How to Keep Ice Cream Soft in the Freezer

Have you ever wondered why your ice cream gets rock-hard after opening? You are probably storing it wrong! Let Times Foodie teach you how to keep ice cream soft in the freezer.

I am an ice cream lover, but I have to admit I did not know most of these tips until now. I learned that it becomes solid because dehydration and oxidation(being exposed to air) occur. This condition is called freezer burn.

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Ice cream is always soft when you first open it, but it gets rock-solid if you place it back in the freezer in the same container, even with the lid closed. It is just one of the things you should not do when storing ice cream, but there are more that you should be aware of. Follow the steps below to keep ice cream soft and at its best consistency and flavor.

Here’s another tip for you: How to Scoop Ice Cream When It’s Frozen Solid

The Right Way to Store Ice Cream

1 – Store it in the back of the freezer

Opening the freezer frequently causes the temperature near the door to change. To keep it in the best consistency, store it in the back of the freezer.

2 – Right temperature

Ice cream is best when stored between -20C (-4F) and -18C (-0.4F). At this range, the ice cream will be firm enough to hold its shape and it will be easy to dip between -14C (6.8F) and -12C (10.4F), which is the ideal serving temperature range.

3 – Avoid opening the freezer door again and again

Keep the freezer door as much as possible to maintain the temperature in the freezer.

4 – Don’t let the ice cream’s consistency change a lot

If you keep freezing the ice cream, taking it out, freezing it, and doing the cycle over and over again, it will result in repeated softening and freezing. When small ice crystals melt and refreeze, they can turn into large unpalatable lumps.

5 – Use an air-tight containers for storing

Air is also responsible for freezer burn. The best way to store ice cream is by using freezer freezer-safe air-tight container.

6 – Use a shallow flat container

These types of containers help keep the ice cream at an even consistency. As you finish the ice cream, transfer it to a smaller container. Smaller containers mean less ambient air, which means less risk of freezer burn.

7 – Prevent flavors from mixing

Keep an open box of soda in the freezer. It will absorb all the strong odors from other food ensuring your ice cream’s flavor is at its best.

How to Keep Ice Cream Soft in the Freezer