Frequently Asked Questions

Facts & Figures

The cooler has an internal storage capacity of 24.3 US quarts (23 liters). The internal storage has dimensions of W 16.3" x D 8.3" x H 10.5" (W 415 x D 212 x H 268mm) and has rounded corners on the side walls equal roughly to the size of a standard drink can. This equates to 36x standard cans (12 fl oz / 335ml), with enough space for 2x Oyster Tempo Ice Packs in the bottom. Slimline cans or cans larger than 12 fl oz will have a different storage factor.

The cooler Tub’s external dimensions are W 17.9" x D 9.8 x H 12.6" (W 45.4 x D 25 x H 32 cm). When you include the mounting frame and handle, the dimensions at the extremities measure W 20.1" x D 11.8 x H 12.6" (W 51.2 x D 30 x H 32 cm). The external volume of the cooler is just 37 quarts (35 liters).

The Tempo cooler including the carry handle weighs around 12.1lbs (5.5kg). Due to the nature of the insulating core material, there can be small variations in total product weight of around 1-2%.

The Tempo can carry loads of up to 88lbs (40kg). A Tempo 23 fully-loaded with 36x cans, 2x ice packs, and the cooler itself will weigh around 44lbs (20kg). So unless you are filling your cooler with lead pallets then, we’ve got you covered.

Each Unimount is designed to individually withstand vertical loads of 110lbs (50kg). There is no need to over-tighten during tie-down of the product: we recommend non-stretch rope or tie-down straps and tightening until the tie-down is nice and taut only.

The cooler can take loads of around 220-260lb (100-120kg) on the lid so there should be no problem using it as a seat. While it is also possible to stand on the lid, we really don’t recommend this as the cooler’s relatively small footprint can make it unstable on uneven surfaces or with sudden movements.

Oyster Ice Packs each contain around 22 fl oz (650ml) of active ingredients. The material within the Ice Pack has a melting temperature of 28.4°F (-2°C). This is slightly lower than pure water which has a melting temperature of 30°F (0°C). The lower temperature has been chosen specifically such that the perceived storage temperature in the cooler remains roughly between 35.6-39°F (2-4°C) during usage. This keeps the cooler contents under food safe limits for refrigerated goods. For this reason, we have written 39°F (4°C) on the Ice Pack.

Tips and Tricks

Quick start: How should I use the Tempo cooler?

Preparation:

  • If the cooler has been stored outside in the sun, take it in and open the lid to cool down 30 mins before packing your contents. It’s completely fine if you don’t have time for this, but this will extend your storage time.

  • Check the cooler contents are clean and dry

  • Use already-chilled drinks and food where possible; cooling down cold-storage

    contents from room temperature requires a lot of energy and will be an unnecessary drain of the Thermal Batteries.

Packing:

  • Place most temperature sensitive goods in the bottom of the cooler

  • For extended storage time, use the Thermal Batteries in the bottom of the cooler

Usage:

  • Try to keep the cooler out of the sun where possible - this extends storage time

  • Keep lid closed when not accessing the contents

After use:

  • Clean away any moisture or food residue and wait until dry

  • Place any used Thermal Batteries back in the freezer for re-charging

  • Store the Tempo cooler in a cool and dry spot ready for your next adventure

There are two main factors that will affect the usable storage time when using a cooler.
The most important factor is the difference in temperature between the air outside and the contents on the inside of the cooler. A bigger difference in temperature will reduce the time the cooler can keep the contents chilled. The second most important factor is the amount of chilled contents inside, including food and drinks, ice, Thermal Batteries etc. The more the cooler is filled with chilled contents, the more this will help to maintain a stable temperature inside the cooler.

That was the simple explanation, but now we get a little technical. All coolers have insulating properties that give them their own specific rate of heat transfer between inside and outside. But this heat transfer rate multiplies with each degree of temperature difference. As a simple example, if you have a temperature of 4°C inside the cooler and an outside temperature of

14°C, this gives you a 10°C temperature difference. If the outside temperature then increases to 24°C, the temperature difference is now 20°C, or 2x what it originally was. This will mean that the actual heat loss will also be 2x what it was before and the cooler will only keep the contents cold for half the time. To combat this, more ice contents can be used to balance out the increased temperature difference.

Yes, any ice pack will help to keep the Tempo colder for longer, though Oyster's own Ice Packs have been designed specifically to fill the entire bottom surface of the Tempo cooler and with a low-profile to minimize use of valuable storage space. The large surface area in contact with the base of the storage compartment maximizes heat transfer to the aluminum inner shell. Our Ice Packs also have a melting temperature slightly lower than pure water in order to maintain the internal storage space at a temperature at or as close to food safe temperature 39°F (4°C).

Yes, depending on your specific usage you may not need to use any Ice Packs (or ice) at all! Many day trips with the Tempo work completely fine without any Ice Packs. But this all depends on the outside temperature, how much food and drink you are keeping cold, and how cold it needs to stay over the duration of the trip. Generally speaking, the less food and drink you have in your cooler, the more susceptible it will be to change in temperature and the higher the chance you will need a Ice Pack to maintain a stable internal temperature.

Of course. But if you have access to a freezer and are planning for a shorter trip of 1-3 days, then you really shouldn’t need to and we strongly recommend using Ice Packs instead. Melted ice leaves your food wet and soggy, sloshes around when you carry the cooler, and is a mess to empty at the end of your trip. If you must use ice, we recommend keeping the ice in a water-tight bag placed in the bottom. This will make cleaning at the end of your trip much easier. Using ice cubes can be a hard habit to break, but we promise it is worth it!

No, you don’t. Pre-cooling is a concept that came about to combat heavy, thermally-sluggish plastic hard coolers that required a lot of thermal energy just to cool them down, long before the job of keeping your food and drinks cold even starts. The reason the Oyster Tempo does not need pre-cooling is due to two things: the specific materials chosen for the shell walls and core insulation, and the total weight of those materials. Our internal shell is made of aluminum. By weight, aluminum requires roughly 2.5x less thermal energy than Polyethylene (the most typical hard cooler shell material) to affect a change in its temperature. Aluminum also transfers thermal energy very efficiently. That combination means that very little energy is used from the Thermal Battery (or ice) to cool down the Tempo’s internal storage, and that that energy transfer happens very quickly; within just a few short minutes. We call this thermal agility.

All 1st Edition Tempo Cooler bundles are supplied with both a rigid metal carry handle and an adjustable, flexible nylon carry strap. These two can be easily exchanged according to your intended usage. The rigid handle is handy for short carrying distances such as to-and-from the car. For carrying longer distances the strap is perhaps a better option; where it can be slung over your shoulder and leave your hands free.

The cooler is designed with Unimount attachments on each end of the Tub for mounting of different carry options. To mount the metal Carry Handle, place it sideways, below the frame and move it into place so the two openings on each end are stretched over the Unimount. Make sure the plastic spacer parts are in place and that the handle sits correctly in the Unimount. Then use the two quarter turn Unimount Keys to lock the handle in place at both ends.

The process of mounting the Strap is similar to the metal Carry Handle. Check that both Strap Mount parts are correctly positioned in the Unimount, with the plastic spacers before locking in place.

The Tempo cooler has two Unimount fastening points on each end of the cooler. This is both for mounting of different carry options but can also be used as a tiedown point for installing the cooler on a boat deck or other surfaces in motion.

Yes, just like a plastic hard cooler, the metal shells will also get hot when in direct sunlight. Our advice is to always try to place a cooler out of direct sunlight where possible. This is the single most important external factor for extending the storage time of a cooler when using it outside. And this applies to any type of cooler; plastic, metal or fabric. If you are interested to know more about this, please read the section below about surface temperatures.

Cleaning & Maintenance

The anodized aluminum surface can be wiped clean easily. We recommend cleaning the cooler’s internal storage with a damp cloth after use. Then simply wait for the inner storage surfaces to air dry before closing the lid. This will ensure it is fresh, clean and ready to go when your next adventure comes around. For larger spills or food leftovers, use a paper towel to first soak up excess spills and then warm soapy water to wash and wipe off any residue.

We recommend basic cleaning the ice pack with a dry cloth after use to remove any moisture from condensation. For spillages or food residue, the ice packs can be hand-washed in warm water with detergent then rinsed in clean water. Make sure to dry off excess water on the outside of the Ice packs before placing them in the freezer, to avoid unnecessary frozen water droplets on the outside of the ice packs. This will also minimize condensation buildup in the storage compartment when using your cooler next time.

Sometimes it can get windy at the beach, and sand can get everywhere. If you hear scraping noises coming when opening and closing the latch, there may be some sand trapped in there. This can often be rinsed out with water. Failing that, the latch and Latch Pins can be removed completely from the lid for a deep clean and reinstall.

Sometimes life can get messy and so can your Tempo. If you have spilt food or drinks that can’t be removed by a damp cloth, it may be time for a deeper clean. Most of the parts of the tub can be removed for cleaning. Firstly, remove the 4x pins holding the Lid Fix parts to the Tub Frame. Then pull the Seal off the flange edge of the tub and frame.

Once all parts are separated, they can be individually cleaned. The Seal is made from a closed cell foam EVA material that can be washed in warm water. The Lid Fix parts can be washed in hot water. The Metalized Barrier that sits under the Seal can also be wiped clean with a warm, damp cloth.

We do not recommend putting the Tempo in the dishwasher. Dishwasher detergents contain chemicals that are extremely alkaline (high PH) and are very harsh to the aluminum surface.

Troubleshooting

This problem is likely caused by a Unimount Key Pin that has shifted and is no longer centered. Typically you will see this as a Unimount Key that does not sit straight in the Unimount, but is instead at an angle.

Firstly, do not force the Key if it feels stuck. It should be able to be installed and removed with relatively low force, but will remain solidly in place during use. To fix a Key not locking out, rotate the Unimount Key so that the TEMPO text is vertical, then gently pull outwards to remove the Key from the Unimount. Inspect the Pin position. If it is not centered, simply push the pin back into a centered position with a thumb or finger and try again.

Our insulating core material has a quirky characteristic. When under vacuum, the core material will become very rigid and the tub and lid will have an audible resonance when you strike it. It will sound almost like an empty metal box. A punctured box or lid, on the other hand, will sound very different. The sound is completely dead and muffled. If you suspect your cooler may be punctured, this is the first test we would try.

In some instances in our 1st Edition Tempo, the small snap-fit spacers fitting around the mounting points for the handle and strap can pop out during installation on to the Unimount. If this happens, take the two spacer pieces and re-fit them over the hole. They will snap back into place. If they have fallen off and you cannot find them, get in touch with us and we can arrange replacement parts.

A punctured tub or lid is luckily quite rare and if you suspect your box is punctured, get in touch so we can verify and help replace the part for you.

General information

Vacuum-insulated is a general term describing the primary method of insulation for a container, and simply means there is extremely low air pressure between the walls.

Most people have heard of a Thermos or thermo-flask. These have a construction where the intermediate space between the inner and outer shell walls has been pumped down (by a vacuum pump) to a very low pressure; well below 1/1000th of normal atmospheric pressure. This gives very high insulating properties.

The Tempo cooler also has a very low pressure between the inner and outer shell walls created by vacuum pump-down. In addition, we use a semi-rigid insulating core material called Fumed Silica between the walls. This structure helps supports the and walls under low pressure and stops them from collapsing.

One of the most important design decisions we have made with this cooler is how to best strike the balance between thermal performance, weight and durability. The primary driver for the Tempo cooler is thermal performance. This in turn has informed the design decisions made around weight and durability. The cooler walls in the Tub and Lid are made from a 1mm (3/64”) thick aluminum sheet. Whilst the internal insulating core under vacuum provides a very rigid sandwich construction support for the inner and outer shells, dents and scratches can still occur in the shell during normal usage. This is normal and should not affect function. Compared with a thick-walled, rotational-molded and PU foam-filled hard cooler, the Tempo performance cooler is more prone to cosmetic marks. But while dents and scratches can happen, rest assured that the construction is extremely resistant to puncture of the vacuum chamber itself. We have carried out extensive torture testing during our R&D process and while there have been many instances of cosmetic dents and scratches, there have been very few instances of puncture and loss of vacuum.

The aluminum shells and frame parts all go through multi-step forming operations to go from flat sheets of aluminum to a finished part. This process will leave its mark with some minor surface imperfections, process marks and matte or shadow areas. These marks are completely normal and have no effect on the function of the parts. In fact, we like to embrace these imperfections as a testament to the living nature of the metal.

Between the Inner and Outer aluminum shells on both the Tub and the Lid lies a part we call the Barrier. This is a custom stack of materials that both maintains the vacuum as well as limiting thermal transfer between inner and outer shells. The adhesive used on the barrier is designed to absorb impacts, vibrations and movement in temperature extremes, especially at low temperatures. Immediately after the vacuum production process, small cosmetic wrinkles appear in the metalized layer due to settling of the adhesive film on the substrate. This is normal and does not affect performance or longevity. The surface can also be uneven in the area between the inner and outer shells due to the organic nature of the compressed powder core insulation. This is also completely normal.

No, the Tempo is not certified bear proof and has not been tested for this.

There is no drain plug on the Tempo cooler. The cooler is designed specifically for use with Ice packs or no ice (payload only). A drain plug requires a through-hole connection between the inner and and outer shell walls which significantly increases heat transfer at that area. To empty water from the Tempo first remove the lid entirely and then tip the tub upside down to drain the water. 

No, the Tempo is not designed to have a water tight fit between the lid and tub when closed.

Yes, the insulation technology will work for keeping items warm when the outside temperature is cold.

The Tempo cooler has an internal height of 26.8cm (10.5in) so will generally not fit standard wine bottles standing up. Though all standard wine bottles, including tall white wine bottles, can be stored lying down.

We will soon be releasing an Ice Pack designed for Frozen goods, which will have a melting temperature of 3.2°F (-16°C).

The Tempo has a surprisingly small external form factor; taking up only 35L. This means the cooler can comfortably fit into boot storage of even the smallest cars on the market. The narrower width of the product also means it can fit behind the front seat in many vehicles. As a bonus, the Tempo also fits perfectly into the frunk storage of all current Tesla vehicles.

The use of dry ice in general is dangerous and is not recommended with the Tempo cooler for several reasons:

  1. The metal construction coupled with extremely low temperature of the dry ice are a dangerous combination that can very easily lead to frostbite or thermal burns to the user.

  2. Dry ice has a temperature of -110°F (-79°C). That’s seriously cold. Unless you are transporting vaccines, then you don’t actually want your cooler anywhere near this temperature.

  3. The high thermal conductivity of the aluminum means that the low temperature of the dry ice can also quickly spoil foods and other contents to a much larger degree than with plastic coolers.

  4. Dry Ice goes through a process called sublimation (going from a solid directly to a gas) when increasing in temperature. This process can result in a dramatic increase in air pressure when kept in a sealed volume (ie: inside the cooler with lid closed). This can create high pressure in the container and opening the lid can subsequently release high concentrations of CO2, which can be harmful for human respiration.

The Tempo’s serial number is located directly under the Lid Fix part on one of the long sides of the Tub. This serial number is what you will need for any discussions or warranty claims with us. It will help us trace the final production date and component versions. Note that the Lid also has its own separate serial number relating to its specific production date. These two serial numbers for Tub and Lid are scanned and logged in our production database during our final assembly and inspection.

Our solar radiation testing indicates equivalent or slightly lower surface temperatures for sun-exposed surfaces of the Tempo when compared to light coloured HDPE coolers, when measured with an infra-red thermometer.
Because aluminum is an extremely good conductor of heat, the perceived temperature will be higher when you touch the outer shells, though the actual temperature will be roughly the same or less. It is important to note that only the actual measured temperature will affect thermal performance. The perceived temperature is related specifically to human touch and safety.

These tests were conducted in an external environment with little to no wind. If the cooler is exposed to even mild natural airflow from wind, the aluminum will be cooled via active convection; acting like a heat sink.

Our testing indicates that our metal parts remain below the threshold for safe surface contact up to and beyond 40°C (104°F) air temperature.

Effects of Solar Radiation Absorption @ ambient 32°C (90°F)
 

Front / Sun Facing

Side (Half shade)

Rear (Full shade)

Oyster Tempo

50°C

44°C

36°C

White HDPE Cooler

57°C

36°C

32°C

Dark Grey HDPE Plastic

71°C

-

32°C

Our thermal testing has been carried out in internal environments where we have good control over the ambient temperature. All temperature readings are taken as in-air readings (not surface mounted thermocouples or wireless sensors). Measuring the air temperature is the best way to gauge actual temperature distribution on the cooler.

Yes, really.
By weight, the Tempo cooler consists mainly of two main materials: The shell construction is made from 100% recyclable aluminum, and the insulating material between the shells is a inert and completely biodegradable powder material, that can also be reclaimed and reused in new products if a product fails.

The entire cooler has been designed in such a way that the parts can be disassembled as individual parts, and almost all small parts can be disassembled by the user without any tools. While there are some plastic components in the product, these constitute around 3% of the total product weight and have been specifically designed as clean material blends without additives and without any additional processing such as co-molding or gluing; processes that affect a plastic’s ability to be recycled at end-of-life.

Where glue is used, it is used sparingly, and only between aluminum components. This means it can be more easily separated out during recycling and allow full reclaim of the raw aluminum.

But the ability to recycle at end-of-life is only the start. We are also planning a product refurbishment scheme where working parts can be reused in new products. Looking further ahead, we are also looking at alternative raw material options for all parts. Either through use of pre- or post-consumer scrap, through sourcing of sustainable raw material alternatives for plastics, or solutions that otherwise reduce embedded energy at the component level. This process will require significant testing, supplier-level R&D, economies of scale and 3rd party auditing to achieve, so for now what we have is a robust and highly-upgradable framework to build upon where energy consumption over the life cycle of the product can be optimized.

We have carried out considerable thermal testing of the Tempo cooler, including lots of benchmarking with other comparable products. Based on tests where we measure internal air temperature of the cooler, the Tempo consistently achieves a stable internal temperature that remains roughly one third of the temperature of best-in-class plastic hard coolers when you use 0°C as the baseline temperature. For example, if the air temperature in the Tempo is roughly 4°C then a hard cooler will often be roughly 12°C. We call this "3x colder". This performance claim is not an exact science but is rather something we use to quickly explain the benefits of our construction; specifically how it quickly adapts to the storage temperature from starting room temperature, and how it maintains that lower temperature over time.

When we say no ice, this can either mean storage with no ice cubes or ice packs at all (chilled contents only), or with ice packs instead of ice cubes; something we call dry storage. The Tempo cooler's construction means that you will never need to use ice cubes, and in some short trip storage situations, you will not even need ice packs either. But in most usage situations where you require medium to longer storage times, or where outside temperatures are extreme, using ice packs will extend your storage time noticeably. Ice packs are higher-density ice (no air pockets around the loose ice cubes). Because of this you can fit the same weight of ice into a much smaller volume compared to ice cubes. Ice packs are also self-contained and provide you with dry storage (no need to seal your foods and other perishables in bags). If you are on a roadtrip and ice cubes are your only option, we would recommend putting the ice in a sealed bag or container to keep the compartment dry.

 

Payment, Shipping & Returns

We accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and VIPPS. Please note that the available payment methods may change depending on your region. We do not accept cash on delivery.

We offer free returns within 30 days of the date you received it. Please make sure you put items back in their original packaging before you send them back to us. The product must be unworn and unwashed, with hang tags attached, and accompanied by proof of purchase. All products are subject to inspection once we receive them.

Once we receive your item, a refund is initiated immediately. All major credit card providers generally take 5-7 business days to process your refund before it appears in your bank account.

The best way to change your order is to contact our support or simply give us a call during our business hours. If an order is shipped, we won't be able to make any changes to your order and you would need to place a new order.

Carrier tracking would provide you with up-to-date information about your package. If it gets stuck or never gets delivered to you, please contact our support and we can assist you with the next steps.
Orders are processed in the order we receive them unless you've chosen expedited shipping. You can track your order status on a tracking page & also signup for alerts on a courier website.
Chances of receiving defective item is very rare but it could happen. Please take pictures of a product which shows defect clearly & contact our support to check if it's eligible for replacement.