How To Keep Ice Cream From Melting In A Car? Answered

Last Updated on September 13, 2024 by Shari Mason

Ice cream is a **yummy delight** enjoyed by folks all year long. But boy, it’s tough to keep it from melting away in the **blazing summer heat**.

Whether on a road trip or picking up ice cream from the store, keeping it from melting in a car can be challenging.

Fortunately, I discovered a few easy tips and tricks that you can use to keep your ice cream cold and delicious when you’re on the go. 

Today, we’ll discuss how to keep ice cream from melting in a car.

7 Ways To Keep Ice Cream From Melting In A Car

1. Keep it in a cooler: Keeping your ice cream in a cooler is one of the best ways to keep it cold and prevent it from melting in a car. Make sure to use an insulated cooler with enough ice or cold packs to keep the ice cream cold. 
2. Place it on the floorboard: Placing your ice cream on your car’s floorboard can help keep it cold as the air is cooler near the ground. Make sure to wrap it in a towel or blanket to keep it from melting. 
3. Use a thermal bag: A thermal bag can help keep your ice cream’s temperature consistent and prevent it from melting in a car. Make sure to keep the thermal bag in a cool, dark place in the car and place the ice cream inside. 
4. Use a car refrigerator: If you have a car refrigerator, place your ice cream inside to keep it cold and prevent it from melting. 
5. Pre-freeze it: Before leaving home, you can pre-freeze your ice cream to keep it cold and prevent it from melting in the car. Make sure to wrap it in a towel or blanket before placing it in the car. 
6. Avoid the sun: When possible, park in a shady area to help keep your ice cream cold and prevent it from melting. 
7. Turn on the AC: If you have an air conditioner in your car, you can turn it on to help keep the temperature cool and prevent your ice cream from melting.

Read:

• How Long Will Ice Cream Last In A Cooler?
• Cream Cheese Not Melting
• Does Chick-Fil-A Have Ice Cream?
• How To Tell When Ice Cream Is Done Churning?

Why Does Ice Cream Melt?

Ice cream [1] melts because it is made up of a combination of dairy, sugar, and fat. 

These ingredients have different melting points; when heat is exposed, the fat and sugar will melt faster than the milk proteins. 

“I don’t know why people eat so badly. I could eat pasta all the time, but it really is fattening. And I love ice cream, but I can’t do that. There was a time, until I was in my mid-forties, when I could eat a whole pizza – and really, no effect.”

– Christopher Walken, Actor

Ice cream also contains air, which helps to keep it from melting too quickly. Combining the different melting points and air creates the perfect melting temperature for ice cream.

How To Keep Ice Cream Frozen For 24 Hours

To keep your ice cream frozen for 24 hours, it is best to place it in the coldest part of your freezer.

Ensure the container is well sealed, as any air entering will increase the melting rate. 

Additionally, it is important to pre-chill the container before placing the ice cream in it, as cold objects tend to stay cold for longer. 

Finally, consider adding a layer of insulation, such as a small towel, around the container to reduce the further melting rate.

What Materials Can Keep Ice Cream From Melting?

One way to keep ice cream from melting is to use an insulated container.

Insulated containers are designed to keep food cold and are made from materials like plastic, foam, and stainless steel. 

Insulated containers are great for keeping ice cream cold and ensuring it doesn’t melt quickly.

Additionally, adding ice packs or ice cubes to the container can help keep the ice cream cold and prevent it from melting.

Do Different Flavors Affect Ice Cream’s Melting Point?

Different ice cream flavors can affect the ice cream’s melting point. This is because different flavors can contain different ingredients, and these ingredients can have different freezing points. 

For example, ice cream with a higher fat content will have a lower melting point than one with a lower fat content. 

“Prevent ice cream’s race to meltdown in a hot car by taking the wheel with a few cool tricks – keep it cozy with blankets, chase the shade, and arrive home with your frosty treasure intact.”

– Eat Pallet Restaurant & Food Advice

Additionally, the sweetener [2] in the ice cream can affect the melting point.

Sweeteners such as honey and syrup will melt faster than pure sugar. Therefore, the ice cream’s flavor can influence the ice cream’s melting point.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Keeping ice cream from melting in a car is possible with a few preventative measures.

Store the ice cream in an insulated cooler with ice packs, keep the car as cool as possible, and try to keep the ice cream out of direct sunlight. 

If you follow these tips, you should be able to keep your ice cream from melting.

References:

1. https://www.idfa.org/the-history-of-ice-cream
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/artificial-sweeteners/art-20046936