Cold-Stuff Ice Packs

Frequently Asked Questions about using Cold-Stuff Ice Packs for shipping perishable products.

1. How long will Cold-Stuff Ice Packs last when they are frozen?

A.  This will depend on the thickness of the insulation you use in you shipping box and your packaging method. Most importantly, they will stay frozen longer than ice!

2. What do Cold-Stuff Ice Packs cost compared to gel-packs?

A.  A pound of Cold-Stuff Ice Packs cost 50% to 75% less than a pound of gel packs and you get the same cooling ability applied more efficiently! (see FAQ #10) . 

3. How do Cold-Stuff Ice Packs work?

A.  Cut them to your preferred size, then hydrate them for 10 to 15 minutes and freeze them until they are completely frozen.  Place the Cold-Stuff Ice Packs in your insulated box over, under and/or around the payload. Click here for illustrated instructions.

4. What are the applications for Cold-Stuff Ice Packs?

A.  Protecting almost anything that needs to be kept frozen or refrigerated.  The ability of Cold-Stuff Ice Packs to drape and/or wrap around large or unusually shaped items makes it incredibly versatile. Some products that must be kept at temperatures well below freezing may need the addition of some dry ice along with the Cold-Stuff Ice Packs.

5. What is the shelf life of unhydrated Cold-Stuff Ice Packs?

A.  Indefinite if stored in a plastic bag to prevent them from absorbing moisture from the air. Like salt and sugar the powder needs to be kept dry. A plastic trash bag works well.

6. Do you charge for samples if I want to try Cold-Stuff Ice Packs in my current shipping system?

A. No. Click here to request samples and please let us know what kind of product you ship.

7. Can Cold-Stuff Ice Packs be re-used?

A.  Yes, they can be re-hydrated and re-frozen several times, but normally when you ship your product to your customer you will never see the packs again. Because of this fact, most companies look for the least expensive refrigerant packs available...that means Cold-Stuff Ice Packs EVERY TIME! 

8. How are Cold-Stuff Ice Packs supplied?

A.  Cold-Stuff 4” ice pack rolls are 16 inches wide by 300 feet long (covers 400 square feet) and weighs only 30 pounds when you receive it. Custom width rolls are available from 8” wide to 48” wide are available upon request. 

9. How many pounds of ice packs do I get from a standard roll?

A.  After hydration (soaking in water) a standard roll will weigh 1,100  pounds. Two standard rolls (30 pounds dry weight) will yield OVER ONE TON of ice packs / gel pack blankets.

10. How many pounds of Cold-Stuff Ice Packs are needed to replace one pound of gel-packs?

A.  The basic physical properties of the gel in a gel pack and the gel in Cold-Stuff Ice Packs are the same because the actual gel inside one is the same gel that is in the other. Cold-Stuff Ice Packs can be placed so much more efficiently around the payload, in many cases you will need less pounds of Cold-Stuff Ice Packs than pounds gel-packs. Exactly how much less will vary with different packaging methods and the products being shipped.

11. What happens if a cell gets punctured and some gel leaks out?

A. If a cell gets punctured and some gel leaks out don’t worry, the gel is non-toxic and will do no harm, simply rinse it off with water.

12. Can Cold-Stuff Ice Packs be cut into special sizes?

A. Yes, you can cut them yourself with a knife or scissors or we will cut them for you, but there is a labor charge depending on the size of the pad. Click here to see some common size pads.

13. How are used Cold-Stuff Ice Packs disposed of safely?

A. Cold-Stuff Ice Packs are non-toxic and environmentally friendly and may be incinerated or simply tossed in the trash and taken to a landfill.

14. Will Cold-Stuff Ice Packs hold the water (or other fluids) they absorb when they are squeezed?

A. Absolutely! When the water is absorbed it bonds with the super absorbent powder and forms molecules of gel. The gel molecules are cross-linked with each other and they are much too large to fit through the small openings in the fabric that allowed the water to get into the cell. Therefore, the only way to get the water out of the cell once it has been absorbed is to apply so much pressure to the cell that it ruptures the plastic. Our ice packs are made using the most durable materials! Don't take our word for it, call us for free samples and compare our product to ANY other! We  dare you! ; - )

15. Can dry Cold-Stuff Ice Packs be used as an absorbent pad too?

A. Absolutely! Cold-Stuff Ice Packs are excellent at absorbing many liquids. 

16. Will Cold-Stuff Ice Packs cause freezer burn or stick to my skin?

A. Not at normal freezer temperatures. If Cold-Stuff Ice Packs have been in contact with extreme cold (e.g. dry ice) they will maintain that extreme temperature for a time and should be handled with the same care as any similarly cold item (insulated gloves are usually adequate). If you have an injury or ache that needs cold therapy simply wrap the affected area with a hand towel and use you can Cold-Stuff Ice Packs as a cold therapy pack...we make a cold therapy pack just for that application also click here for info.

17. Can Cold-Stuff Ice Packs be used to reduce the amount of dry ice I use?

A. Yes, used along with dry ice they can cut the volume of dry ice needed for your particular application by up to 50%.

18. Which side of Cold-Stuff Ice Packs should face my product?

A. It does not matter because all packaged products shipped in direct contact with any refrigerant product should be in a cheap plastic bag or the refrigerant is bagged. This prevents possible moisture damage to the product packaging from condensation that can result from ANY type of frozen refrigerant "sweating" like a glass of iced tea. 

19. How much better will Cold-Stuff Ice Packs perform if I use more pads?

A. Any refrigerant (even plain ice) will last longer if more is used. It is like a trip to the beach…the more ice you put in the ice chest to keep your drinks cold, the longer the drinks will stay cold. If your products are not staying frozen there are several things that can be adjusted to improve performance click here for more info.

20. What happens if Cold-Stuff Ice Packs are left in the water for more than 15 minutes?

A. Nothing, but they are designed to absorb fast so you can freeze them 15 to 20 minutes after you put them into the water. If you take them out when they first fill up (10 to 15 minutes) they will still continue to bond with the water and dry themselves off. If they are allowed to get fully saturated (30 minutes or more) they may be too full to dry themselves off. This might cause them to be damp when you put them in the freezer and have a thin layer of ice on the surface after they are frozen. If they do stay in the water too long just let them stand until they dry off. 

21. Do I really have to use an insulated box when shipping perishable items?

 A.   Yes. You must use an insulated box or container when shipping perishables of ANY type with ANY kind of refrigerant whether you use Cold-Stuff Ice Packs, gel packs, dry ice or whatever! Would you carry your iced-down cold drinks, for a day at the beach, in the cardboard box your copier paper came in? NO!

Ask yourself, "How long will my drinks stay ice cold if they are sitting on the hot sand with the sun-shining on them if they were in just a cardboard box?" The answer is, "Not very long!" The same principle applies to shipping perishable products.

The "insulated box" is the shipping equivalent of your "ice chest" at the beach! The shipping time you require and the outdoor temperature will determine the thickness of the foam insulation (the lining of your box) and the amount of ice packs/gel packs/dry ice or whatever, that will be required. If you are a newcomer to perishables shipping, some practice shipments may be required before you become familiar with the process. To learn more about the importance of the insulated box to your shipping success click here.

22. How do I get samples of Cold-Stuff Ice Packs to test using my product and in my regular shipping method?

Ice Pack Samples - Pricing - MSDS

NOTICE: 

Cold-Stuff Ice Packs / Ice Pads are designed to be used as an inexpensive replacement for wet ice, dry ice, gel ice, gel ice blanket, gel packs or any other ice pack in normal every day shipping of perishable products.

Cold-Stuff Ice Packs / Ice Pads are made of non-toxic and disposable materials that will not harm the environment. For more information see the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) on our website or call 251-602-4893 to request a copy to be faxed to you.

Any application other than as a shipping refrigerant as described in this website, must be evaluated by the user for acceptability and compliance with all regulations that apply to the intended alternate application. We accept NO responsibility for damages whether real or imagined arising from any misuse of Cold-Stuff Ice Packs.

Use common sense when hydrating Cold-Stuff Ice Packs...always use a container that is KNOWN TO BE CLEAN! Use clean, fresh tap water to soak the pads. If you do not follow commonly established standards for cleanliness when handling ALL components used in packaging your perishable products, YOU are the only one to blame if YOU contaminate your package or product!

EXAMPLE: You would not pack your food (or any perishable product) in boxes you found in a dumpster so don't hydrate your Cold-Stuff Ice Packs in a used garbage can, bathtub or pond, etc.!