Although you need less Techni Ice that you would bagged ice or gel ice packs, you still need to make sure that you use enough to do the job. Here’s what we recommend: 1-2 Sheets for a personal or 6-pack cooler 3-4 Sheets for a small cooler 6-8 Sheets for a large cooler If you know the actual size of your cooler in litres (it’s often listed somewhere on the container) then you can use the general rule of thumb of 1 sheet per 7 cubic litres of ice box. Because Techni Ice is flexible when frozen it is easier to pack your cooling sheets in and around the containers and bottles in your picnic cooler. Also, keep in mind that cold air falls downward, when you use a large sheet (cut another sheet up into pieces for use in between objects or for small coolers and lunchboxes) in your cooler, lay it on top of everything to keep everything frozen longer.

Cells should be approximately 1.25 inches thick. That’s 1 and 1/4 inches thick. Once it is hydrated, dry it and place it in the freezer for 24 hours or more, and it’s ready to use. You can use it after 8-12 hours of freezing, but it’s a bit less efficient. The longer you freeze them, the better. (See “How do I freeze…” below.) Once hydrated, store it in the freezer if you have room, so that it will be ready when needed. Techni ICE Standard 2 ply is reusable a few times and Techni ICE 4 ply is reusable hundreds of times. The only limiting factor is if it is punctured by a sharp object, or smashed by a heavy one. With Techni ICE Reusable 4 ply , even if the plastic gets torn after a while, the textile still holds in the polymer gel.

Typically, Standard Techni Ice is for the transporting of fresh, perishable and heat sensitive products, such as: meat, seafoods, vegetables, prepared foods, chocolates, candies, cookies, cakes, medicine, flowers, cosmetics, breast milk, and more. Reusable Techni Ice is for applications where you need to use it many times, up to hundreds. It is often ideal for courier transporting of medicine and medical samples, or perishables such as ice cream and frozen food.

Techni ICE does not leak water, so there’s no mess, and no melting ice. Techni ICE is flexible, even when fully hydrated and frozen. You can cut it, fold it, or bend it along the seams between the cells. Before hydrating, Techni ICE is lightweight and compact for easy handling and low-cost shipping. Techni ICE can get down to Dry Ice temperature (-109 degrees F) and beyond. Measures: 11 X 16 inches before hydration.

Reusable and Standard Techni Ice are the same inside, and cooling power is the same. The difference is in the external construction: The Techni Ice Reusable has stronger plastic, with 2 layers of fabric and 2 layers of plastic. The standard Techni Ice has lighter plastic, with only 1 layer of fabric and 1 layer of plastic.

Don’t stack Techni Ice in the freezer: The Reusable will freeze slower, and Standard will stick together. Freeze them for at least 24 hours. If you must, you can freeze them for less, but performance will suffer according to how long they are in the freezer. For best performance, crank up your freezer to the highest setting.

Use at least a 1 1/2 inch (one-and-a-half-inch) thick styrofoam cooler. Put a plastic liner (bag) in the cooler. Put your frozen perishables in. Put Techni Ice in, plastic side down. Close bag. Fill any remaining airspace in cooler with styrofoam peanuts, foam, etc. Tape lid of cooler on.

Store sheets in an airtight container Keep in a cool, dry place; away from heat ad moisture