How long do gel ice packs stay cold?
How long do gel ice packs stay cold? A 400 g gel pack in a thick-walled EPS box keeps the contents below 0 °C for up to about 30 hours at 25 °C outside, and below 8 °C for up to 48 hours. Below you will read the results and what the cooling time depends on.
How long does an ice pack stay cold? The reference values
How long does a gel pack stay cold? It is the same question, because a gel pack is an ice pack. These are the results for a 400 g gel pack in a thick-walled EPS box at a constant outside temperature of 25 °C:
| Time | What you can expect |
|---|---|
| 12 hours | Contents still well below freezing, suitable for same-day deliveries |
| 24 hours | Still below 0 °C, suitable for next-day delivery |
| Up to about 30 hours | Temperature stays below 0 °C |
| Up to 48 hours | The box warms up slowly, but stays below 8 °C |
These are the results for one setup. How long does a gel pack stay cold in a different setup? That depends on the insulation and the environment, and we do not state a fixed duration for it.
How long can you cool with an ice pack?
How long you can cool with an ice pack is not a fixed time. It depends on the insulation, the outside temperature and the cooling capacity of the packs.
The insulation of the packaging
The results above apply to a thick-walled EPS box. See also how long does a foam box stay cold.
The outside temperature
The reference values apply at a constant outside temperature of 25 °C. Also read 7 tips for refrigerated shipping during hot summers.
The number and weight of the packs
The cooling capacity depends on the number and weight of the packs. You can find more about this in Ice pack for shipping: what determines the quantity?.
How long does a cooling element stay cold?
A cooling element is the rigid cooling block in 200, 400 and 750 g. Depending on the application and the insulation, it can provide constant cooling for between 24 and 72 hours. So how long a cooling element stays cold depends on the application and the insulation. A larger size is meant for larger or longer shipments. The range is under cooling elements. You can read the difference from the flexible gel pack in rigid cooling element or gel pack.
A gel pack gives off 0 °C, a PCM pack gives a fixed temperature of minus 18 °C. That makes it suitable for frozen shipping.
What the product pages say about cooling time
| Product | What the page says about cooling time |
|---|---|
| Ice pack 200 g | Reliable cooling in boxes or bags, for refrigerated or deep-frozen shipping |
| Ice pack 300 g | Gel that provides long-lasting cooling without meltwater |
| Ice pack 400 g | Long cooling time for refrigerated shipments |
| Ice pack 500 g | Keeps products at the right temperature for a long time |
| Ice pack 600 g | Long-lasting cooling effect, for larger shipments |
| Ice pack 1,000 g | Extra long cooling time for longer transit times |
| Cooling element 750 g | Long-lasting cooling, for larger or longer shipments |
| Cooler box 32L with 2 cooling elements of 400 g | The contents stay fresh for up to 9 hours |
Hours are only stated for the cooling elements (24 to 72 hours, depending on application and insulation), the 32 liter cooler box (up to 9 hours) and the results for the 400 g gel pack above. The pages for the ice packs do not state hours.
The names for the gel pack results
The collection text calls the result after 12 hours Same Day Delivery and the one after 24 hours Next Day Delivery. Up to about 30 hours the gel pack stays below 0 °C, after which the box warms up slowly. Up to 48 hours it stays within the safe cooling range below 8 °C.
Cooler box with cooling elements
The 32 liter cooler boxes, with and without a 12-volt connection, are supplied with 2 cooling elements of 400 g. The product pages state that the contents stay fresh for up to 9 hours as a result. For the model with the 12-volt connection it adds: even without power. The inside dimensions are 24.5 x 34.5 x 37.5 cm. More cooler boxes are in the cooler box collection.
Frequently asked questions about cooling time
How long does a gel pack stay cold in an insulated bag?
We cannot give a fixed number of hours for that. It depends on the bag and the outside temperature. You will find bags in the insulated bags collection.
What temperature does a gel pack give off?
A gel pack gives off 0 °C. A PCM pack gives a fixed temperature of minus 18 °C.
Does the outside temperature matter?
The reference values apply at a constant outside temperature of 25 °C. At a different temperature we cannot give a fixed duration.
How long does a cooler box with cooling elements stay cold?
For the 32 liter cooler box with 2 cooling elements of 400 g, the product page states up to 9 hours. For the 12, 25 and 26 liter cooler boxes, the pages do not state hours.
How long does a PCM pack stay cold?
The product page does not state hours. The 400 g PCM pack gives a constant temperature of minus 18 °C, a gel pack gives 0 °C.
Which ice pack has the longest cooling time?
The page for the 1,000 g ice pack states an extra long cooling time for longer transit times. No hours are given.
Want to know how long an ice pack stays cold in your situation? Take a look at the range of gel ice packs and the matching EPS boxes, or contact us for advice.
You will find all names for this product in our glossary.
