Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Using dry ice
• Method 2 of 2: Using regular ice
• Warnings

What's better than going to the beach or park with a portable fridge full of goodies? If it's hot outside and you want to eat ice cream, but don't know how to keep it from melting, do not rush to despair. There are several ways to keep ice cream longer.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Using dry ice

1. 1 Buy about 4.5–9 kg of ice for a 38 liter refrigerator. Dry ice prices start at about 200 rubles per kilogram. It can be tricky to get in some regions - look online for local manufacturers. Dry ice evaporates at a rate of about 2.3–4.5 kg per day, so if you buy it too early, there will be almost nothing left of it by the time you need it.
   • Dry ice is usually sold in blocks of 25 cm x 5 cm and weighing about 4.5 kg.You will need one block for every 40 cm of the length of your portable refrigerator.
   • Make your own dry ice by spraying a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher on a pillowcase for 2-3 seconds. Remember to wear gloves, closed toe boots, and other protective equipment before doing this.
2. 2 Choose a portable refrigerator with insulation and a vent. Since dry ice turns into steam, the refrigerator must have a vent or valve through which it can escape. If the refrigerator is sealed, the accumulation of steam will increase the pressure inside the container, which can eventually lead to an explosion.
   • If the refrigerator does not have a valve, the lid will need to be left open.
   • Portable refrigerators made of plastic and foam are usually used to store dry ice.
3. 3 Wear thick gloves when handling dry ice. Dry ice can burn hands, although severe frostbite is more likely to occur at -78 ° C. Be that as it may, when removing ice cream from the refrigerator, try not to touch the dry ice blocks!
4. 4 Place ice cream on the bottom of your portable refrigerator. Since cold air is heavier than warm air, dry ice is best placed on top of items that need cooling. If possible, place dry ice on top of other items in the refrigerator.
5. 5 Wrap dry ice in a towel and place in your portable refrigerator. Thanks to this insulation, it will keep it cool for longer. This will also help keep food in your portable refrigerator out of contact with the dry ice.
6. 6 Store drinks and other snacks in a separate refrigerator to prevent icing. Dry ice is cold enough to freeze any food underneath. Separate drinks and snacks from ice cream to keep them warm. This will also prolong the life of the dry ice.
7. 7 Fill all the free space in your portable refrigerator. The more empty space you leave in the refrigerator, the faster the dry ice will evaporate. If there is not much food to eat, fill your portable refrigerator with regular ice or other items like towels or crumpled newspaper. Or just buy more ice cream!
   • Fill the portable refrigerator to the top and snap the lid back on.
8. 8 If you plan to take ice cream on a trip, put a portable refrigerator in the trunk. Dry ice is converted to carbon dioxide on evaporation. In an enclosed space such as a vehicle, carbon dioxide build-up can cause dizziness and even fainting.
   • If there is no room in the trunk, open the windows or turn on the air conditioner to circulate fresh air.
9. 9 Place the portable refrigerator out of direct sunlight. Dry ice will stay cool longer if kept in the shade.
10. 10 When the need for dry ice is no longer necessary, simply put it in a place that is at room temperature. Removing dry ice is a breeze! When you've finished your last ice cream, open your portable refrigerator and leave it in a well-ventilated place. The dry ice will turn into carbon dioxide and dissipate into the air.
    • Do not, under any circumstances, throw dry ice down a drain, sink, toilet or trash can. Dry ice can cause pipes to freeze, burst, or even explode if they dissipate too quickly.

Method 2 of 2: Using regular ice

1. 1 Buy a high quality heat resistant refrigerator. The refrigerator is the refrigerator! Different companies use different types of insulation. A high-quality branded refrigerator is much more effective at keeping the temperature inside than disposable foam.
2. 2 Refrigerate the refrigerator before filling it. Do not put ice cream in a warm refrigerator. Bring the portable refrigerator indoors to cool down. Pour a bucket of ice into the refrigerator to cool it down.When you're ready to load the refrigerator with ice cream, remove the old ice and replace it with new ice.
3. 3 Place ice cream at the bottom of your portable refrigerator. The food in the bottom of the refrigerator will be kept at the lowest temperature. Foods that do not need to be kept frozen should be placed on top of the refrigerator. Do not put anything warm in the refrigerator with ice cream, as the temperature inside should be kept as low as possible!
4. 4 To slow down the melting process, freeze a large block of ice. Use a large saucepan or baking dish to freeze a large block of ice. The larger the ice, the longer it will remain frozen, and the longer the ice cream will not melt!
5. 5 To slow down the melting process, cover the ice with a layer of rock salt. Rock salt slows down the rate of ice melting. Moreover, in the old days, rock salt was used to make ice cream! Sprinkle one or two handfuls of rock salt directly on the ice.
6. 6 For extra insulation, place ice cream in freezer bags. Reusable storage and freezer bags are often used in grocery stores to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Place ice cream in one of these bags, and put that in a portable refrigerator and cover with ice.
7. 7 Fill up any empty space in your portable refrigerator. Empty space in the refrigerator speeds up the ice melting process. To fill the refrigerator completely, fill it with towels.
8. 8 Keep the refrigerator closed at all times. The more often you open your portable refrigerator, the faster the ice will evaporate. Keep drinks in a separate refrigerator as they are likely to be taken out more often.
9. 9 Place the refrigerator out of direct sunlight. This is difficult if there is no shade, but if possible, place the refrigerator behind a chair or under an umbrella to keep it cool.

Warnings

• Store dry ice in a well-ventilated area.
• Wear gloves when handling dry ice to avoid frostbite.
• Keep dry ice out of the reach of children and pets.
• Never eat dry ice.