Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Using dry ice
• Method 2 of 2: Use plain ice
• Warnings

There is nothing better than going to the beach or the park with a cool box full of goodies. If it is very hot you may want to bring ice, but how do you keep the ice from melting? Fortunately, there are some tips that can help you keep your ice cream longer.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Using dry ice

1. Buy it about 5-10 kg for a 35 L cool box. You can buy dry ice in most supermarkets for about 1-3 euros per 0.5 kg. Dry ice evaporates at a rate of about 2.5-5 kg ​​per day, so if you buy it too far in advance, you will have nothing left.
   • Dry ice is usually sold in blocks of 25x5 cm, weighing approx. 10 kg. You need one block per 40 cm of the length of the cooler.
   • You can make dry ice yourself by spraying a CO2 fire extinguisher into a pillowcase for 2-3 seconds. Wear gloves, closed shoes, and other protective equipment if you are going to attempt this yourself.
2. Choose an insulated cooler with an air vent. Since dry ice produces fumes, your cooler must have an air vent or a flap that allows the fumes to escape. If your cooler is completely airtight, the vapors will build up pressure, which can lead to an explosion.
   • If your cool box doesn't have a grill or flap, leave the lid slightly open.
   • Plastic and Styrofoam coolers are common options for storing dry ice.
3. Use thick gloves when handling dry ice. Dry ice can burn your skin - those burns from a temperature of -80 degrees Celsius are, in fact, severe frostbite. It is therefore important not to let your skin come into contact with the dry ice when you take the ice out of the cool box!
4. Place the ice in the bottom of the cooler. Since cool air drops, dry ice works best when placed on top of the items to be kept cool. If possible, put the dry ice on top of the other things in the cooler.
5. Wrap the dry ice in a towel and place it in the cooler. This will insulate the dry ice and keep it cold longer. It further helps to protect other things in the cooler from damage from the dry ice.
6. Keep drinks and other snacks in a separate cooler so they don't freeze. Dry ice is powerful enough to freeze anything underneath. So it is good to keep drinks and snacks in a separate cooler to prevent them from freezing. It also helps to extend the life of the dry ice.
7. Fill up any open space in the cooler. Empty space in the cooler ensures that the dry ice evaporates faster. If you don't have enough food to fit in the cooler, you can fill the space with regular ice cubes, towels, or newspapers. Of course you can also just buy more ice cream!
   • Close the lid tightly after you have filled the cooler.
8. Put the cooler in the trunk if you take the ice in the car. When dry ice evaporates, it forms carbon dioxide. In a small, enclosed space such as a car, the build-up of carbon dioxide could cause you to become light-headed or lose consciousness.
   • If you don't have space in the trunk, make sure to open the windows or set the air conditioner to circulate fresh outside air.
9. Keep the cooler out of direct sunlight. Your dry ice will stay cold longer if you keep it in the shade.
10. Leave dry ice at room temperature when you are done. Cleaning dry ice is incredibly easy! Once you've finished the ice, leave the cooler open and place it in a well-ventilated area. The dry ice will be converted into carbon dioxide and evaporate into the air.
    • Never dispose of dry ice in a sewer, sink or toilet. It can freeze and break the pipes, and can even lead to an explosion if the dry ice expands too quickly.

Method 2 of 2: Use plain ice

1. Choose a high-quality insulated cool box. Not all coolers are the same! Different brands use their own insulation method. A high-quality cool box from a brand such as Yeti or Coleman is much more efficient at preventing your ice from melting than a disposable Styrofoam cooler.
2. Cool the cooler before filling it. You don't want to put your ice in a warm cooler. Put your cooler inside to let it cool down. If necessary, you can throw in a bucket of ice cubes to cool it. When you're ready to pack your ice, pour out the ice cubes and put in fresh ice cubes.
3. Place the ice in the bottom of the cooler. The things on the bottom of the cooler stay the coldest. Things that don't need to be frozen can be placed at the top of the cooler. Do not put anything warm in the cool box with ice, the cool box must remain as cold as possible!
4. Make one large block of ice to slow it down. Use a large saucepan or casserole to create a large ice cube. The bigger the piece of ice, the longer it stays frozen and the longer your ice stays frozen!
5. Add a layer of rock salt to the ice to slow it down. Rock salt helps slow the melting of ice. Rock salt was even used to make ice cream in the past! Spread one or two handfuls of rock salt directly over the ice.
6. Place your ice creams in freezer bags in the cooler for extra insulation. Reusable thermal freezer bags are often used in stores to keep hot food warm and cold food cold. Try putting your ice in one of those bags, then putting it in the cooler and surrounding it with ice.
7. Fill up the open space in the cooler. Open space makes the ice in the cooler melt faster. If necessary, use towels to fill the cooler completely.
8. Keep the cooler closed as much as possible. The more times you open the cooler, the faster the ice melts. It might be good to keep your drinks in a separate cooler, as these are usually taken out of the cooler more often.
9. Try to keep the cooler out of direct sunlight. This can be difficult if you are in a place where there is no shade, but at least try to place the cooler behind a chair or under an umbrella to keep it cool.

Warnings

• Always store dry ice in a well-ventilated area.
• Wear gloves when handling dry ice.
• Keep dry ice away from children and pets.
• Never swallow dry ice.