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Collapsible baskets are incredible practical when it comes to baskets that you don’t use every single day such as picnic baskets. But picnic baskets are more than simply glorified collapsible market baskets, they feature additional goodies such as insulation, a drawstring type opening / closure and more. When choosing a model, make sure it will be big enough to accommodate all the food and drink as well as the crockery and cutlery needed. Typically you will not carry a picnic basket around for a long time, so choosing a bigger model with enough space should be a no-brainer.
Tips for making the most out of your picnic basket
There are a few things you should know to get the most out of your new, collapsible picnic basket. One thing what you always have to remember is that cold air sinks and warm air rises. So, when packing your new picnic hamper it makes sense to put the ice blocks on top and not in the bottom of the basket. If you do that the air will circulate naturally and keep all your food and drink cool. Another cool trick (please forgive the pun 
) is too freeze drinks that are in cartons beforehand. This way they serve as additional cooling elements whilst on the way to the picnic. Please never dry this with glass bottles, you will end up with a horrible mess in your freezer!
Packing your picnic basket
Generally speaking heavy and sturdy items should go in the bottom and light and fragile ones on top. Better still is to put delicate food in containers. Don’t pack the basket too tightly, you want the air to be able to circulate so that everything stays cool. See above for reasons. If you are short in space you should consider what really needs to go into the cool picnic basket and what can go in a normal backpack instead.
Food for a picnic basket
Depending on how long your journey will be, the outside temperature and other factors, you might re-consider taking certain food types with you that tend to get bad quickly. For example, homemade mayonnaise is a big no-no, the eggs used are a real breeding ground for bacteria and therefor homemade mayonnaise requires a continuous refrigeration from production to just before serving. So please, for picnics use ready-made mayo to prepare your pasta and potato salads. Similar concerns are valid for meat that has not been cooked completely, especially pork and chicken.
