Around the world there are different names for cool boxes, otherwise known as ice boxes. New Zealanders refer to these ice boxes as chilly bins but the Australians have come up with a name for these cool boxes that is quite unique and, when thought about in detail, actually a quite an apt nomenclature. To an Australian, a chilly bin or ice box is known as an esky. One thing you will notice, however, is that esky or not, the spellings vary widely. You could be looking at an esky, an eskie, or eskies, or even eskys. Nevertheless, this name for the ice box actually came from the word €Eskimo' - shortened to €Eski' - and you can see the similarity!

This similarity to the word €Eskimo' aside, insulated boxes being called eskies actually relates to a generic reference to the trademark that belongs to Coleman Brands Pty Ltd. This company make a specific model of insulated cooler box that they marketed under the name Esky. The name stuck and, as some names do, it entered the Australian vocabulary and, from then on, all insulated boxes regardless of the manufacturer, the make or the model of the cool box, it was generically referred to as an esky - spelling not being important! So, regardless of which brand you choose, you will still be the proud owner of an eski.

Nowadays there is a bewildering range of ice boxes on the market. If you are on a tight budget and are unable to afford some of the more expensive high-end products that are produced, there are some extremely cheap insulated boxes that will keep your food cool for a limited length of time. Some of these cool boxes with limited efficiency are certainly cost-effective, often selling for around AUS$15. If that is all you can afford it is probably better to purchase one of these ice boxes than not to have any at all. Of course, you could buy a proper esky. Not the generic one, but the actual esky. These are more expensive but they are the real McCoy.

There are many manufacturers that make a range of models in various shapes and sizes and, although the quality varies. Some function extremely well although the cheaper ones wouldn't keep ice for over a week. Some suppliers have, actually tested various models they make under scientific conditions. One supplier tested various sizes and two of their range kept commercial ice viable until the end of the tenth day. The other sizes were equally efficient, maintaining ice until the end of the seventh day.

However, even if your perishable food is kept fresh and your drinks remain cold for a whole day with your newly purchase cooler then, if that is what you needed, why worry? There's no doubt that a great quality cool box is not a cheap option, but these are insulated boxes that may well last you for the whole of your life. A quality brand name cooler box is the ones that you aspire to when you can afford to treat yourself. In the meantime there are plenty of other ice boxes that will keep your food and drink cool more than adequately and at a cheaper price.