A cooler or ice bucket made from nylon or Styrofoam will keep the ice cool for at least the day. A plastic container will keep ice cool overnight, as long as it is not placed in direct sunlight. Avoid metal coolers and buckets, as they hold heat and will not keep your ice from melting for a long period of time.
If you are using plastic ice trays, let the water cool slightly before pouring it in the trays so you don’t melt the trays.
In fact, crushed ice and small ice cubes melt a lot faster than larger ice cubes and a large block of ice. Large pieces of ice have a reduced surface area, relative to their mass (or density), so they are less exposed to the warm air around them and less prone to melting. [7] X Research source
You should also place a lid over the bucket or container, once it is full of ice, to prevent exposure to air and to keep the ice from melting.
The ice will absorb heat from the atmosphere around it, so make sure you put it in a spot where it will have minimal to no contact with heat or warmth.
If you are using a large cooler, you can also use frozen plastic bottles of water or other drinks that are not carbonated, to act as ice packs. Place them among the ice to keep the cooler frosty.
If you use a good insulating container and larger ice cubes, you likely will not have to check on the ice very often as it will stay cool on its own.
