Features
- Mounts to inside of cooler lid to minimize loss of storage volume
- Designed to extend ice retention compared with loose ice
- Raised locator tabs for correct positioning
- Included threaded plug for secure attachment to cooler
- Non-toxic, food-safe formulation
- Reusable — intended for repeated freezing and thawing
Specifications
Sku | DXC5IP |
Compatible Cooler | 5 gallon cooler (DXC5GAL) |
Dimensions | 10 × 10 × 1.2 in (25.4 × 25.4 × 3.05 cm) |
Weight | 1.7 lb (0.77 kg) |
Material | Non-toxic, food-safe gel (exact formulation not specified) |
Installation | Position using raised locator tabs on lid; secure with included threaded plug |
Care | Freeze overnight or until solid before first use |
Ice pack intended to attach to the inside of a cooler lid to help extend ice retention. It uses a reusable, freezeable formulation and is shaped to minimize impact on the cooler's storage volume. Raised locator tabs and a threaded plug are provided for positioning and attachment.
DeWalt 5 Gallon Ice Pack Review
A smarter way to keep a small cooler cold
I like accessories that solve a real annoyance without adding new ones. In a 5-gallon cooler, loose ice works but eats up valuable space and tends to get in the way. This lid-mounted ice pack takes a different approach: anchor the cold mass up and out of the storage cavity so you gain time on ice retention without sacrificing volume. After several weeks using it on my 5-gallon DeWalt cooler, I’ve come to appreciate what it does well—and where expectations should be kept in check.
Design and installation
The ice pack is a flat, 10 by 10 inch panel that’s about 1.2 inches thick. At 1.7 pounds, it’s light enough to handle easily and heavy enough to feel like a real thermal battery. The core is a non-toxic, food-safe gel. The outer shell feels like a tough, sealed plastic with smooth edges and tidy seams. It’s clearly intended for repeated freeze/thaw cycles.
Mounting it is straightforward. The cooler lid has raised locator tabs that position the pack, and a supplied threaded plug secures it from the center. I aligned the tabs, pushed the pack into place, and hand-tightened the plug—no tools required. It took under two minutes, sat flush, and didn’t interfere with the lid seal. Once mounted, it becomes part of the lid, not a rattly insert, which is exactly how this should work.
Because the pack lives in the lid, it doesn’t steal floor space in the cooler. You do lose about 1.2 inches of headroom near the lid, which is worth noting if you routinely stack tall containers. For typical day-trip loads—cans, lunch-sized containers, ice blocks—this wasn’t an issue for me.
Thermal performance: what to expect
A reality check first: at 1.7 pounds, this isn’t a replacement for ice in a small cooler. The gel’s thermal mass is closer to a pound of ice than a block. That said, location matters. Mounted to the lid, the pack sits right where heat wants to enter, reducing warm air tumbling down from above and cooling the entire airspace. In practice, it adds hold time and smooths temperature swings, especially during frequent lid openings.
I ran two simple trials during late-summer conditions (mid-80s °F ambient, cooler pre-chilled):
- Day-use load of drinks with 6 pounds of loose ice: without the lid pack, I saw noticeably warm cans by late afternoon. With the pack mounted and frozen solid, the top layer stayed cooler and the overall contents remained drinkable-cold for a couple more hours. The difference was most obvious after multiple lid openings.
- Lunch and perishables with a single mid-size ice block: the pack reduced the temperature “spike” after repeated openings around lunchtime and made the cooler feel less stratified—there wasn’t a warm layer at the top and frosty cold at the bottom.
If you use the 5-gallon cooler primarily as a water jug, the pack helps but won’t make lukewarm water cold on its own. You’ll still want real ice inside for fast pull-down. Where it shines is extending the cold you already have and protecting against heat entering through the lid.
Usability on the job and on the road
- Space efficiency: The lid location is the big win. I can pack the cavity as usual, and nothing slides around to make room for an extra frozen brick.
- Convenience: Because it lives in the lid, I’m less likely to forget it. I keep a “rotation” in the freezer—swap a frozen one in on workdays and leave it installed for weekend trips.
- Lid feel: The extra weight is negligible. The lid still opens one-handed and the latch tension and gasket seal were unaffected.
- Cleaning: The smooth shell wipes down with a sponge. I’ve used mild dish soap and water after dusty jobsite days. No odors picked up, and no staining.
Build quality and safety
The seams are uniform and the plug interface is solid. Over a few weeks of daily use with freeze/thaw cycles, I saw no swelling or softness that would hint at a leak. The gel is labeled non-toxic and food-safe, which is reassuring in a cooler that might carry loose produce or drinks. I still treat it like any gel pack: don’t puncture, don’t use abrasive cleaners, and avoid dishwashers or high-heat drying.
The threaded plug is the only component that could be overzealously handled. Hand-tighten it snugly, but don’t wrench it down. Cross-threading isn’t hard to avoid if you start it gently and feel for proper engagement.
Tips for best results
- Pre-chill the cooler: As with any cooler system, the first rule is to start cold. A quick pre-chill with a sacrificial ice block or by storing the cooler in a cool space overnight helps the pack work more effectively.
- Freeze flat, overnight: Lay the pack flat in the freezer and give it plenty of time. I aim for overnight; by morning, it’s uniformly solid to the touch.
- Pair with real ice: Think of the pack as a top-mounted “assist.” I’ve had the best outcomes coupling it with either loose ice or a block at the bottom.
- Use a cold divider: If your loadout allows, put perishable items under the pack and less sensitive items near the walls. The pack helps keep the top layer honest.
- Rotate packs if possible: Owning two lets you keep one frozen at all times—handy during hot stretches or multi-day use.
Limitations and compatibility
- Cooler-specific mounting: This is designed for the DeWalt 5-gallon cooler. The raised locator tabs and plug position are tailored; it’s not a universal panel you can retrofit in other lids.
- Not a miracle worker: The physics are what they are. A 1.7-pound thermal mass can’t replace a full load of ice. Use it to extend and stabilize the cold, not to generate it from warm contents.
- Headspace trade-off: Tall bottles or stacked containers might press the pack if you pack to the brim. Plan your layout with that 1.2-inch intrusion in mind.
- Unknown gel freeze point: The formulation isn’t specified, so you won’t know exactly how cold it freezes. In practice, it behaves like a standard gel pack—reliable, but not an ultra-low-temp eutectic plate.
Who benefits most
- Jobsite crews who live out of a 5-gallon cooler and open it often. The pack tamps down the top-layer warming that comes with frequent access.
- Day-trippers who want to maximize space for food and drinks without loading the lid area with loose ice packs.
- Anyone who appreciates set-and-forget convenience. Once installed, it becomes part of your cooler routine rather than another loose accessory to chase.
The bottom line
This lid-mounted ice pack is a thoughtfully executed accessory that adds real-world usability to a small cooler. The mounting system is secure and simple, it preserves interior floor space, and it provides a meaningful buffer against heat entering through the lid—especially during frequent openings. Its 1.7-pound mass won’t rewrite the rules of thermodynamics, but positioned where it is, it punches above its weight in maintaining a stable, cold interior.
I recommend it as a supplemental cooling upgrade for the DeWalt 5-gallon cooler. If you already rely on that cooler and you value space and convenience, this pack is an easy, low-fuss way to extend cold retention and smooth temperature swings. Pair it with proper pre-chilling and an appropriate amount of ice, and you’ll notice the difference over a full workday or day trip. If you’re looking for a substitute for ice or a universal plate for other cooler brands, this isn’t it. But as a purpose-built, reusable, food-safe add-on, it earns its keep.
Project Ideas
Business
Event Beverage Station Rentals
Offer sanitized 5-gal coolers pre-fitted with lid ice packs for weddings, races, and job sites. Deliver pre-frozen packs that snap in via the threaded plug, ensuring all-day cold with less ice. Upsell flavor infusions, branded wraps, and on-site swap-outs for multi-day events.
Market Vendor Cold Chain Kits
Sell or lease cooler + lid-pack bundles to farmers’ market cheese, seafood, and greens vendors. Include a simple temp log and spare frozen packs. The space-saving lid pack preserves inventory capacity while maintaining safe temps, reducing meltwater mess at stalls.
Pre-Frozen Pack Exchange Program
Set up a subscription swap at marinas, campgrounds, and jobsite supply stores. Customers drop off thawed packs and receive frozen ones, similar to propane exchanges. Generates recurring revenue, lowers on-site freezers’ load, and drives foot traffic to partner locations.
Branded Cooler Upgrades
Produce custom-printed lid packs and installation on company coolers for promotions and corporate gifts. The raised locator tabs make alignment easy during bulk installs. Bundle with matching coolers and offer volume pricing for contractors, sports teams, and breweries.
Cold Brew Concentrate Microbusiness
Use 5-gal coolers with lid packs to brew consistent, chilled cold brew concentrate for cafes and markets. The low-profile, reusable pack preserves yield and quality without dilution. Package in labeled growlers, offer tasting flights at markets, and sell subscription refills.
Creative
Cold Brew Cooler Conversion
Turn a 5-gal beverage cooler into a cold brew system. Mount the ice pack on the lid using the threaded plug and locator tabs, line the cooler with a large mesh bag for grounds, and brew 12–18 hours. The low-profile pack maintains a food-safe chill without stealing volume, improving flavor clarity and reducing dilution.
Live Bait & Catch Livewell
Convert the cooler into a compact livewell for fishing. Install a small battery aerator on the rim and mount the ice pack in the lid to gently keep water cool without direct ice melt shock. The raised locator tabs ensure the pack clears the waterline and gear, preserving space for minnows or panfish.
Chilled Charcuterie/Picnic Station
Create a tailgate-ready cold serving box. Add a perforated false-bottom tray a few inches above the floor to keep meats, cheeses, and fruit dry while the lid-mounted pack keeps the interior cold. Label zones on the tray and add a utensil caddy on the side for a tidy, transportable spread.
Field Science Sample Cooler
Outfit the cooler as a sample transport kit for water/soil. Mount the lid pack for stable temps, add foam dividers for vials, and a stick-on thermometer for quick checks. The non-toxic, food-safe gel is safer around specimens than loose ice, and you keep full floor space for racks.
Portable Cool-Air Box
Build a campsite comfort fan: cut a small outlet port high on the cooler wall, mount a USB fan blowing out, and let makeup air enter through a filtered intake. The lid-mounted pack chills the internal air volume; the low profile leaves space for desiccant or extra gel packs to boost effect.