Crack the lid and put a towel inside.

Yes. The main trick is to keep moisture from freezing inside the plastic.

Coolers don’t crack because it’s cold. They crack because water gets into the seams or between the lid and body, expands when it freezes, and pushes the plastic apart. So you want to make sure the cooler is bone dry, and then keep it from sealing shut.

Store it with the lid slightly open — shove a piece of cardboard, a rolled-up towel, or a plastic bottle cap between the lid and the rim. That lets air circulate so condensation doesn’t form. Toss a dry rag or a silica gel pack inside to absorb any residual humidity.

If you have a heated garage or a basement, that’s ideal. But if it has to live outside, this method works fine.

A $3 fix saves a $50 cooler.