Written by Adam Brooks
Last Updated: 28th July 2026
An Honest Disclosure
This site is reader supported Some links in this guide might be affiliate links to Amazon If you buy something through them I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you I never accept free products or payment for positive reviews You can read my full affiliate disclosure here
We have all been there You pack up your coolbox on a Thursday night drop in a couple of cheap blue plastic blocks you found at the back of the freezer and head off By Saturday morning your bacon is swimming in lukewarm water and your milk has gone sour It is incredibly frustrating and a massive waste of food
When it comes to non electric cooling your setup is only as good as the cold fuel you put inside it Upgrading to proper high density gel packs or specialized structural blocks completely transforms how your cooler performs
Pairing these with a good build from our recent passive coolboxes review guide means you can keep fresh meats safe for days without needing a complex power source Let us look at the best ice assets on the UK market right now
My Top Recommendations in Brief
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1
Editor Choice (Best Overall Hard Block): Campingaz Freez Pack M20 Safe non toxic food grade gel that stays frozen far longer than water bricks
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2
Best Space Saving Slim Blocks: Thermos Weekend Ice Packs Perfect slim profile modules designed to slide into tight side slots
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3
Best Premium Sub Zero Powerhouse: Cooler Shock High Performance Gel Packs Shipped dry but handles extreme phase change freezing parameters
Quick Jump to Recommendations
My Detailed Ice Pack Reviews
Material: Food Safe Rigid Gel
Weight: 400g per block
Dimensions: 20 x 10 x 3 cm
Best For: Family weekend trips
Editor Choice Best Overall Hard Block
Campingaz Freez Pack M20
This classic hard shell block from Campingaz is an absolute staple for a reason Unlike cheap unbranded versions filled with standard water the M20 contains a dense food grade non toxic gel formula that delays defrost loops significantly
The rigid plastic outer casing keeps its shape perfectly without bowing out when frozen allowing it to sit flat on the floor of your cooler hold It is reliable inexpensive and built to survive years of being tossed around in the bottom of family gear crates
Pros
- Dense gel holds temperature loops incredibly well
- Safe certified food grade non toxic casing
- Highly durable structural polymer outer shell
Cons
- Takes a solid twelve hours to prime freeze fully
- Fixed block shape lacks flexible wrapping capabilities
Material: Slim Profile Polypropylene
Weight: 200g per block
Dimensions: 15 x 8 x 1.5 cm
Best For: Tight packing setups
Best Space Saving Slim Blocks
Thermos Weekend Ice Packs
The single biggest issue with massive cooling blocks is that they eat up valuable storage volume inside small coolers This multi pack bundle from Thermos completely solves that dilemma with a sleek ultra thin design profile
At just fifteen millimetres thick you can easily slide these down the internal side walls or sandwich them vertically right between food storage containers They freeze up incredibly fast in home setups making them perfect for quick spur of the moment weekend trips
Pros
- Ultra slim footprint saves main cooler space
- Primes quickly in standard home freezer units
- Great price value for a multi piece set
Cons
- Thinner structure means they thaw out quicker on long trips
- Lacks the structural mass needed for big ice boxes
Material: Phase Change Material Flex
Weight: 800g when hydrated
Dimensions: 25 x 25 x 2.5 cm
Best For: Multi day wilderness tracking
Best Premium Sub Zero Powerhouse
Cooler Shock High Performance Gel Packs
If you want to push your passive insulation gear to match dry ice performance limits Cooler Shock is the definitive market option These packs are shipped to you as dry flat canvas pouches containing a specialized phase change powder formula
You simply add water at home shake to turn it into a dense gel matrix screw the plug cap shut and seal it permanently with an iron Once frozen they drop down to aggressive sub zero temperatures that keep meat frozen solid across multiple hot summer days They are a revelation for off grid camping setups
Pros
- Achieves aggressive sub zero thermal parameters
- Flexible canvas composite skin transfers cold efficiently
- Keeps gear completely dry without raw ice slush
Cons
- Requires a bit of initial home faff to fill and seal
- Can accidentally freeze delicate salad items placed too close
Material: Heavy Duty High Density Polyethylene
Weight: 1.1kg per block
Dimensions: 32 x 24 x 3.5 cm
Best For: Deep insulation base layers
Best Large Heavy Duty Core Blocks
Tourit Long Lasting Ice Packs
For large family coolers you need pure mass to fight off ambient heat infiltration loops These massive slabs from Tourit weigh over a kilogram each and act like structural bedrock cooling foundations inside large coolbox models
The high density shell handles intense drops and impacts perfectly Placing two of these massive blocks flat along the very base of your cooler compartment creates an efficient steady cold rising zone that keeps everything above it reliably safe for up to forty eight hours straight
Pros
- Massive structural cold reserve handles large storage spaces
- Extremely heavy duty impact resistant outer construction
- Stays chilled across standard long holiday intervals
Cons
- Requires significant storage room inside home freezers
- Adds notable weight to portable transport systems
The Science of Packing a Cold Cooler
Buying premium blocks is only half the battle won If you throw them carelessly into a coolbox on top of warm supplies they will still fail early To get genuine multi day performance from your non electric setups adopt my core management layout strategy
- The Bottom Foundation Cold air naturally falls down Place your largest heaviest blocks like the Tourit slabs flat along the base of the cooler to build a solid refrigeration anchor
- The Vertical Side Slots Use thin modules like the Thermos plates to line the internal perimeter walls This fights off external heat radiating through the plastic shell casing
- Block the Air Space Dead air is the ultimate killer of ice retention Fill any remaining void space at the top of your hold with crumpled clean paper or small freeze sheets to stop thermal circulation loops
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I dump out the liquid from melted ice packs?
If you are using reusable hard blocks or gel packs the fluid is sealed inside permanently and you must never empty it For loose raw ice chunks that melt keeping the cold water inside actually preserves insulation much better than letting warm air spaces fill the void
How many ice blocks do I need for a camping coolbox?
A good general rule is to dedicate roughly one third of your total internal storage space to cooling assets For a standard thirty litre weekend cooler box using four large hard blocks or a full sheet layout works beautifully to hold safe temperatures
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About Adam Brooks
I am Adam the founder of Top Listed Products I am all about practical smart camping that makes life easier That includes finding the best gear and knowing how to use it to make your trip more comfortable from power stations to portable coolboxes
More about me →