How to Keep Ice from Melting

Using a Cooler or Ice Bucket

Use a light colored container. Look for a light-colored cooler or ice bucket that is made of reflective material. Light colors absorb less heat, and will help to keep your ice from melting. A cooler or ice bucket made from nylon or Styrofoam will keep the ice cool for at least the day. A plastic container will keep ice cool overnight, as long as it is not placed in direct sunlight. Avoid metal coolers and buckets, as they hold heat and will not keep your ice from melting for a long period of time.

Line the cooler or bucket with aluminum foil. The reflective surface of aluminum foil is scientifically proven to keep ice from melting longer than other materials. Before you put the ice for the party in the cooler or bucket, place one layer of aluminum foil in the container.

Wrap the ice bucket in a towel. If you don’t have access to a good cooler or ice bucket, put the ice in the container and then use a clean towel or blanket to wrap the container. This will keep the ice cold for longer and prevent your ice from melting within the first hour of the party.

Making Larger Ice Cubes

Use boiled water, instead of tap water. Boiling the water before putting them in the ice trays will reduce the number of air bubbles in the ice. This will make the ice last longer and appear more clear and less hazy. If you are using plastic ice trays, let the water cool slightly before pouring it in the trays so you don’t melt the trays.

Pour the boiled water in large ice trays. Go for bigger ice trays to make larger ice cubes, or use a muffin pan to make ice chunks. Pour the boiled water evenly over the tray or pan and place it in the freezer. In fact, crushed ice and small ice cubes melt a lot faster than larger ice cubes and a large block of ice. Large pieces of ice have a reduced surface area, relative to their mass (or density), so they are less exposed to the warm air around them and less prone to melting.

Place a towel in the bucket or container before putting it in the ice cubes. This will insulate the ice and keep it cold. You can also use bubble wrap and then a towel in the container to keep the ice insulated and less prone to melting. You should also place a lid over the bucket or container, once it is full of ice, to prevent exposure to air and to keep the ice from melting. Success cooling drinks for a backyard bash. "I hosted a huge backyard BBQ last summer with about 80 people. Following the tips here to use a big cooler and wrap towels around the ice kept all the sodas ice-cold, even in 95° heat! My family was so impressed I pulled it off." - David L. Conduct successful science experiments. "I'm in 8th grade and used this article to design my science fair project on ice melt times. The stuff about insulation and surface area helped my experiment go perfectly! I won 1st place, so thanks wikiHow — you really saved me." - Daniel S. Understand the science behind cold storage. "I never realized how insulation and exposure to air make ice melt faster. This article explained it in a way I actually get. Now I know how to keep drinks chilled for parties so I don't have to refill the coolers constantly and can enjoy the fun!" - James S. Create refreshing cocktails for a sophisticated soirée. "I hosted a fancy cocktail party last month but didn't want to fuss over ice all night. The tips here for large ice cubes and wrapping the bucket in towels worked brilliantly! I could relax with guests instead of the kitchen. My mojitos over impressed everyone." - Robert F. Have a story our readers should hear? Share it with 1 billion+ annual wikiHow users. Tell us your story here.

Storing the Ice Properly

Keep the ice in a cool room or area. Choose a cooler spot in the room, by a fan or air conditioner, to keep the ice bucket during the party. Avoid spots in direct sunlight and place your cooler in a shady area under a tree or the covered area of your deck. Don’t put the piping hot macaroni and cheese dish next to the ice cooler or the flaming BBQ plate next to your ice bucket. The ice will absorb heat from the atmosphere around it, so make sure you put it in a spot where it will have minimal to no contact with heat or warmth.

Use frozen ice packs to keep the ice from melting. The ice packs will help to keep the container nice and cold, thereby ensuring your ice doesn’t melt until the end of the party. If you are using a large cooler, you can also use frozen plastic bottles of water or other drinks that are not carbonated, to act as ice packs. Place them among the ice to keep the cooler frosty.

Fill up the ice often. This will ensure there is always fresh ice keeping the container cold and preventing the rest of the ice from getting too warm. If you use a good insulating container and larger ice cubes, you likely will not have to check on the ice very often as it will stay cool on its own.