Preserving the Goodness: How to Store Ice Cream

Let’s be honest - what’s summer without ice cream? Whether you’re a cookie-dough kind of person or prefer a classic 99 sundae at the beach, there’s nothing tastier in the warmer months than a cool, delicious ice cream to snack on.

While indulging in your favourite ice cream snacks is an underrated moment of summer joy, understanding how to store ice cream can make a significant difference to your indulgent experience. Proper storage ensures that the taste, texture, and overall quality of ice cream remain intact - so how do you store ice cream correctly? Let’s take a look.

The Importance of Perfect Ice Cream Storage Temperature

Ice cream isn't just a simple frozen dessert; it's a delicate blend of cream, sugar, and often a range of other ingredients that require the perfect environment to maintain their desired state - aka their texture. When stored at the correct ice cream storage temperature, it’s able to retain its creaminess without becoming too hard or too soft; in contrast, if stored incorrectly, ice cream can suffer from ice crystals or might even become icy and hard, reducing its overall quality.

How Cold Should Ice Cream Be Kept?

The ideal temperature to store ice cream is usually between -10°F to -20°F (-23°C to -29°C), as this range ensures the ice cream remains solid yet scoopable. It's also crucial to avoid fluctuations in temperature, as this can lead to the formation of ice crystals on the surface. Consistent cold storage prevents the ice cream from melting and refreezing, which can adversely affect its texture.

Commercial establishments and those in the event industry often require a larger storage capacity and more stringent temperature control. In such cases, a commercial ice cream freezer temperature becomes vital: not only do they need to store vast quantities, but they also need to ensure that the product remains at its peak quality for customers - this is where specialised cold storage solutions come into play.

The Role of Freezer Trailers in Ice Cream Storage

For businesses or events where a standard freezer isn't enough, or there's simply a need for a mobile cold storage solution, freezer trailers are a a massive asset; these trailers can be parked on-site and offer large storage capacities with controlled temperatures, making them perfect for ice cream storage during events, festivals, or at commercial establishments.

At Ice Cool Trailers, we offer reliable freezer trailer hire in London, UK, with both portable trailers and cold rooms that can both ensure your ice cream and other perishables remain at their optimum storage conditions, regardless of external factors. Given the UK's unpredictable weather, having a secure and mobile cold storage solution is invaluable.

Our trailers are also ideal for external events, especially during summer months, also known as festival season!

Important Factors When Storing Ice Cream

While we've taken a closer look at the importance of the right temperature, it's essential to understand that there are other elements at play when it comes to preserving the goodness of ice cream. Here’s what you need to know:

Humidity Control is Crucial

Humidity is the enemy of ice cream: when ice cream is exposed to high humidity, it can lead to freezer burn, a condition where moisture from the ice cream surfaces and then refreezes, leading to those undesirable ice crystals. This not only affects the texture but also the flavour of the ice cream, making it imperative for caterers and food businesses to have cold rooms or freezer trailers that offer not just temperature control but also humidity control.

Proper Packaging

Proper packaging also plays an underrated role in how to store ice cream: packaging protects the ice cream from external factors, including air, which can lead to changes in flavour and texture. For commercial entities, ensuring that the ice cream is sealed properly and stored in quality packaging can make a vast difference in product longevity and consistency.

Rotation and Stock Management

For businesses, especially those with a wide variety of ice-cream flavours or a high turnover of stock, rotation becomes essential! Always ensure that older stock is used before the new; this not only ensures freshness but also prevents the long-term storage of products which might deteriorate in quality over extended periods.

Regular Maintenance of Storage Equipment

Whether it's a home freezer or a commercial cold room, regular maintenance is vital: this ensures that the equipment runs efficiently and maintains the desired temperature to store ice cream. At Ice Cool Trailers, we always ensure that maintenance on our freezer trailers is up to the mark, so that any potential issues can be addressed promptly before our trailers are hired.

The Bottom Line

From controlling humidity to ensuring top-notch packaging and regular equipment maintenance, there's a lot that goes into preserving that delightful taste and texture we all love from ice cream - but this is especially important for business owners in the hospitality industry.

Whether you're a passionate private caterer or a large commercial enterprise, knowing how to store ice cream correctly can make all the difference when it comes to food losses, your brand’s reputation, and the texture of your frozen goodies.