Reusable ice packs: how to freeze and pack them
Reusable ice packs are gel packs that you can use several times: you freeze them beforehand and place them in the box with the product. Below you will read how often you can reuse a pack, how to freeze it and how to combine it with an EPS box.
How often can you freeze a reusable gel ice pack?
We do not state a fixed number of times. What does apply: a reusable gel ice pack is made of sturdy PE material, leak-proof and can be used several times. We also call a reusable ice pack a gel pack or cool pack.
Do you want a sturdy version that lasts hundreds of cycles? Then there are reusable cooling elements with a rigid plastic housing. You can read the difference between the two in rigid cooling element or gel pack.
How to freeze reusable ice packs properly
Freeze the packs completely beforehand, so they can hold as much cold as possible.
Ice pack sheets
For flat products such as fish or charcuterie, ice pack sheets are an alternative. They arrive flat and empty, are placed in water until the cells have swollen and are then frozen. They stay flexible even when frozen.
Reusable ice pack in an EPS box
Combine the packs with an EPS box for good cooling. You can read more about the number of packs per shipment in Ice pack for shipping: what determines the quantity?.
This is how a 400 g gel pack performs in a thick-walled EPS box at 25 °C: after 12 and after 24 hours still below freezing, up to about 30 hours below 0 °C and up to 48 hours below 8 °C. How long a pack stays cold in your situation depends on the insulation and the ambient temperature. See how long does a cold pack stay cold.
What the product pages say about reuse
This is stated per weight on the pages of the gel packs in the ice packs collection:
| Weight | Size | Per master carton | What the page says about reuse |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 g | 120 x 150 mm | 80 pcs | Sturdy PE material, leak-proof and reusable |
| 300 g | 120 x 180 mm | 60 pcs | No statement about reuse, but leak-proof and dry when thawing |
| 400 g | 120 x 210 mm | 40 pcs | Leak-proof and reusable, thick PE that withstands pressure and movement, can be used several times |
| 500 g | 120 x 220 mm | 35 pcs | Durable and reusable, made of sturdy PE material |
| 600 g | 120 x 240 mm | 30 pcs | Durable and reusable, sturdy PE for long-term use |
| 1,000 g | 150 x 275 mm | 18 pcs | Durable material: sturdy PE for reuse |
Ice pack sheets: how they arrive and how they are filled
The sheets arrive flat and empty. According to the product pages, the cells are filled by placing the sheet in water for 5 to 10 minutes, after which they swell into a firm gel mat. The sheet is then frozen. It can be used from minus 5 °C to minus 80 °C, stays flexible even when frozen and can be torn to size along the perforation.
| Cells | Size | Per box |
|---|---|---|
| 2 x 3 (6 cells) | 140 x 200 mm | 2,000 pcs |
| 3 x 4 (12 cells) | 200 x 280 mm | 1,000 pcs |
| 2 x 6 (12 cells) | 140 x 400 mm | 1,000 pcs |
| 4 x 6 (24 cells) | 280 x 400 mm | 500 pcs |
The pages also mention a sheet of 4 x 6 cells with perforation every 2 x 3 cells (280 x 400 mm) and a roll with perforation every 2 x 6 cells, 400 mm wide and 140 meters long.
Freezing cooling elements beforehand
The collection text on cooling elements describes that they are completely frozen beforehand, so they can hold as much cold as possible. They then go into the insulated packaging together with the product, for example an insulated bag as an inner lining in the box, or into a cooler. The product pages describe them as easy to freeze and ready for use straight away.
Frequently asked questions about reusable ice packs
How often can I freeze a reusable ice pack?
We do not state a fixed number. A reusable gel ice pack is made of sturdy PE and can be used several times. Rigid cooling elements last hundreds of cycles.
Does a reusable ice pack give off meltwater?
No. The gel stays solid, even when it thaws.
Can I refreeze the packs after thawing?
The packs can be used several times. If you are looking for an even sturdier option, look at reusable cooling elements in the cooling elements collection.
Which ice pack sheets are there?
Four sizes: 2 x 3 cells (140 x 200 mm), 3 x 4 cells (200 x 280 mm), 2 x 6 cells (140 x 400 mm) and 4 x 6 cells (280 x 400 mm). There is also a roll 400 mm wide and 140 meters long.
Which temperatures can an ice pack sheet handle?
The product pages state a usable range from minus 5 °C to minus 80 °C.
How many gel packs are in a master carton?
That depends on the weight: 80 pcs of 200 g, 60 of 300 g, 40 of 400 g, 35 of 500 g, 30 of 600 g and 18 of 1,000 g.
Need a reusable ice pack? Take a look at the range of reusable ice packs, in several sizes and available from stock. If you are unsure about size or quantity, send us your route and volume.
You will find all names for this product in our glossary.
