Make This DIY Cooler Hack to Keep Your Gelato Chill All Summer Long

Irene Lee

Irene loves all things DIY, especially if the project involves confetti. She strives to make beautiful things that anyone can enjoy. If she's not immersed in crafting she's probably giggling over an insta-famous corgi or frolicking around Disneyland.

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Jun 22, 2017

Make This DIY Cooler Hack to Keep Your Gelato Chill All Summer Long

Summer is upon us, and it’s officially the best season to treat yourself to delicious frozen desserts. While they’re especially amazing under the bright summer sun, it’s hard to keep them from melting in your hands… and on those adorable sundresses!

We’ve got you covered for all your summer outings! We teamed up with Talenti to share a simple DIY hack to help make eating gelato (or any frozen treat) on-the-go an easy reality.

Talenti gelato and sorbettos are among my favorite desserts. Each flavor is well-crafted with the best ingredients from around the world. Also, as a sucker for good packaging design, I’m a huge fan of their screw-top containers. I can’t tell you how many empty Talenti containers I have in my house to use as storage because it would be shameful.

Such deliciousness needs to be taken care of, don’t you think? This cooler hack allows you to bring your frozen treats on the go while keeping all your pints, toppings, and utensils organized. Read on to find out how to DIY the perfect gelato cooler.

Materials and Tools:

styrofoam
cooler
webbing ribbon
velcro stickers
measuring tape
scissors
utility knife
pencil

Instructions:

1. Measure the length and width of the inside of your cooler. Mark those measurements on styrofoam and cut out.

2. Make sure your piece of styrofoam fits in the cooler. It should be snug, but still easy to take in and out.

3. Place baby food jars and pints on the styrofoam and trace around the bottom rims with a pencil. Cut out circles.

4. Mark the width of the webbing ribbon on a corner of the styrofoam and cut out a slim rectangle the size of the ribbon. Pull the ribbon through the slit and tie a knot. Repeat on the corner across from it to form a handle. Make another handle on the other side of the styrofoam.

5. To make straps for ice cream bowls, measure a piece of webbing ribbon that is two inches more than the width of stack of bowls. Stick pieces of velcro stickers on the ends of the ribbon. Stick the ends on the side of the cooler. Peel off one end of the ribbon to slide in the bowls.

6. Repeat Step 5 to make straps for spoons and a gelato scooper inside the cooler.

7. Fill the cooler with dry ice. Be sure to wear gloves when handling dry ice to not burn yourself.

8. Fill the styrofoam tray with pints and baby food jars. Add sundae toppings in the jars. Place the tray in the cooler and you’re good to go!

Measure the length and width of the inside of your cooler.

Mark those measurements on styrofoam and cut out.

Make sure your piece of styrofoam fits in the cooler. It should be snug, but still easy to take in and out.

Place baby food jars and pints on the styrofoam and trace around the bottom rims with a pencil. Cut out circles.

Mark the width of the webbing ribbon on a corner of the styrofoam and cut out a slim rectangle the size of the ribbon. Pull the ribbon through the slit and tie a knot. Repeat on the corner across from it to form a handle. Make another handle on the other side of the styrofoam.

To make straps for ice cream bowls, measure a piece of webbing ribbon that is two inches more than the width of stack of bowls. Stick pieces of velcro stickers on the ends of the ribbon. Stick the ends on the side of the cooler. Peel off one end of the ribbon to slide in the bowls.