that has accumulated on it. Wipe off any excess water that has collected on the cover or surrounding area.
Add baking soda to freshen
Baking soda is used in many household cleaning products, as well as being a common kitchen ingredient used in cooking. It can also be used to freshen up your cooler and prevent foul smells from building up over time. Baking soda can be added directly into the water of your cooler, or dissolved into a bucket of hot water and then poured into the cooler. You can even add essential oils to this mixture for additional scent benefits!
Conclusion
In the end, it’s clear that there are benefits to both of these coolers, and some drawbacks as well. But this isn’t a choice that most people will have to decide on. For example, you may be looking to buy one of these coolers for a college student or someone in the military, in which case you’d obviously choose Orca. Or if you’re looking for the largest cooler available on the market, Pelican is undoubtedly still your best option. Of course, it helps that they are both made right here in the United States by a company with a five-star satisfaction guarantee.