How can you refresh drinks quickly without affecting their shelf life?

In summer, there's nothing more pleasant than a cool drink. But when entertaining unexpectedly or returning from shopping with bottles at room temperature, it's tempting to look for quick solutions. The problem is that some techniques can damage food preservation in the fridge, or lead to unsuitable thermal shock.

In this article, Frigelux shares some effective, risk-free methods for refreshing your drinks quickly, while preserving the performance of your appliance.

1. Never place large quantities of hot bottles in the fridge

It's a common mistake to store several drinks at room temperature in the fridge, thinking they'll cool down quickly. In reality, this :

• Raises the internal temperature of the appliance;

• Disrupts the preservation of other foods, especially sensitive products (meat, fish, dairy products);

• Forces the compressor to work harder, increasing power consumption.

Frigelux tip: to preserve the internal temperature, avoid placing more than 2-3 bottles at a time in an already full fridge.

2. Use a bucket of ice water: faster than the freezer

This is the quickest and safest way to chill a drink in just a few minutes:

• Fill a large container (bucket, salad bowl) with cold water;

• Add plenty of ice cubes;

• Immerse the bottle in the water for 10 to 15 minutes;

• Turn slightly from time to time to accelerate cooling.

Water provides more uniform cooling than freezer air, and is safer for the appliance.

3. Add salt to the ice water for even greater efficiency

A tip from the professionals: add a handful of salt to your ice water.

• The salt lowers the water temperature;

• This speeds up the cooling process;

• You save up to 5 minutes on the cooling time.

Ideal for bottles of white wine, rosé or soft drinks to be served as an aperitif.

4. The freezer, with moderation and vigilance

Yes, the freezer can help out, but only under certain conditions:

• Never exceed 20 to 30 minutes, otherwiseglass bottles mayshatter or cans may warp.

• Set a timer or alarm to prevent forgetfulness.

• Don't freeze drinks that have already been opened, or soft plastic bottles.

Important: avoid overloading your freezer with hot bottles. This destabilizes its internal temperature and slows down the freezing of other products.

5. Methods to avoid

Some popular practices are ineffective, or even risky for your appliances or drinks.

• Wrapping a bottle in damp paper in the freezer: not very effective, and risky if you forget.

• Using a hairdryer in cold mode: totally ineffective.

• Placing bottles close to the fridge's cold air outlet: this impedes air circulation and can block temperature regulation.

6. Plan ahead for better management

If you entertain frequently or like to have drinks ready to serve, plan ahead:

• Store 2 or 3 bottles of water, soda or white wine permanently in the fridge;

• Use a specific shelf or compartment (in the door or at the bottom) for these products;

• Invest in a quick-ice tray or flexible ice mold to cool your glasses directly.

FAQ - Refreshing drinks safely

How long does it take to refresh a drink in iced water?

On average, 15 minutes is enough for a 75 cl bottle. If you add salt, you can reduce this time to around 10 minutes.

Can I put a glass bottle directly into the freezer?

Yes, but for no longer than 20-30 minutes. And especially not if it's filled to the top or already opened. The risk of explosion is real.

Why not overload the fridge with hot bottles?

This raises the overall temperature of the appliance, compromising the preservation of other foods and increasing power consumption.

In a nutshell

To quickly refresh your drinks without impacting your fridge or freezer:

• Use a bucket of ice water (with or without salt) for fast, safe results;

• Avoid placing too many hot bottles in the fridge at once;

• Use the freezer with care and for short periods only;

• Plan ahead by keeping a few cold drinks ready to serve.

With the right gestures and the right equipment, such as a well-organized Frigelux fridge, you can enjoy cold drinks at any time without compromising the quality of your food's preservation.