It would be great if you could go to the beach or the park with a cooler full of delicious treats. If the weather is hot, you might want to bring some ice cream with you, but how do you prevent it from melting? Luckily, there are a few tricks that can help your ice cream last longer.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using Dry Ice
Step 1. Buy dry ice
You need about 5-10 kg for a 40 liter capacity cooler. You can buy them at supermarkets for around Rp. 10,000 - Rp. 35,000 per kilogram. Dry ice evaporates at a rate of about 2.5-4.5 kg per day. So if you buy it too early, chances are the dry ice will evaporate away.
- Dry ice is usually sold in the form of slabs with a width of 25 cm and a thickness of 5 cm and each weighing 5 kg. You will need one plate for every 40 cm of the cooler.
- You can make your own dry ice by spraying a CO2-filled fire extinguisher on the pillowcase for 2-3 seconds. Wear gloves, closed shoes, and other protective gear if you want to try it.
Step 2. Use an insulated cooler box with air vents
Since dry ice produces steam, make sure the cooler has air vents or valves that allow gas to escape. If the cooler is tightly closed, the pressure inside will rise, causing an explosion.
- If your cooler doesn't have a valve, don't close it too tightly. Leave it open a little.
- Dry ice is usually packaged in plastic or polystyrene containers.
Step 3. Wear thick gloves for handling dry ice
Dry ice can cause hands to “burn” (because caused by a temperature of -78 °C, this “burn” is actually severe frostbite). Either way, never let your skin come into contact with the dry ice slab when you take the ice cream out of the cooler!
Step 4. Place the ice cream in the bottom of the cooler
Because cold air is moving downwards, dry ice is most effective when placed on top of the food to be cooled. If possible, place dry ice on top of other foods in the cooler.
Step 5. Wrap dry ice in a towel and put it in the cooler
This will insulate the dry ice so it can last longer. Also, the towel will prevent the dry ice from spoiling other food placed in the cooler.
Step 6. Store drinks and other snacks in a separate cooler to prevent them from freezing
Dry ice is strong enough to freeze anything under it. Storing drinks and snacks in separate coolers will prevent them from freezing and help prolong the effectiveness of dry ice.
Step 7. Fill the cooler box to the brim
Free space in the cooler will cause the dry ice to evaporate more quickly. If there's no other food to fit in the cooler, use a towel or newspaper kneaded into a ball to fill the empty space. Or, buy more ice cream!
Close the cooler box well after filling it
Step 8. Place the cooler in the trunk if you are going to take your ice cream somewhere by car
Evaporated dry ice will turn into CO2. In confined spaces such as the interior of a car, the accumulation of CO2 gas can cause you to feel dizzy and even faint.
If there is no space in the trunk, make sure you open the windows or turn on the air conditioner so that fresh air from outside can circulate properly
Step 9. Place the cooler in a place that is not exposed to direct sunlight
Dry ice will last longer if placed in the shade.
Step 10. Let the ice dry at room temperature after you are done using it
Cleaning up residual dry ice is very easy. After you finish the ice cream, simply open the cooler and place it in a well-ventilated area. Dry ice will turn into CO2 and disappear into the air.
Never throw dry ice down a drain, sink, toilet, or trash can. Dry ice will freeze and damage pipes, and there is a high chance of an explosion if the dry ice expands too quickly
Method 2 of 2: Using Plain Ice
Step 1. Use a high quality insulated cooler box
Not all cooler boxes are the same. Different brands use different insulation methods. A good quality cooler such as a Coleman or Igloo will prevent ice cream from melting much better than a disposable polystyrene cooler.
Step 2. Cool the cooler box before filling it
Do not put ice cream in a hot container. Bring the cooler into the room to make it cooler. If necessary, fill with ice cubes to cool it further. When you are ready to pack the ice cream, empty the box and fill it with new ice cubes.
Step 3. Place the ice cream at the bottom of the cooler
Items placed in the bottom of the box will stay cold longer. Foods that don't need to be frozen can be placed on top. Do not put anything hot in the cooler as the temperature inside must be kept as cold as possible!
Step 4. Freeze large blocks of ice to slow down the defrosting process
Use a large saucepan to make larger ice cubes. The larger the size of the ice cube, the longer it will last and the longer the ice cream will melt!
Step 5. Add a layer of salt to the ice to slow down the defrosting process
The salt helps slow down the rate of melting of the ice. In fact, salt was used to make ice cream in ancient times! Sprinkle 1-2 handfuls of salt directly on the surface of the ice.
Step 6. Put the ice cream in a thermal bag or freezer bag before placing it in the cooler
Reusable thermal bags are often used by convenience stores to keep warm food warm and cold food cold. Try placing the ice cream container in a thermal bag first, then placing the bag in the cooler and covering it with ice cubes.
Step 7. Fill all the empty spaces in the cooler box
Free space will cause the ice in the cooler to melt faster. If necessary, insert a towel to fill the box completely.
Step 8. Always keep the cooler box closed
The more often you open the cooler, the faster the ice inside will melt. It is recommended to store drinks in a separate cooler as people tend to need drinks more often.
Step 9. Try placing the cooler in the shade
This can be difficult if you're out in the open, but try placing it behind a chair or under an umbrella to keep it cool.
Warning
- Always store dry ice in a well-ventilated area.
- Wear gloves when touching dry ice.
- Keep dry ice out of reach of children and pets.
- Never swallow dry ice.
