How to Store Ice Without a Freezer

Drinks are in the fridge, burgers are on the BBQ, and your party’s about to start—but the ice doesn’t fit in the freezer! This might feel like a disaster, but you don’t have to go without ice-cold drinks or food. You can try a few different ways to keep your ice from melting so you can enjoy your time with friends and family.

Here are 12 different ways you can store ice when you don’t have access to a freezer.

1

Store your ice in the fridge if you’re in a pinch.[1]

  1. Image titled Store Ice Without a Freezer Step 1
    If you don’t have a cooler, a bucket, or a freezer, a fridge can work. Wrap your ice in aluminum foil to trap in the cold, then keep the ice in the fridge.
    • The fridge is too warm to keep your ice frozen for long, but it can work for a few hours until you find a cooler or a bucket.
    • If you bought ice in a package from the store, don’t unwrap it! Leave it in the package so it stays colder longer.
    2. Advertisement
2

Put your ice in a plastic cooler or bucket.[2]

  1. Current Time 0:00
    Duration -:-
    Loaded: 0%
    Stream Type LIVE
    Remaining Time -:-
     
    1x
    This is the perfect solution if you’re on the go. Grab a cooler or a bucket from your local grocery store, then dump your ice in to keep it cold.
    • Most coolers are lined with insulating material so your ice will stay chilly for hours on end.
    • A bucket can work in a pinch, but it’s not as good as a cooler.
    • Depending on the size and material of your cooler, your ice could stay frozen for up to 8 hours.
    • If you have the choice between plastic or metal, always go for plastic. Metal transfers energy faster, so it will melt your ice quicker.
3

Line your container with aluminum foil.[3]

  1. Current Time 0:00
    Duration -:-
    Loaded: 0%
    Stream Type LIVE
    Remaining Time -:-
     
    1x
    It’s all about keeping the heat out! Before you pour your ice into a bucket or cooler, line it with a few sheets of aluminum foil.
    • The shiny foil will reflect the heat and light that could melt your ice.
    • You can do this in conjunction with wrapping a towel around your container. The more insulation the better!
    2. Advertisement
4

Wrap the container in a kitchen towel.[4]

  1. Current Time 0:00
    Duration -:-
    Loaded: 0%
    Stream Type LIVE
    Remaining Time -:-
     
    1x
    More insulation means more cooling power. Once your ice is in a bucket or a cooler, wrap it up in a few layers of towels.
    • If you have any packaging materials, like bubble wrap, you could put that in between the towel and your ice for even more insulation.
    • The air trapped between the layers will help the ice stay frozen for longer.
5

Add salt to your ice to lower the freezing temperature.[5]

  1. Current Time 0:00
    Duration -:-
    Loaded: 0%
    Stream Type LIVE
    Remaining Time -:-
     
    1x
    If the freezing temperature is lower, the ice will take longer to melt. Pour your ice into a container, then shake a liberal amount of sea salt all over to make it a little bit colder.
    • You might even start to see new ice form as the old ice melts.
    2. Advertisement
6

Use a lot of ice so it keeps itself frozen.[6]

  1. Image titled Store Ice Without a Freezer Step 6
    The more ice you have, the longer it will take to melt. While it sounds like a no-brainer, you should always make sure you’re filling your entire container with ice so it can keep itself cold.
    • It’s always better to have too much ice than not enough!
    • If your cooler lid isn’t fitting on properly, siphon some ice out to use in drinks instead.
7

Drain the water as the ice melts.[7]

  1. Current Time 0:00
    Duration -:-
    Loaded: 0%
    Stream Type LIVE
    Remaining Time -:-
     
    1x
    Water is warmer than frozen ice, so it can melt your frozen cubes. As your ice starts to melt, try to drain your container to keep your ice cold.
    • Some coolers have a drainage plug on the side that you can use to pour out your water. Otherwise, just tip your container to the side and let the water drain out.
    • Try to check on your water content every hour or so.
    2. Advertisement
8

Bury your container in the ground if you can.[8]

  1. Image titled Store Ice Without a Freezer Step 8
    The cold soil can help lower the temperature of your container. Use a shovel to dig out a divet in the earth, then place your cooler or your bucket inside.
    • If you’ve wrapped your container in a towel and lined it with foil, you probably don’t need to bury it.
    • This is a great method for camping or outdoor parties.
    • If the air outside is already pretty cold (say, below freezing), you don’t need to worry about burying your container.
9

Put your ice near a fan or AC unit if you’re inside.[9]

  1. Image titled Store Ice Without a Freezer Step 9
    The colder the air around the ice is, the longer it will stay frozen. Keep your ice out of the sunlight, and put it next to a fan or a chilly air conditioning unit, if you can.
    • If the fan or the AC is in a small room, it’s even better. Small rooms stay cold for longer, so they’ll keep your ice chilly.
    • If you’re outside, keep your container of ice in the shade.
    • Move your ice away from any warm objects, like heaters, stoves, or sunny windows.
    2. Advertisement
10

Store your ice in the backseat, not the trunk.[10]

  1. Image titled Store Ice Without a Freezer Step 10
    The trunk of your car can turn into an oven during hot summer months. If you’re traveling with your bucket or cooler of ice, keep it in the backseat, not the trunk.
    • You can also blast the AC to keep your ice cold if you have a long drive ahead of you.
11

Try larger ice cubes.[11]

  1. Image titled Store Ice Without a Freezer Step 11
    The bigger your cubes are, the longer they’ll take to melt. If you really want to keep ice around for a long time, buy it in chunks or blocks instead of cubes.
    • Crushed ice melts the fastest since it’s so small.
    2. Advertisement
12

Make ice with boiled water to it melts slowly.[12]

  1. Image titled Store Ice Without a Freezer Step 12
    Boiling water removes the air bubbles from the ice, leading to denser cubes. The denser your cubes are, the longer they’ll take to melt.
    • Boil your water in a kettle or a pot, then pour it into your ice trays before freezing.
    • You can also use this method to make clear ice for fancy cocktails.

You Might Also Like

Dispose of Rubbing Alcohol
How to
Dispose of Rubbing Alcohol
Stain Laminate Flooring
How to
Stain Laminate Flooring
Remove Urine Odor from Concrete
How to
Remove Urine Odor from Concrete
Operate a Nest Thermostat
How to
Operate a Nest Thermostat
Clean a Carpet by HandHow to Clean a Carpet by Hand
Shovel Snow
How to
Shovel Snow
Current Time 0:00
Duration -:-
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time -:-
 
1x
How to
Clean a Pasta Machine
Use a Bissell ProHeat 2X RevolutionHow to Assemble, Operate, and Clean Your Bissell Proheat 2X Revolution
Run a Household
How to
Run a Household
Fit Mini Trunking Corners
How to
Fit Mini Trunking Corners
Get Your Husband to Help out Around the House
How to
Get Your Husband to Help out Around the House
Store an Exercise Ball
How to
Store an Exercise Ball
Use a High Speed Floor Buffer
How to
Use a High Speed Floor Buffer
Dispose of Dish Equipment
How to
Dispose of Dish Equipment
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://www.redonline.co.uk/food/what-to-eat-tonight/a528527/stop-ice-melting-hack-no-freezer/
  2. ↑ https://sciencing.com/science-projects-keep-ice-melting-7932666.html
  3. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/food/keep-ice-from-melting-in-cooler
  4. ↑ https://sciencing.com/science-projects-keep-ice-melting-7932666.html
  5. ↑ https://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/solutions/faq/why-salt-cools-icewater.shtml
  6. ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/six_tips_to_keep_your_food_safe_during_picnics_and_camping_trips
  7. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/food/keep-ice-from-melting-in-cooler
  8. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/food/keep-ice-from-melting-in-cooler
  9. ↑ https://sciencing.com/science-projects-keep-ice-melting-7932666.html
  1. ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/six_tips_to_keep_your_food_safe_during_picnics_and_camping_trips
  2. ↑ https://sciencing.com/science-projects-keep-ice-melting-7932666.html
  3. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/can-you-really-make-crystal-clear-ice-cubes-by-using-boiling-water-putting-tips-to-the-test-in-the-kitchen-218344

About This Article

Hannah Madden
Co-authored by:
Hannah Madden
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Hannah Madden is a writer, editor, and artist currently living in Portland, Oregon. In 2018, she graduated from Portland State University with a B.S. in Environmental Studies. Hannah enjoys writing articles about conservation, sustainability, and eco-friendly products. When she isn’t writing, you can find Hannah working on hand embroidery projects and listening to music. This article has been viewed 35,117 times.
17 votes - 53%
Co-authors: 8
Updated: August 25, 2021
Views: 35,117
Categories: Featured Articles | Housekeeping
Advertisement