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How To: Turn an Old Stump into a Cooler
Austin, Texas

Here's Ana again, who's got an idea about what to do with an eyesore. Take a look and give us your thoughts in the comments
atla-071508-AnaStump1.jpgWhen Jody moved into her 1960s ranch in Northeast Austin, she was at a loss as to what to do about a huge stump at the edge of her patio. Removing it would've been expensive and time-consuming, so she decided to make the best of it. Since she often hosts backyard barbecues, she realized it would make the perfect cooler...

 
 


She got out her chain saw (talk about no fear of power tools) and sliced away chunks of wood that were jutting into the stump's main cavity.
atla-071508-Anastump3.jpg
Then she used a heavy duty garbage bag to hold the ice ...
atla-071508-AnaStump4.jpg
... and added locally produced beer, including Shiner and Independence ale.
atla-071508-Anastump5.jpg
(If you try this yourself, don't forget the safety glasses since wood chips can be unpredictable.)

-- Ana

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AT Austin, How To..., stump

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Comments (21)

mm Shiner. this is awesome! and very texan :)

posted by karenwog on 2008-07-15 15:29:54
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Smart, very smart. I live in Bastrop and will do the same thing with an old stump I have out here. I prefer Harp Lager or Heineken but hey to each his/her own as long as it is sweating cold. Nothing beats a Texas summer heat than a icy cold beer as you watch the sunset behind the Live Oaks.


Thanks

posted by click212 on 2008-07-15 15:42:52
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I think I'd like it if the liner was something more attractive than a black trash bag.

posted by Jessimuhka on 2008-07-15 16:12:12
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Ditto on the lining - I don't have a stump to play with but if I did I'd probably tar the inside and paint/decorate the rim.

posted by Lenny on 2008-07-15 16:25:33
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:-D that is a fun solution.

posted by maike on 2008-07-15 16:29:06
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Why not just put some river rock in the bottom to keep the beer/ice from falling through...then put the ice in and the beer and enjoy the day. Why is a liner needed at all - just let the water run away.....

posted by rvrlvr on 2008-07-15 16:44:28
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Ditto on the liner yet again... maybe you could just tuck it in. The idea, though is... cool! (Sorry, I had to.)

posted by whytephoenix on 2008-07-15 16:53:21
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The trashbag is just a temporary solution. The stump can always be painted and lined with another sort of reusable material (vinyl tablecloth, silver tarp) to make it more aesthetically pleasing. Jody just wanted to see if it would work. And lots of people have stumps in Texas since plenty of trees (like mesquites and pecans) grow like weeds and interfere with power lines and pipes. I saw a neighbor using a stump in the front yard for a planter. And if the stumps are a little taller, you could always attach a top and use it as a table.

posted by palindrome on 2008-07-15 16:59:17
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Only in Texas, Baby!

posted by Marcee-ah on 2008-07-15 18:15:00
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Nothing sexier than a black garbage back sticking out of a stump... yes sir.

posted by Mr. Oswald on 2008-07-15 18:26:56
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Can't you just put the ice straight into the stump? Why do you need to line it at all? It would look way better. Don't hide the stump!

posted by megbot on 2008-07-15 18:50:06
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Uh, isn't the stump a home for rodents and bugs? If you put the ice right in the stump wouldn't you be flooding rodents and insects out of their homes?

Don't get the wrong idea. I'm not a rodent or insect lover. I was just wondering. Wouldn't it be easier to just place a garbage can next to your trailor and put the ice in that?

I'm assuming that if you're using a stump for a cooler that this isn't a real CLASSY affair. Hence, the garbage can suggestion.

Weasel Dearest is Mr. Dangerous

posted by Weasel Dearest on 2008-07-15 19:15:11
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Sorry, but I'm not loving this idea. But kudos to you for thinking outside the box!

May I suggest using it as a planter instead? Before doing that, though, the stump would need to be hollowed out a bit more.

posted by nerdnik on 2008-07-15 19:50:36
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I like the idea but not the black bag.
I think that if the stump was cut level across the top-a metal/plastic tub would fit over the hole & help to elevate the drinks to a convenient height.

posted by MoJonson on 2008-07-15 20:13:33
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I didn't think the stump was an eyesore until a plastic bag full of beer was put in it. Yuck.

I second the making it a planter idea.

posted by Orchid64 on 2008-07-15 20:27:58
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jeez oh pete! what about utility? A plastic cooler doesn't look great either but it certainly serves a function. I like the way it looks and would definitely use it during a cookout or such.

posted by notyou on 2008-07-15 20:37:26
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I have a stump like that and did make a planter. Looks pretty cool and it also helps the tree rot a bit more for hopefully easier removal. One day.

Interesting idea tho.

posted by Janella13 on 2008-07-15 22:04:11
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I'm thinking, get a nice decorative clear container (I'd lean towards a punch bowl maybe?). Put those nice rounded river rocks in the bottom of the stump, put in the container, nestle more rocks around it, and use that.

posted by kuroneko on 2008-07-15 22:23:19
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I don't know, without the trash bag I think it'd look awesome and be really fun at a party. I like the planter idea too - we have a neighbor who did that with one of hers and it's beautiful.

posted by theseboots on 2008-07-16 01:12:50
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Since we're talking tree stump here, deep six any lining at all, fill it to overflowing with ice, and let the melting ice do its thing, which would be to get absorbed by the stump. It would still outlast an all night party, and it would look really terrific. Also, more eco friendly w/out the plastic bag. Keep life simple!

posted by Aulaire on 2008-07-16 13:55:15
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we had to cut down an old mesquite tree just last week (it was bending the fence and the sap was like acid on our cars) and the stump is huge and cost would be really expensive to yank it out. only thing is its not near our BBQ pit! :\

posted by witchbaby on 2008-07-16 23:38:13
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