“How long to chill beer in freezer?” is a question worth answering when you are pressed to drink your cold beer as soon as possible. After all, the perfect temperature for a crisp, cold brew can mean the difference between a good time and a great time. I know from experience… Once, I tried to chill a beer in the freezer overnight, only to be disappointed with a mess in the morning.
Thankfully, I now know the best way to get a cold beer without ruining it. In this article, I’ll explain exactly how long to chill your beer in the freezer, as well as provide some other tips and tricks to avoid under-chilling it or freezing it.
Let’s dive in!
How Long Does It Take To Chill Beer Fast In The Freezer
First, it’s important that you know which are the factors that affect the chilling time of beer. This can be a long subject, so I’ve put together a table for you:
| Factors | If it is | Chilling Time is |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol Content | Higher | Longer |
| Sugar Content | Higher | Longer |
| Volume of Beer | Higher | Longer |
| Freezer Temperature | Lower | Shorter |
| Initial Temperature of Beer | Higher | Longer |
Compare your specific situation with the average case: If you put a beer with 5% alcohol in a standard freezer, it will freeze at 27 °F (-2.7 °C) on average, and it will take about 20–30 minutes.
Note: The FDA recommends keeping the freezer temperature at 0° F (-18° C)
To chill beer fast and safely in the freezer, follow these steps:
1. Make sure your beer bottles or cans are not very warm. If they are, they will take longer to chill. As much as possible, store your beers in a cool environment.
2. Place the warm beer in the freezer, making sure it is not touching the back wall or any other frozen items.
3. Set a timer for 20–30 minutes.
4. When the timer goes off, remove the beer from the freezer and enjoy!
TIP 1. If you want to enjoy your bottle of beer chilled to the last drop, consider using a beer chiller stick. This handy tool is a convenient and easy way to keep your beer chilled to perfection.
TIP 2. Wrap your can or bottle of beer with a wet paper towel. The water in the paper freezes quicker and there is a heat transfer that speeds up the cooling process of the beer. The chilling time will be lowered to about 10–15 minutes.
TIP 3. Turn your beer now and then, the warmer liquid in the center will move to the container walls and become colder. This is the science behind the Cooper Cooler: a chiller machine that spin the beer bottle or can (even white wine bottles) in an ice bath to cool it down in a couple of minutes.
Benefits & Risks Of Chilling Your Beer Quickly In The Freezer:
As shown, the freezer is an effective way to speed up the chilling process, you can get your beer ice-cold in just minutes! However, there are both benefits and risks associated with this approach.
Pros:
- Placing the bottle or can of beer in the freezer will ensure it is ready to drink in approximately 20 minutes.
- It is simple and easy to do at home.
Cons: Is It Safe?
While chilling beer in the freezer is a convenient and quick solution, there are some potential risks to consider:
- Your beer can explode. If the glass bottles are left in the freezer for too long, the pressure created by the expanding liquid, can cause the bottle to burst and result in a mess of broken glass and beer. Trust me when I tell you to use a timer, you can find small pieces of glass in your frozen food for months…
- Your beer can freeze. Beer is about 95% water, if left in the freezer for hours, it will become slushy or even freeze solid. Do you like frozen beer? Well, you can cook with it… Definitely not what you were looking for.
I’ve used the freezer method many times, so I can tell you from experience that it is possible to get your beer cold without ruining it. The key is to follow these steps carefully and control the time you leave your beer in the freezer.
This exploded frozen beer bottle in my friend’s freezer from mildlyinteresting
How Long Does it Take for Beer to Freeze and Explode in the Freezer?
As mentioned, the exact time until the beer freezes and explodes depends on several factors, being the alcohol and sugar content the most important. However, follow the recommendation of not leaving the beer in your freezer more than 30 minutes.
Set a timer for 20 minutes!
"Friend" put some beers in my freezer and forgot about them. from mildlyinfuriating
Can You Leave Beer In The Freezer Overnight?
No, you should not leave beer in the freezer overnight. I remember the day like it was yesterday. I had been tasked with making a batch of bottle and cans of beer for the party that day and, eager to get it done quickly, I threw a few bottles into the freezer. And, I forgot some… I tell you, you don’t want the mess in the freezer after the explosion. With this knowledge under my belt now, I certainly won’t be leaving any beers in there overnight again!
The freezer is a quick chilling solution, but is not the place to store your beer.
Alternative Methods For Chilling Your Beer Quickly
Overall, while chilling beer in the freezer may seem like a quick and easy option, it is important to weigh the potential risks and consider alternative methods of chilling beer to ensure a safe and enjoyable drinking experience.
After my beer-exploding incident, I decided to look into alternative methods for quickly chilling my beers. I investigated and through some testing, I have compiled a list of methods of how to chill a beer fast which you may find useful.
By the way, I did not consider using ice cubes or any other method that can affect the genuine and real taste of the beer.
In summary, here you have the table of chilling times:
| Method | Chilling time is about |
| Put the beer in the freezer | 20–30 minutes |
| Wrap the beer with wet paper towel when stay in the freezer | 10–15 minutes |
| Soak the beer in an ice bath with salt | 2 minutes |
| Soak the beer in an ice bath with salt in a cooler | 2 minutes |
| Soak the beer in ice water | 30 minutes |
| Use a chiller machine: Chill-o-Matic | 1 minute |
| Leave the beer in the fridge | 2–4 hours |
| Submerge your beer in a river or cold water | 2–4 hours |
| Bury the beers | more than 4 hours |
| The 2 pots method | more than 4 hours |
| Blow your beer with compressed air | 3–5 minutes |
In Conclusion
In conclusion, knowing how long to chill beer in the freezer can make all the difference in the quality of your drinking experience. By following the steps and tips provided in this article, you can safely and quickly chill your beer without risking explosions or ruining its taste.
Remember, it’s important to never leave beer in the freezer for more than 30 minutes to avoid ruining it. Always set a timer and check on your beer frequently to ensure it doesn’t freeze or explode. Now, you can enjoy a chilled beer in a hot summer day even if you forgot to think ahead.
Cheers!