There are few things sadder than melted ice cream. We don’t use stabilizers in our ice cream, so it is more prone to melting naturally. Here are some *cool* tips on how to effectively transport your frozen goodies.

It’s always a good idea to transport your ice cream in a cooler or insulated container. Pack that cooler with freezer packs, NEVER ICE. Why not ice? Ice is actually warmer than our ice cream, which will cause it to melt FASTER. Not cool! (get it?). If you’re transporting your order for more than an hour, we recommend using dry ice. More on that later! With prior notice, we can provide an insulated compostable box ($19.35/each).

If you’re a cooler aficionado, you’re probably set. Perhaps you have a variety of sizes to choose from already! If you are without a cooler and want to avoid using a disposable option, here is a list of coolers that we think are great for keeping our ice cream perfectly frosty :

Igloo’s Retro Picnic Basket 25 QT cooler : This is a super fun & attractive option that ALSO is super functional and will keep your party's dessert perfectly chilled for your guests. Plus, it looks awesome.

YETI Tundra 45 Hard Cooler : Looking to invest in a cooler that will keep your ice cream and MUCH more super frozen for the years to come? This one is great for traveling long distances, camping, and storing ice cream for more than an hour!
Igloo ECOCOOL Cooler 52 QT : This cooler fits so. much. ice cream! Plus it is made with post-consumer recycled resin, which is pretty great.

Polarbox Classic 21 QT : Maybe aesthetics are everything to you, so you need a cooler that matches your party & your style. This one is probably the cutest new style retro cooler, but will only fit a smaller order - perhaps perfect for some mini ice cream sandwiches!

Coleman 316 Series 62 QT Cooler with wheels : A whole heap of ice cream plus 10-15 lbs of dry ice and a cooler can start to get a little heavy. Sometimes having a cooler with wheels is a big help.

Speaking of dry ice, we highly suggest using it to transport any ice cream when it will be out of the freezer for more than 1 hour. It is even cold enough to keep your order frozen for up to 48 hours*, which is great for traveling or when picking up an order the day before your event. Dry ice should be placed on top of the product with a paper barrier, such as a paper bag, separating the dry ice from the ice cream. Dry ice is super cold (-80°) so we recommend removing the dry ice from the top of the product 10-15 minutes before serving. If the ice cream sandwiches will be on display for self-service for a while, place the dry ice under the product, or on one side and rotate packages every 10-15 minutes.

But where do you even acquire dry ice? Our favorite is Jim’s Enterprises in South Philly, where we’ve been customers for years. Located at 2235 Hartranft Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145 they are open Mon-Fri 8:15 am to 4:00 pm, Sat: 8:30 am to 2:00 pm, & Sun: 11 am to Noon. They are friendly and accustomed to assisting first time dry ice buyers. You can order dry ice by the slice (recommended for packaging purposes) and one slice is 10lbs. Jim’s accepts cash or card (no AMEX).

Some safety precautions to keep in mind when handling and transporting dry ice:

Extreme Cold (-80º F) May Cause Severe Cold Burns. Handle With Gloves. Avoid Contact With Skin And Eyes. Do Not Confine In Tightly Closed Containers. Do Not Put In Drinks. Do Not Eat. Keep Out Of Reach Of Children And Animals.
Dry ice is compressed CO2, so it sublimates (turns from solid to gas) instead of melting. As the dry ice sublimates it is releasing concentrated CO2. You will want to open a window when transporting dry ice to avoid filling your vehicle with CO2 over time.

Dry ice works best when placed on top of the items you would like to keep frozen. It is best to use a cooler sized to fit the ice cream and dry ice without additional air space. If you need the dry ice to last as long as possible, keep it tightly packed by taking up any space above or around it with a towel, paper, cardboard, or a blanket. Once you have enjoyed your ice cream & no longer need the dry ice, just toss it in a spot that is out of the way to evaporate. Like a driveway, cement patio, or any area that isn’t near people & pets. Do not leave dry ice sitting on tiled surfaces or laminates. The extreme cold can break the adhesive bond and cause some major damage.

We hope you have a great time at your gathering and enjoy all of your ice cream!

* Dry ice can last for up to 2 days when a minimum of 10 lbs are tightly stored in an insulated container. Some orders and conditions may require additional dry ice to achieve this duration.

It’s time to pick up your Weckerly’s order!