Gander Mountain PermaChill coolers deliver reliable performance with rotomolded construction and freezer-grade gaskets designed for serious outdoor enthusiasts.
These coolers feature 7-day ice retention, bear-resistant designs, and heavy-duty components perfect for camping gear setups and extended trips.
Gander Mountain PermaChill Cooler Models
The PermaChill line included multiple capacity options from compact day-trip sizes to expedition-grade models for extended adventures.
All PermaChill coolers featured polyurethane insulation, rubber D-seal gaskets, integrated hinges, and oversized 2-inch drain plugs for easy cleaning.
PermaChill 20-Quart
Capacity: 5 gallons / 20 liters
Weight: 15 pounds empty
Compact cooler perfect for day trips, fishing expeditions, or solo camping. Single flex-grip stainless steel handle provides easy solo transport. Holds 24 cans with ice for weekend adventures.
PermaChill 50-Quart
Capacity: 12.5 gallons / 50 liters
Ice Retention: 7 days rated
Mid-size cooler with integrated bottle opener and ruler on lid for measuring fish. Lockable lid with tie-down slots. Freezer-grade gasket provides tight seal for extended ice retention during weekend trips.
PermaChill 70-Liter
Capacity: 70 liters / approximately 74 quarts
Features: Bear-resistant when locked
Large capacity cooler comparable to premium brands but priced approximately $100 less. Rotomolded construction with rubber D-seal. Stainless steel locking tabs secure lid. Dimensions: 18.7″H x 32.9″W x 19.1″D.
PermaChill 80-Quart
Capacity: 20 gallons / 80 quarts
Ice Retention: 12 days rated
Heavy-duty expedition cooler with maximum capacity for extended hunting trips and group camping. Bear-resistant certification with proper locking. Lockable lid and multiple tie-down slots for secure transport in truck beds.
PermaChill Soft Coolers
Capacity: 24-can tote style
Best For: Portability and day use
Waterproof exterior fabric with closed-cell foam insulation. Adjustable shoulder straps and multiple pockets. Comparable to premium soft coolers at fraction of price. Collapsible for easy storage when not in use.
Replacement Parts
Available Components: T-latches, gaskets, drain plugs
Compatibility: Fits 50L, 70L, 120L models
Black stainless steel construction replacement latches available. Lid gaskets ensure continued airtight sealing. Gasketed drain plugs prevent leaks. Five-year manufacturer guarantee covered replacement parts during warranty period.
PermaChill Cooler Construction Features
Gander Mountain engineered PermaChill coolers to compete directly with premium brands using similar manufacturing processes and materials.
Rotomolded Body: Single-piece construction eliminates seams and weak points. The rotomolding process creates uniform wall thickness with superior impact resistance compared to injection-molded alternatives.
Polyurethane Insulation: Pressure-injected foam fills all voids between inner and outer walls. This commercial-grade insulation maintains internal temperatures far longer than budget cooler foam.
Freezer-Grade Gasket: Rubber D-seal gasket runs entire perimeter of lid. Creates airtight seal preventing warm air infiltration and cold air loss when properly latched.
Integrated Hinge: Molded-in hinge eliminates failure points associated with bolt-on hinges. Prevents lid separation even during rough handling in truck beds or boats.
Oversized Drain: Two-inch gasketed drain plug allows rapid water removal. Threaded design prevents loss. Located on side panel for easy access without tipping large coolers.
Performance Comparison: Users reported PermaChill 70L performed comparably to similarly-sized Yeti and Pelican models in ice retention tests while costing significantly less. The 50L model maintained ice for 36+ hours in 80°F temperatures during actual field use.
PermaChill vs Premium Brands
Gander Mountain positioned PermaChill as value alternative to established premium cooler manufacturers.
Side-by-side comparisons with Yeti Tundra models showed minimal visual differences. Both brands used rotomolded construction, rubber latches, and similar hinge designs.
Price difference typically ranged from $80-120 less than comparable Yeti models. PermaChill 50-quart retailed around $200-250 versus $350+ for Yeti Tundra 45.
Build quality matched premium competitors with thick walls, heavy-duty latches, and reinforced rope handles. The main compromises involved fewer color options and minimal extra features like built-in bottle openers.
Ice retention performance tested favorably against top brands. Users consistently reported 5-7 days ice retention in real-world conditions with proper pre-cooling and ice-to-contents ratios.
Choosing the Right PermaChill Size
Capacity selection depends on trip duration, group size, and whether you need one cooler or prefer separating drinks from food storage.
20-Quart Model: Solo day trips, kayak fishing, or as secondary beverage cooler. Holds enough for one person’s full-day supplies. Lightweight enough for one-person carry even when loaded.
50-Quart Model: Sweet spot for 2-4 people on weekend camping trips. Accommodates food and drinks for 2-3 days. Still manageable for two-person transport when full.
70-Liter Model: Best for serious hunters processing game or week-long expeditions. Large enough for meat storage or extended food supplies. Requires two people for transport when fully loaded.
80-Quart Model: Maximum capacity for guides, large groups, or base camp operations. Holds full deer quarters or week-plus food supplies. Primarily designed for vehicle transport rather than portability.
Maximizing PermaChill Ice Retention
Proper preparation and packing techniques extended PermaChill performance from rated capacity to exceptional real-world results.
Pre-Cooling Protocol: Fill cooler with ice 24 hours before departure. Drain meltwater, then load with fresh ice and pre-chilled items. This process drops insulation temperature significantly.
Block Ice Foundation: Place large ice blocks on bottom. Add cubed ice between items. Block ice provides sustained cooling while cubed ice offers immediate temperature reduction and fills gaps.
Layering Strategy: Ice on bottom, then beverages, followed by food packages, topped with more ice. Separate raw meat in sealed containers. Keep frequently accessed items near top to minimize lid opening.
Two-Cooler System: Use separate coolers for drinks (opened frequently) and food (opened rarely). This approach dramatically extends food cooler ice retention by reducing warm air intrusion.
Location Management: Park coolers in shade whenever possible. Cover with wet towels in direct sun. Wet evaporation provides additional cooling effect in hot conditions.
PermaChill Cooler Accessories
Gander Mountain offered limited but essential accessories for PermaChill cooler owners.
Replacement T-latches used black stainless steel construction compatible with 50L, 70L, and 120L models. These replacements maintained secure closure after years of hard use.
Lid gaskets ensured continued airtight sealing. Rubber gasket replacement maintained original ice retention performance when seals wore from extended use and harsh weather exposure.
Gasketed drain plug replacements prevented leaks at the most common failure point. Threaded design secured plug during transport and prevented loss.
Ice blocks designed specifically for PermaChill coolers used Arctic Ice phase-change materials. Refrigerator blocks maintained cold temperatures while freezer blocks provided deep-freeze performance.
Real-World PermaChill Performance
Field reports from hunters, anglers, and campers demonstrated PermaChill coolers delivered on manufacturer claims.
RZR forum users documented 36-hour ice retention after overnight pre-cooling with mixed beverage loads in 75-80°F ambient temperatures during all-day trail riding.
Hunters reported successful 5-7 day hunting trips with adequate ice remaining for meat preservation. Proper pre-cooling and block ice use proved essential for maximum retention.
Camping families found the 50-quart size ideal for weekend trips supporting 4 people. The balance between capacity and portability made it manageable without compromising performance.
Comparing against premium brands, users noted minimal performance differences despite significant price advantages. The PermaChill line delivered 85-90% of premium cooler performance at 60-70% of the cost.
PermaChill Cooler Availability
PermaChill coolers are available through select retailers specializing in outdoor equipment and cooler products.
Replacement parts including T-latches, gaskets, and drain plugs remain available for 50L, 70L, and 120L models to maintain performance.
When evaluating PermaChill coolers, inspect gaskets for proper sealing. Check latches for secure engagement and hinge integrity. Verify drain plug threads securely with intact gasket.
Premium Alternative: Orca Coolers
For outdoor enthusiasts seeking similar quality to PermaChill coolers with current manufacturer support, Orca provides exceptional American-made alternatives.
Orca coolers use rotomolded construction with 2-2.5 inch wall thickness and industry-leading ice retention up to 10 days. Testing shows Orca maintains USDA-safe food temperatures for 6.7 days and beverage-cold temperatures for 7.3 days.
Unique mesh cargo net on backside provides storage for frequently accessed items like bottle openers, koozies, and utensils. Flex-grip handles offer comfortable transport for one or two people depending on load.
Orca offers extensive size range from 20-quart personal coolers to 400-quart expedition models. Most popular sizes include 58-quart (46 cans with ice) and 80-quart (holds 2 baskets or 3 dividers) for versatile packing options.
Lifetime warranty covers manufacturing defects. Customer service reputation exceeds many competitors. Made in USA with available customization options including colors and accessories.
Orca pricing falls in middle of premium tier—more than budget brands but competitive with Yeti and Pelican. The combination of performance, warranty, and American manufacturing justifies investment for serious outdoor users.
Cooler Maintenance for Longevity
Regular maintenance extends cooler life and prevents common failure points regardless of brand.
Post-Trip Cleaning: Drain completely and wash interior with mild soap and warm water. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubbers that damage plastic surfaces and gaskets.
Gasket Care: Wipe gasket clean after every use. Apply food-grade silicone lubricant annually to maintain flexibility and sealing performance. Replace gaskets showing cracks or permanent compression.
Hinge Maintenance: Inspect integrated hinges for cracks. Avoid opening lid beyond natural stopping point. Never force lid open if latches still engaged.
Latch Inspection: Verify latches engage fully and release smoothly. Replace any latches showing excessive wear or failure to maintain closure. Keep latch contact points clean.
Storage Protocol: Store coolers with lids propped open using spacer blocks. This allows air circulation preventing mildew and odor development. Keep in dry location away from direct sunlight.
Related Outdoor Equipment
Complete your outdoor setup with quality gear from our outdoor equipment collection for hunters, anglers, and campers.
Browse fishing gear including rods, reels, and tackle boxes that complement cooler storage for successful fishing trips.
Explore camping gear with tents, sleeping bags, and camp furniture for complete outdoor comfort during extended adventures.
Check out hunting gear including game processing equipment and field dressing supplies that work alongside cooler meat storage.
Shop sporting goods for outdoor accessories that enhance your cooler setup and outdoor adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sizes did Gander Mountain PermaChill coolers come in?
PermaChill coolers ranged from 20-quart compact models to 80-quart expedition sizes. Popular models included the 50-quart for weekend trips and 70-liter for extended adventures. Soft-sided coolers held 24 cans for day use. Each size featured rotomolded construction and freezer-grade gaskets for maximum ice retention.
How long did PermaChill coolers keep ice?
PermaChill coolers provided 7-day ice retention for mid-size models and up to 12 days for the 80-quart size under optimal conditions. Real-world performance showed 5-7 days in actual field use with proper pre-cooling and ice management. Users reported 36+ hours ice retention even in 80°F temperatures during active outdoor use.
Were PermaChill coolers bear-resistant?
PermaChill coolers featured integrated hinges and stainless steel locking tabs that provided bear resistance when used with padlocks. The 70-liter and 80-quart models included lockable lids with tie-down slots. While not IGBC-certified like some competitors, the rotomolded construction and locking capability deterred wildlife access.
Where can I find PermaChill replacement parts?
Replacement parts including T-latches, gaskets, and drain plugs are available for 50L, 70L, and 120L PermaChill models. Many universal cooler parts fit PermaChill coolers due to standard sizing. Check with outdoor equipment retailers specializing in cooler accessories and replacement components.
How did PermaChill compare to Yeti coolers?
PermaChill coolers used similar rotomolded construction, rubber gaskets, and integrated hinges as Yeti models. Performance testing showed comparable ice retention despite costing $80-120 less for similar sizes. Main differences included fewer color options and limited extra features, but core cooling performance matched premium brands.
What is the best alternative to PermaChill coolers?
Orca coolers provide exceptional alternative with American manufacturing, lifetime warranty, and proven ice retention up to 10 days. Similar rotomolded construction with unique cargo net storage. Extensive size range from 20-400 quarts covers all needs. Premium quality with competitive pricing and outstanding customer service support.
What should I look for in a PermaChill cooler?
Inspect gasket for proper seal without tears or compression failure. Verify latches engage fully and release smoothly without excessive force. Check hinge integrity shows no cracks or stress marks. Ensure drain plug threads securely with functional gasket seal. Examine interior and exterior for structural integrity affecting insulation performance.
How do I maximize ice retention in my cooler?
Pre-cool cooler with ice 24 hours before use. Use 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio with block ice on bottom and cubed ice filling gaps. Keep cooler in shade and cover with wet towel in sun. Minimize lid opening by using separate drink and food coolers. Drain meltwater regularly but leave small amount for continued cold conduction.
Premium Cooler Performance
Modern rotomolded coolers deliver exceptional ice retention for extended outdoor adventures.
Whether choosing PermaChill on secondary markets or investing in Orca’s current lineup, proper maintenance and packing techniques ensure maximum performance.
Quality coolers represent long-term investments lasting decades with proper care. The combination of durability, ice retention, and bear resistance makes premium coolers essential for serious hunters, anglers, and campers.
