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Other than the Coleman reviewed here, the Grizzly 40-quart cooler is the least expensive cooler we tested. It uses a freezer-grade gasket to seal the cooler, is rotationally molded, employs a dual handle system of a rope/rubber/nylon-sleeved handle as well as molded.
The Grizzly cooler features heavy duty handles, has molded lock eyelets, non-slip and non-marking rubber feet so the unit won’t slide, multiple tie-down points, a large leak-proof drain spigot, and a molded-in hinge. It is IGBC (Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee) certified against destruction by grizzly bears.
Ice retention. All ice gone in 7.5 days.
Heat retention. Ham temperature dropped to 145˚F in 2.85 hrs.
Leakage/Dropped Damage. No leakage, suffered minor abrasions on two corners and the lid.
Hinges, latches and lid. The Grizzly Bearclaw™ latches can be difficult for small or older individuals to pull down enough to open and close the lid. Has a molded hinge with two stainless steel pins.
Drain efficiency and speed. Drained in :57 seconds with no residual water. Drain plug has no attaching lanyard and could be misplaced.
Handles. Molded and poly cord. Caution: rope handles are tied to the cooler with knots through eyelets and are easy to replace but could release if the knots come loose while the cooler is being carried.
Dimensions. 24.25”L x 16”W x 15.5”H
Weight. 24 lbs.
Extras. Two tie-down slots
Warranty. Limited lifetime warranty.
Cost. Approx. $225 to $250
Country of origin. Decora, IA, USA
Manufacturer:
Grizzly Coolers are made of rotationally molded plastic, which allows them to make their coolers strong and provide optimum performance.The rotomolding process makes sure that each part has a consistant wall thickness and is free of imperfections, and that the products they deliver will hold up to the toughest abuse.
Published On: 3/20/2018 Last Modified: 3/5/2021
Rick Browne does product testing and recipes. A renowned TV cooking show host, photojournalist, and author of 16 barbecue books, he was the creator, host, and executive producer of public television’s popular Barbecue America TV series, a cooking and travelogue highlighting the world’s outdoor culinary landscape. It has aired on more than 230 stations.
Browne has [...]
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When you make rubs at home we recommend you add salt first them the herbs and spices because salt penetrates deep and the other stuff remains on the surface. So thick cuts need more salt. We put salt in these bottled rubs because all commercial rubs have salt and consumers expect it. You can still use these as a dry brine, just sprinkle the rub on well in advance to give the salt time to penetrate. For very thick cuts of meat, we recommend adding a bit more salt. Salt appears first in the ingredients list because law says the order is by weight, not volume, and salt is a heavy rock.
Sprinkle on one tablespoon per pound of meat two hours or more before cooking if you can. Called “dry brining,” the salt gets wet, ionizes, becomes a brine, and slowly penetrates deep, enhancing flavor and juiciness while building a nice crusty “bark” on the surface. Sprinkle some on at the table too!
Are they hot? No! You can always add hot pepper flakes or Chipotle powder (my fave) in advance or at the table. But we left them mild so you can serve them to kids and Aunt Matilda
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