The machine is impressive: With a storage capacity of 65 litres, the Pionnière cooler, from Quebec-based Genie, is a powerhouse. The thing, which is frankly bold, can be intimidating… especially if you're the only one who has to move it after it's filled.
In the heart of summer, when the desire to enjoy the good weather on the grass, in the shade of trees, or by the riverside is in full swing, keeping your food cold can sometimes be a sporting feat especially if you are planning a long walk outside, or even a camping trip.
In order to achieve maximum freshness of food, Genie relies on a solid construction: the particularly thick walls aim to achieve maximum insulation, as does the aerogel injected into the lid. The test also proved that the food inside was always fresh, even after a few hours inside.
In addition to the (very) large storage space, there is another space, this time in the lid, which allows you to store non-perishable goods, for example plates, utensils, etc. In short, everything you need to prepare or enjoy the meal you spend in the main section.
Furthermore, this main section is accompanied by a recessed light, for better visibility in dark environments, or even after dark. Seeing a screwed compartment containing what we said was the mechanism for ensuring the electrical supply of this device, we had the right to expect something potentially complex, but in reality, there was only space to insert three AA batteries. Why, in this case, do we go so far as to protect everything with four screws? But this little light is certainly not the essential accessory that would convince us to buy this cooler.
What led to most of the questions, in fact, was the addition of a sort of shelf around the handle, which extends, like a suitcase, to allow the cooler to be pulled on its wide wheels. Said shelf can be used in an inclined manner, to act as a backrest, if you decide to use the top of the cooler as a seat.
But this tablet also has cup holders. To use them, however, it is necessary to place everything in a horizontal position. Ironically, this journalist missed it for a long time, because he did not understand that the handle, the handle of which extends depending on the position of two small metal rods that are fixed in the holes provided for this purpose, can be “reduced” beyond the position of the lowest of these rods, so that the opposite end of the handle presses against the edge provided for this purpose, which ultimately leads to the optimal position of the cup holders.
This small moment of confusion aside, there's really nothing negative to say about the Pionnière cooler, except for its size itself, about 70 x 70 x 43 cm, all of which already weighs a certain amount. If you fill the thing to the brim, perhaps in anticipation of a nice meal with friends in the park, or a stay in the woods, you'll definitely have to use the retractable handle and wheels, or even call someone else to move everything.
For $450, the Pionnière cooler, with its very high quality construction, is ideal for events involving large quantities of food and other items that need to be kept cold, or for extended stays outdoors. If Genie denounces the obstacles to the manufacturing sector in Quebec, the company proves that, despite everything possible, it delivers very good results.
