Cooking
How much ice do you need for a party?
Kilograms of ice and number of bags from guest count and event duration — drinks, BBQ or wedding.
Quick answer
Party ice is the purchase everyone guesses wrong — too little and warm drinks by hour two; too much and half melts in the car park. Rule of thumb: **kg ≈ guests × hours × 0.5** for a garden aperitivo (adjust type in the tool). **30 guests × 4 hours** at 0.5 kg/person/hour + 15% buffer → **~69 kg** — about **35 supermarket bags of 2 kg**, or a countertop ice maker plus top-up bags.
Ice to buy
69 kg (152 lb)
- 2 kg bags (rounded up)
- 35
- Ice machine hint
- ~69 kg total — consider a countertop ice maker (15–25 kg/day) plus backup bags.
Plan the rest of your party: Full party shopping list · Cocktail doses · BBQ meat per person
⚠️ Indicative quantities — store ice in shade, use food-grade bags and clean scoops.
Formula: kg ≈ guests × hours × consumption rate × (1 + buffer). Ice melts faster above 30 °C and in direct sun — use coolers and drain meltwater.
How it works
Pair with our cocktail calculator and BBQ meat planner for the full summer event list. Use cooler boxes to slow melt — drain water, don't refill with warm melt.
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Frequently asked questions
How much ice for 50 people at a wedding?+
Select "Wedding / long reception", enter 50 guests and your hours (often 5–6). At 0.55 kg/person/hour for 5 h → ~137 kg before buffer — plan supermarket runs or an ice delivery, plus several large coolers.
How many kg of ice per person for a BBQ?+
Hot outdoor BBQ with drinks: about 0.65 kg per person per hour in the calculator. A 4-hour lunch for 20 → ~52 kg base (before buffer) — more than cocktails-only because people open the cooler constantly.
Bags or ice machine for a party?+
Under ~25 kg total, bags win. Above that, a countertop maker (15–25 kg/day) reduces panic buys but rarely covers a 40+ guest party alone — combine machine + bags or order crushed ice.
How long does party ice last?+
In shade with a closed cooler: several hours. In direct July sun in an open tub: half can melt in 1–2 hours. Buy 10–15% extra (buffer in the tool) and keep backup bags in a freezer if possible.
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