can you freeze soda?

**Contrary Housewife** · 05-08-2009, 06:33 PM

I'm wondering if I can get some cans at the grocery store and freeze them to use them as cold packs in our small cooler. We are making a 9-10 hour drive next week to visit friends and I am planning to pack snacks so we don't have to buy them when we stop for gas.

**Missy** · 05-08-2009, 06:52 PM

In my experience, no. Everytime i have forgotten one int he freezer, it has exploded.If I left one unopened in the van in the winter, it exploded too.

**mombottoo** · 05-08-2009, 06:55 PM

Nope, you can't freeze soda all the way. But, we have frozen pop in plastic bottles to the slushy stage and it's been fine. If you decide to try this make sure you watch it, if you freeze it all the way it will explode.

**mauimagic** · 05-08-2009, 07:20 PM

....and when it explodes, as I've always know it to....l...it makes a BIG mess!!

**savvy_sniper** · 05-08-2009, 07:53 PM

Freeze some bottled water and/or juices - nothing carbonated.

**threestrands** · 05-08-2009, 08:29 PM

It will definitely explode and make a huge mess if frozen too far. If you decide to live dangerously and think that you'll get it pulled out of the freezer in time, be forewarned that diet pop freezes much more quickly than the sugared variety. Frozen pop also does not thaw evenly. If you drink it before it's completely thawed, you'll have a stronger concentration of the "syrup" at the beginning, and just ice at the end. If you wait for it to thaw completely, it often loses some of its fizz.

JL · 05-08-2009, 08:33 PM

Juice boxes work really well, if your cans of soda (pop here in Canada) don't explode when you open them the carbonation only lasts a few minutes and then the soda is flat. Have a good trip.

**IntlMom** · 05-08-2009, 08:51 PM

cleaning up an exploded pop can is NOT fun!!

**Contrary Housewife** · 05-08-2009, 09:40 PM

Thanks for all the answers (and warnings). We don't normally drink soda, but DH likes to buy them when we travel. I'll stick to the frozen water bottle and maybe a juice for myself.

**savvy_sniper** · 05-08-2009, 09:52 PM

A LONG time ago (1960's) when I would go to day camp we would partially freeze canned drinks, then wrap them HEAVILY in newspaper, pack a sack lunch and the drink would be cold at lunch time.

**dean** · 05-09-2009, 08:55 AM

I tried to get soda to the slushy stage once, forgot about it, and the mess was terrible! Don't do it!

**ttistin** · 06-04-2009, 05:56 PM

I would freeze water and juices and put them in with the soda, It will keep the soda cold.

**cab54** · 06-08-2009, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by mauimagic

....and when it explodes, as I've always know it to....l...it makes a BIG mess!!

Oh, yes! Come and look at the red stains on the inside of my freezer from red pop my kids were going to chill for 'just a couple of minutes'.

**Incognito** · 06-08-2009, 06:47 PM

A few years ago, my post-teen sons were coming out to visit me for Christmas. I had everything ready, and even bought 2 cases of canned Coca-Cola.

I set them down near the inside doorway, and forgot about them. Unfortunately, even thought the house temperature was 68 degrees, there was a slight crack around the weather-stripping of the doorway.
In the middle of the night: B O O M !!!
I got up and one of the cans next to the doorway had frozen and exploded all over the walls, ceiling and floor. As I was cleaning it up, another can exploded, and what was I supposed to do next???
If I put the cans outside where they'd do less harm, they'd all freeze and explode. If they stayed inside, there might still be more exploding cans.

I grabbed towels and blankets and covered up the whole mess. One or two more exploded, and then all was silent.
It was scary, and the biggest mess I've ever cleaned up after a Christmas celebration.

**Tater** · 06-09-2009, 12:27 AM

You could freeze soda in 20 oz. bottles. Pour a little from each one into another container for later (to allow for expansion when freezing), screw the lid on tight, and freeze. Used to do this when I was young and made Coke slushies.