Saving ice for a party or an event that lasts more than a few hours can seem like an impossible task, especially if you are going to be going from one place to another to chat with your guests and you do not want to be worried about it melting. For all of your guests' cocktails to stay fresh, you should have at least 2.3 pounds of ice for each one. You can keep it from melting in the middle of the party with the right method and a few simple steps.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using a Cooler or Ice Bucket
Step 1. Use a light colored container
Find a light-colored cooler or ice bucket made of reflective material. These colors absorb less heat and will help keep the ice from melting.
A nylon or Styrofoam ice bucket or cooler will keep the ice cold for at least a day. A plastic container will keep it cool overnight, as long as it's not in direct sunlight. Avoid coolers and metal buckets, as they retain heat and won't keep the ice intact for a long time
Step 2. Line the cooler or bucket with aluminum foil
It is scientifically proven that the reflective surface of aluminum foil prevents ice from melting longer than other materials. Before putting ice in the cooler or bucket for the party, layer them with aluminum foil.
Step 3. Wrap a towel around the ice cube
If you don't have a good cooler or bucket, put the ice in the container, then wrap it with a clean towel or blanket. This will keep the ice cold longer and prevent it from melting in the first hour of the party.
Method 2 of 3: Make Large Ice Cubes
Step 1. Use boiled water and not tap water
Boiling it before pouring it into the ice buckets will reduce the amount of air bubbles in the ice. This will make the ice last longer, appear more transparent and less cloudy.
If you're using plastic ice buckets, let the water cool a bit before pouring it so they don't melt
Step 2. Pour the boiled water into large ice buckets
Choose the widest ones for large cubes or a muffin tray for chunks. Pour the boiled water into the ice bucket or tray evenly and put it in the freezer.
It is a fact that crushed ice and small cubes melt much faster than large cubes and blocks. Large chunks of ice have a small surface area, relative to their mass, so they are less exposed to the hot air around them and less likely to melt
Step 3. Place a towel in the bucket or container before putting the ice cubes inside
Doing so will insulate the ice and keep it cold. You can also use bubble wrap and then a towel inside the container so the ice is insulated and less likely to melt.
It is also advisable to place a lid on the bucket or container once it is full, to avoid exposure to air and so that the ice does not melt
Method 3 of 3: Store Ice Properly
Step 1. Keep the ice in a cool room or area
Pick the coldest spot in the room, near a fan or air conditioner, and place the ice bucket there during the party. Avoid places where direct sunlight hits. Place the cooler in a shady area under a tree or in a covered area. Don't leave hot mac and cheese near the cooler or the burning grill plate on the side of the ice bucket.
The ice will absorb heat from the environment around it. Therefore, make sure to put it in a place where it does not have contact with heat or that it is as little as possible
Step 2. Use frozen packs of ice so that the one you will use at the party does not melt
These will help keep the container cool, ensuring your ice doesn't melt until the end of the meeting.
If you are using a large cooler, you can also put plastic bottles with water or some other non-carbonated drink to double as ice packs. Place them between your ice so that the cooler stays ice cold
Step 3. Fill the ice frequently
This will ensure that there is always fresh ice in the container that keeps the cooler cold, preventing the rest of the ice from getting too hot.