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I don’t know about you but the thought of warm beer makes me cringe. So unless I somehow learn to acquire a taste for that (just not happening), I always make sure I have a trusty cooler with me at any tailgating event. You probably feel the same way and that’s why you’re checking out a couple of Pelican 50QT Elite Cooler reviews to determine whether it’s worth the buy or a piece of junk.
Well, you can end your search here! That’s because at Simply Tailgating, we make it our business to tell you everything you need to know about this cooler in our Pelican 50QT Elite Cooler review. We found a couple of shocking truths so you may want to read along carefully!
About Pelican Products:
Company Highlights
- Company Name: Pelican Products, Inc.
- Product Name: Pelican 50QT Elite Cooler
- Corporate Website: Pelican.com
- Headquarters: Torrance, CA, USA
- Founders: Dave & Arline Parker
Pelican Products is a global manufacturer of protective cases, temperature-controlled packaging solutions, rugged gear and portable lighting systems. The company has been around since the mid 70’s and they’re headquartered in Torrance, California, USA.
Pelican 50QT Elite Cooler Construction and Design:
Specs
- Exterior Dimensions (width, length, height): 30 x 20.3 x 20.4 inches
- Volume: 52.87 qts (50.03 liters)
- Can Capacity: 38 cans, 47 lbs of ice
- Weight: 26.39 lbs (12 kg)
- Construction/Materials: Stainless steel hardware, Polypropylene exterior
- Insulation Thickness: 2 inches of polyurethane insulation
- Ice Retention: Up to 8 days
- Shelf Life of Food: Up to 5 days
- Keeps Beverages Cold: Up to 8 days
With coolers, there’s always more to them than what meets the eye. So let’s take a closer look at what exactly makes up the Pelican 50QT Elite Cooler:
Polypropylene & Stainless Steel Construction – The cooler is made of a stainless steel plate housed inside a polypropylene body. These materials are lightweight and durable, justifying the 26 lbs overall weight.
Molded Handles – You have durable molded handles on each side, made of stainless steel on the inside and a polypropylene molded exterior. The gripped handles make carrying the cooler a pretty comfortable experience.
Press & Pull Latches – Press and pull latches keep the lid tightly locked in addition to making opening and closing the cooler a breeze. These latches improve its ice retention capabilities as well, assisting the freezer-grade seal to keep the inside desirably cool.
Molded-In Locking HASP & Bottle Opener – Rounding out the cooler’s impressive features is a molded-in locking HASP doubling up as a bottle opener for convenience and additional utility.
Additional Features
- Tethered Threaded Plug & Sloped Drain
- Rubber Non-Skid Feet
- Pressure Relief Valves
- Available in shades of red, blue, green & tan
- Other size ranges available in series: 20QT, 30QT, 45QT & 70QT
Pelican 50QT Elite Cooler Insulation Ability:
The Pelican 50QT Cooler can retain over 40 lbs of ice for around 8 days in temperatures as high as 90°F. This is all thanks to the 2 inches of polyurethane insulation and a freezer-grade seal, in addition to the polypropylene exterior.
Pelican 50QT Elite Cooler Portability:
It may not have wheels but the Pelican 50QT Elite Cooler sure does have a couple of features that make it ideal for the road. It’s lightweight, measuring a little over 20 lbs when empty. The molded handles are pretty strong and comfortable at the grip. Again, the polypropylene exterior is lightweight but strong, so it’s ideal for the uncertain outdoor conditions.
Pelican 50QT Elite Cooler Durability:
With Pelican offering a “you break it, we replace it. Forever!” condition on the 50QT Elite Cooler, you can safely say they’re pretty confident with their products. So they’ll simply replace the cooler in case of breakage, but don’t expect the unit to go down without a fight. The polypropylene exterior won’t break by a simple fall. But be sure to handle it with care as the latches and seal may loosen up with time.
Pelican 50QT Elite Cooler Ease of Use:
It shouldn’t be a problem figuring out how to use the Pelican 50QT Cooler. Just push the press and pull latches to pop it open and add ice and beverages. The non-slip grip feet reduce movement and sliding, while the heavy duty hinge system adds to the lid’s durability while working the lid. You also get four cup holders on the lid for your tumblers. There’s also a drain with a latched cap at the bottom for easier cleaning.
Pelican 50QT Elite Cooler Visual Appeal:
The Pelican 50QT comes in 10 different color variations. It may look bulky and curvy but this high-end unit does look durable. The polyurethane insulation on the inside feels pretty strong, in addition to the swelly, rugged, polypropylene molded exterior. A company logo with a couple of specs imprinted on it rounds up the overall look of the cooler. It’s also made in the USA, and it is one of the few high-end coolers manufactured locally.
Pelican 50QT Elite Cooler Warranty:
With the Pelican 50QT you get a lifetime warranty against breakages. They’ll simply replace your unit if it cracks or breaks. But the warranty doesn’t cover normal wear and tear, including loosening of the seal and gasket.
To ensure your warranty issues are handled smoothly, we would recommend buying it on Amazon.com where you are guaranteed reliable customer service and easy returns.
Pelican 50QT Elite Cooler Accessories:
There’s always something extra you can add to your tailgating equipment to make them even more interesting and fun to use. So with the Pelican 50QT Elite, you can add the following accessories:
You can get these accessories on Amazon.com and take advantage of deals and offers, such as the FREE Guaranteed 1-3 Day Delivery if you’re a Prime member.
Pelican 50QT Elite Cooler Replacement Parts:
If you received your item broken or are unsure of the quality of your purchase, Pelican says they’ll either replace the whole unit or refund you in full. However, they’ll only do so if your return meets their conditions. But you’ll need to do so within 15 days of purchase. They don’t replace individual parts of the Pelican 50QT Elite at the time of writing this review.
Pelican 50QT Elite Cooler Cost:
The Pelican 50QT Elite goes for around $300. To stand the best chance of getting the best price, definitely check it out on Amazon.com. You can even save on shipping and get it fast if you’re a Prime member with the Free Guaranteed 1-3 Day Delivery.
What Do We Like?
Great Ice Retention – The cooler will keep your ice solid for about 8 days. That’s quite a while especially if you intend to use it over a weekend. It’s a great addition to the party if you love your beverages all chilled and frosty.
Durable – It definitely does look and feel strong and sturdy, with customers saying the unit doesn’t break, bend or dent easily. The lifetime warranty is definitely reassuring and it’s also rated as bear-proof by Pelican!
Pelican 50QT Elite Cooler Complaints:
We always promise both sides of the coin. So here’s the one outstanding complaint about the cooler to determine whether it’s a worthy buy or pass:
It may leak – A few customers experienced leakages after continued use. It appears the problem is the drain plug, and in some cases the lid gasket leaks if you tilt the cooler. So you may want to check whether these parts leak before going on to own your unit.
Other Coolers to Consider:
If you think your money is better spent on a different cooler, here are a couple of Pelican 50QT Elite Cooler alternatives you can consider:
Should You Buy The Pelican 50QT Elite Cooler?
The Pelican 50Qt Elite Cooler is designed for extreme ice retention of up to 8 days which is quite impressive. The secure and convenient press and pull latches make it user-friendly. You also have molded handles, a bottle opener, anti-skid legs, stainless steel hardware, built-in cup holders, all that weighing just over 20 lbs. However, a handful of customers experienced leakages so you may want to watch out for that. All the same this USA-manufactured unit is well worth the price tag based on its features and user experience.
So if you’re on the hunt for a tailgating cooler, the Pelican 50QT Elite is well worth the buy. You can check it out on Amazon.com for the best prices and deals, such as the Free Guaranteed 1-3 Day shipping if you’re a Prime member.
Best Features:
- Great ice retention
- Durable
Worst Features:
- It may leak
Well, show’s over folks! Thanks for reading my Pelican 50QT Elite Cooler review. Would you buy this cooler? Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below. In case of any other questions, please visit the product’s Amazon page for answers.
Cheers!
Chris