You've planned the menu, packed the stylish plates, and are ready to stuff the cooler for the Fourth of July picnic.
Regarding that cooler, we've some advice: Keep it cool. Very cool.
Dangerous bacteria begin to grow on food once a cooler warms up to 40 degrees. People often cannot taste, smell or see when most foods have become contaminated, so practicing safe packing and cooling tips is essential.
For starters, don't let your food sit out on the picnic table for more than two hours, or one hour if the outside temperature is above 85 degrees. Stick to this adage: "When it doubt, throw it out."
In addition, consider this list of food and drink storage tips next time you fill a family-size cooler for a weekend getaway.
Cooler packing tips
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● Place ice inside the cooler for about an hour before loading, then pack food directly from the refrigerator or freezer.
● Put an appliance thermometer in the cooler for extra precaution.
● Pack two coolers. It is best to have a cooler for beverages and a separate cooler for perishable food. The food cooler will stay colder longer because it is typically opened less frequently. You also might want to consider a third cooler of ice to replenish the other two.
● Place pre-made sandwiches in individual plastic sandwich storage containers or fill a big container with bags of sandwiches. Or pack the meat, vegetables and condiments separately and make sandwiches at the site.
● Food cooler: Keep foods dry and safe from cross-contamination by placing them in air-tight bags or sealed plastic containers. Put highly perishable foods directly next to packs of ice.
● Beverage cooler: Pre-chill drinks in the refrigerator. Use crushed ice because it's better at insulating each can or bottle, and do not drain cold water left by melting ice. The cold water preserves the remaining ice.
● A full cooler will remain colder longer than a half-empty one. Fill empty spaces with ice and ice packs, and top everything with a layer of that combination.
● Keep perishable foods in cooler until just before serving.
● Store utensils and nonperishable foods elsewhere to save room in the cooler and avoid contamination.
The hard, cold facts
● Crushed ice: Separate a big bag of ice into smaller plastic bags and disperse the bags throughout the cooler to better distribute cold air.
● Block of ice: A solid block keeps food colder for longer periods of time than bags of crushed or cubed ice. Place the block of ice at the bottom of the cooler and perishable foods directly on it.
● Frozen water bottles: Bottles of frozen water not only keep coolers cold, but they also provide fresh water for consumption once they melt. Bottles or plastic jugs of frozen water also are less likely to break or leak than plastic bags of crushed ice. Fill bottles or milk jugs about 1 to 2 inches from the mouth of container to allow for expansion when water freezes.
● Ice packs: Ice substitutes last longer than individual bags of crushed ice or frozen peas, but make sure the pack is made with non-toxic coolants. Place ice packs in plastic bags in case they break.