We’ve all been there, right?

You take your ice cream carton out of the freezer, and are presented with something more akin to the iceberg that sank the Titanic than the beautiful creamy confection we all know and love.

In a domestic setting, this isn’t such a catastrophe. After all, we usually store ice cream at home in small quantities.

But imagine how much greater the frustration is when this happens in a restaurant?

Temperature is the key when it comes to storing ice cream so that it does not go hard (or indeed too soft).

Your ice cream should be cold, but also scoopable – not something that you need a pickaxe to break into!

The importance of correct ice cream storage

Ice cream is a perishable product and requires careful handling.

When exposed to temperatures above -12°C (10°F), everything from flavour, body and texture will be impacted.

The optimum temperature is -18°C (0°F), but any colder and you risk serving up ice cream that’s too hard.

As everybody knows, rock-hard ice cream is bad news but can be avoided if those storing it follow a few guidelines on ice cream storage.

What causes ice cream to harden in the freezer?

The common cause for ice cream to harden in the freezer is a simple one – the temperature is just too low.

If the temperature is below -20°C (-4°F), the ice cream can become overly hard and difficult to scoop.

Another reason why you get hard ice cream is because of something called freezer burn. This is when ice cream loses moisture and is exposed to the air.

You’ll notice certain changes in the look and texture of the ice cream if this happens. Maybe its colour will be transformed slightly, the texture will be grainier, and you’ll notice ice crystals have formed on the surface.

Ways of storing ice cream so it doesn’t go hard

Minimise thawing

When ice cream is constantly being taken in and out of the freezer, it thaws a little in the heat of the kitchen before refreezing once it’s returned to a colder temperature, thus creating ice crystals.

While it’s impossible not to keep opening the freezer in a busy kitchen, you can reduce the risk by storing ice cream as far back in the unit as possible.

Choose the right ice cream storage

We can’t stress enough the importance of storage to ensure ice cream is at its optimum best.

Food safe, able to withstand the necessary temperatures, and an appropriate size for the amount of frozen dessert must be taken into account.

Ensure lids are airtight

You’re wasting your time and effort making ice cream if you don’t opt for containers specifically designed for the purpose – that is, with a tight seal to prevent air exposure.

An airtight lid is key to storing ice cream as it will ensure the product inside will not oxygenate.

Check temperatures

It’s vital that you regularly monitor and adjust the temperature settings of your storage freezers and display cases to ensure that your ice cream does not go hard.

Freezers react to external temperature changes, so the setting it is on now may not be suitable if there’s a drop or rise in temperature.

Freezer burn hack

If ice cream has been opened and has partially melted on top, you can minimise the possibility of freezer burn with this hack: flip the container upside down with the lid securely fixed.

You should ensure that nothing is dribbling out before placing it back into the freezer where any runny remnants of ice cream will collect in the lid rather than turn to crystals.

Want to learn more? Our previous article titled ‘Tips on storing ice cream’ is a good place to start.

How to keep ice cream soft when freezing

Professional ice cream makers have blast chillers that deep freeze ice cream within minutes, and it’s this that keeps ice crystals small, ensuring that your frozen treat remains deliciously fresh and creamy.

However, not every small restaurant or supplier can afford such luxuries.

No worries; the right kind of storage container can speed up freezing, thus helping ice cream inside to retain its soft texture.

What you need is a container with a high surface area to volume ratio; that is, one that’s wide and flat so more of the ice cream is exposed to cold air.

The correct container for your ice cream can make a difference between a top tasting product and one that’s distinctly inferior.

Why not start your search by browsing our ice cream container range?


Storing ice cream is a challenge for retailers and restaurants.

You want your product to be displayed in an attractive way, but you need to preserve its flavour and consistency.

The correct container is essential to serving up delicious ice cream time after time.

In restaurants, ice cream parlours, and supermarkets the optimum temperature at which ice cream containers for a freezer should be stored is 18°C (0°F) or colder, and the temperature in a supermarket’s freezer case should not be above 12°C (10°F).

With that in mind, it’s vital a storage container can cope with these extremely cold temperatures.

Is it best to store ice cream in a glass or plastic container?

Plastic is affordable and convenient to use, and has a whole raft of benefits that can outweigh glass.

The main thing is that it needs to be the right kind of plastic. If not certified food safe, it can leak chemicals and toxins into your delicious frozen delights.

For that reason, you should always buy ice cream containers form a reputable wholesaler like Venturepak.

While glass has loads of benefits, not least it’s inert and needs no chemical layer between its surface and the foodstuffs being stored, it weighs more and is more likely to break if dropped.

As you know, accidents happen in busy kitchens and the last thing you want is to have shards of glass scattered everywhere.

Pros of storing ice cream in plastic

  • Plastic is airtight, which is important when protecting ice cream from freezer burn, and also from absorbing flavours of other products stored in the freezer
  • An airtight plastic container acts as a barrier for both moisture and air. Because neither can penetrate it, the quality of ice cream is preserved
  • The right kind of plastic is able to cope better with low temperatures
  • Ice cream is best stored in a wide, flat plastic container because it will cover a greater surface area and freeze faster as a result
  • You can buy plastic containers specifically for the purpose of freezing ice cream
  • Labelling, which is vital when it comes to listing ingredients and allergens as well as expiry dates and other relevant information, works better on plastic containers
  • Plastic is more affordable! This especially applies to large-scale production where the raw material and manufacturing cost for plastic is way cheaper than glass.

Pros of storing ice cream in glass

  • It’s made of only a few ingredients; sand, ash and limestone, and consequently is non-toxic.
  • Glass doesn’t react with whatever is contained inside, because no chemicals can leach into it
  • You can recycle glass
  • Glass containers of certain shapes tend to be easy to scoop from.

Which is better?

Clearly, when it comes to storing ice cream, plastic is the outright winner.

It’s lightweight, costs less than glass, and is more versatile.

Plastic can also withstand low temperatures, maintaining the quality of a product. For restaurants where economy of space is all-important, plastic packaging will also be easily stackable.

You may wish to opt for different sizes and shapes of ice cream container depending on storage dimensions and capacity.

Also, you can talk to us about how we can introduce printing and labelling to make your product unique.

So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch with us.


Many of us dream about one day opening an ice cream shop, but how do you make it a reality?

While ice cream selling is a competitive arena, there is always room for another player – especially if you want to go down the artisanal, home-made route with great flavours and interesting combinations, or ones that cater for specific dietary needs such as vegan or dairy-free.

After you’ve decided on the products you’ll sell, and who your ideal customer is, you need to complete the relevant paper work and obtain the appropriate permits.

You’ll need to understand UK health and safety laws, get a business bank account, and register for tax.

You will, of course, have to acquire premises in a location where there’s plenty of footfall, such as a busy town centre or at a beach resort.

Once that’s all done, it’s time to order your ice cream shop supplies.

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The best containers for ice cream are the ones that have been specifically designed to cater to every specification required for the world’s favourite treat!

They’ll be made from food safe materials and keep your ice cream fresh, so that the final scoop will taste as good as the first.

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Legislation for food safety is evolving all the time, which can make things difficult if you want to keep up to speed with every change.

However, as a restaurant owner, the onus is on you to provide food that’s safe (that is, not injurious to health) and fit for human consumption.

Food hygiene regulations are incredibly strict, so having a food safety management system in place is a priority.

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If you’re reading this, the chances are you’re thinking of becoming an ice cream vendor.

Oh, and what could be more satisfying than serving up delicious, iced treats to everyone?

Plus, unlike other parts of the food sector, it appears on the surface to be a less complicated product to store and sell.  Doesn’t it?

Well, it might not be as straightforward as you’d think, so arming yourself with the facts before you launch your new enterprise is definitely the way to go.

There are various ways you might want to set up in the ice cream business, from a traditional ice cream van to a retro-inspired ice cream parlour at the seaside, or maybe at a farm shop or restaurant.

Whatever shape your business takes, there are rules and regulations to consider before you make it happen.

If you’re ready to take the next step, we’ll give you the lowdown on the paperwork you’ll need to complete as well share ice cream storage guidelines, so that you can be fully prepared before you start.

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When it comes to dessert, there’s no competition; ice cream has ‘em licked every time.

In fact, the overall amount of ice cream sold in the UK each year exceeds 147m kilogrammes, a number that’s set to increase.

So, if you’re interested in starting an ice cream business there really is no time like the present.

It’s a thriving industry, and one in which you can let your imagination run riot – whether it’s dreaming up flavour combinations or ways of making your business stand out from the crowd.

But while you’ll get the chance to flex your flair for creative taste combinations and cool design, you’ll need to switch on your business brain too, so here are a few tips to get you started on your new adventure.

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Brits are bonkers about having food delivered to their door.

At the most recent count, it was revealed that an estimated 39 million people used food delivery services and that number is set to increase.

With that in mind, setting up a business in the sector looks like an excellent idea.

The beauty of starting a food delivery service from home is that you won’t have the kinds of overheads involved in opening a restaurant or café, yet you can indulge your passion for creating delicious food for others.

However, while you won’t have to hire premises, you still need a checklist of essentials before you get started, from the necessary paperwork to food containers that ensures customers receive their goodies in their optimum condition.

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You love ice cream, but do you love it enough to sell it?

Opening an ice cream shop seems like a no-brainer, considering that 147 million kilograms of ice cream were consumed in the UK at the last count.

And who wouldn’t want the pleasure of serving up this hugely popular confection to customers?

If you’ve made your decision, then all you need to learn now is how to start an ice cream shop business.

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You may have heard the term freezer burn in relation to ice cream, but perhaps you’re unsure exactly what it is and how it can affect your product.

One of the main questions that you might have is; can I eat freezer burned ice cream or will it make me ill?

Here, we give you the lowdown on the freezer burn phenomenon and how you can prevent it from happening.

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