Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Using a Cooler Box or Ice Bucket
• Method 2 of 3: Making Large Ice Cubes
• Method 3 of 3: Storing Ice Properly
• Tips
• What do you need
• Using a cooler box or ice bucket
• Obtaining large ice cubes

Keeping the ice for longer than a couple of hours, for example, at a party, seems like a daunting task, especially if you have cute conversations with guests and are unable to constantly make sure that the ice does not melt. You may need about one kilogram of ice to cool cocktails. The right method will keep the ice from melting during the party; this method includes a few simple steps outlined below.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Using a Cooler Box or Ice Bucket

1. 1 Use a light container. Look for an isothermal container or ice bucket made of light-colored material that reflects light well. This material absorbs less heat, so it will better keep the ice from melting.
   • In a container (bucket) made of plastic or foam, the ice will not melt for at least one day. A plastic container will reliably protect the ice from melting throughout the evening, unless it is placed in direct sunlight. Do not use metal containers and buckets - metal absorbs heat well, so ice will not be stored in them for a long time.
2. 2 Cover the sides of the container or bucket with aluminum foil. The highly reflective aluminum foil has been scientifically proven to keep ice from melting better than other materials. Place one layer of aluminum foil in a container or bucket before placing ice.
3. 3 Wrap a container or ice bucket with a towel. If you can't get a good insulated container or ice bucket, put ice in an existing container (bucket) and wrap it in a clean towel or blanket. This will slow down the heating of the ice, and it will not melt for at least the first hour of the party.

Method 2 of 3: Making Large Ice Cubes

1. 1 Use boiled water, not plain tap water. Boiling the water before pouring it into the ice mold will reduce the amount of air bubbles inside the ice. As a result, the ice will last longer and will be cleaner and clearer.
   • If you use plastic ice cube trays, let the water cool down before pouring the water into them to prevent the molds from melting.
2. 2 Pour boiled water into large ice cube trays. For larger pieces of ice, use large ice cube trays or muffin tins. Slowly pour water into the molds and place them in the freezer.
   • Crushed ice and small ice cubes melt much faster than large ice cubes and chunks. Larger chunks of ice have less surface area in relation to their volume and mass and therefore require more heat to heat them.
3. 3 Place a towel in the container or bucket before placing the ice cubes. It insulates the ice from the walls and helps keep the temperature cool. For better thermal insulation, you can lay out the walls of the container with bubble wrap, and then lay a towel on it.
   • After filling a container or bucket with ice, be sure to cover it with a lid so that the warm air from the outside does not enter it.

Method 3 of 3: Storing Ice Properly

1. 1 Store ice in a cool place. Find the coolest place in the room (for example, under a fan or air conditioner) and place a container of ice there during the party. Avoid places that are exposed to direct sunlight; place the container in a shady place under a tree or canopy. Do not place hot food or barbecue grates next to the container or bucket.
   • The ice will absorb heat from the surrounding air, so place the ice container away from various heat sources.
2. 2 Use medicinal frozen ice packs to prevent ice from melting. They will keep the container from heating up and the ice will not melt until the very end of your party.
   • If you are using a large container, you can use plastic bottles as ice containers by freezing the water directly in them. After placing the bottles in a container, cover them with ice on all sides.
3. 3 Refill your ice stocks often. This will help you know that you have fresh ice to cool the container and prevent the rest of the ice from heating up and melting.
   • As long as you use a good container with good thermal insulation and have placed large ice cubes in it, you don't need to check the condition of the ice too often.

Tips

• One way to chill drinks is to add salt to the container on top of the ice. If you want your drinks to stay cool for a long time, add water and salt to the ice - the drinks will cool better, but the salt will cause the ice to melt. Thus, this method is good for chilling drinks, but do not use it if you want to avoid melting the ice.

What do you need

Using a cooler box or ice bucket

• Nice cooler container or ice bucket
• Towel or blanket

Obtaining large ice cubes

• Kettle or stove with a saucepan
• Large ice cube trays or muffin cups
• Ice container
• Towel or bubble wrap