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Picnic Hints & Tips
Watching some folks unload for a picnic reminds me of scenes of early
pioneers pushing handcarts across the plains with all their worldly possessions
only these handcarts are actually coolers...lots of coolers...huge, heavy
coolers dripping ice water. Here are a few picnic travel tips to make
your evening at McClellan easier.
Park the monster cooler
Leave that truck-sized cooler at home and consider taking several
smaller coolers instead. Aside from being easy to manage and thermally
efficient, multiple smaller coolers help keep beverages and food
separated and organized. |
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No cooler?
Okay, take a canvas bag and fill with Styrofoam packing peanuts,
shove containers of cold food into it and top with another couple
inches of chips. The goods will hold their chill for a couple hours
and the bag is easier to carry than a cooler. |
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Dump The Ice
Ice is heavy, wet and not very cold. Dry ice (frozen CO2), on the
other hand, is so cold you can't touch it without gloves. And when
it melts it just ...disappears. To use, just smack the bagged block
with a hammer, dump a quart or so in the bottom
of your cooler, top with a towel or an inch of Styrofoam peanuts,
then the food. Just remember to use gloves if you have to handle
it out of the bag. |
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Chill Before You Leave
It's always a good idea to chill foods and drinks in a refrigerator
before placing them on ice. If you find yourself with several warm
6-packs and a cooler a half hour before show time, try this.
- Empty the cooler
- Add a bag of ice (or enough to fill the cooler at least 1/3
full)
- Sprinkle on a cup of rock salt
- Pour in a pint of water
- Replace the lid
- Shake for a minute
- Add the beverages
The salt will lower the freezing point of the water, producing
a super cold liquid that will quickly drive the heat out of your
beverages. |
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Keep it cool . . . or not
Although it is hard to imagine anyone wanting to bring something
hot to a summer concert, you can easily convert a cooler into a
hot box. Crank your oven to 400°, wrap a brick in foil and bake
for half an hour. Carefully remove, wrap in an old towel and place
in the bottom of the cooler. Add the hot food and you'll be able
to keep it that way for several hours. |
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Picnic Checklist
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- picnic blankets or other ground cloths
- napkins and paper towels
- eating utensils - forks, knives, spoons, plates, cups,
bowls, etc.
- a small cutting board or portable plastic cutting mat
- salt and pepper
- trash bags for clean up
- water and beverages
- insect repellent
- umbrella (if you have it, you won't need it, so be sure
to bring one along)
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- can and bottle opener, corkscrew
- a sharp knife
- serving utensils - large spoons or forks, serving dishes
- condiments such as mustard, ketchup, relish and mayonnaise
- plastic storage bags for leftovers
- moist towelettes
- flashlight
- portable chairs and tables
- a few dollars for Totes for Tips to haul all your stuff
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