what alcohol % is freezer safe?

Chiropteran · 03-14-2008, 06:25 PM

I know beer will freeze in a normal freezer. 80 proof alcohol won't.

Does anyone know the actual % of alcohol that a beverage has to contain to never freeze in a normal consumer freezer?

I naturally prefer cold alcohol, but I don't want to put something in the freezer and end up with a big mess when the liquid freezes and breaks the bottle it is in.

Farang · 03-14-2008, 06:27 PM

Depends on the freezer.

Nitemare · 03-14-2008, 06:27 PM

knew somebody that stored Canadian Mist in their freezer, so it doesn't have to be that much

that's 80 proof

Gothgar · 03-14-2008, 06:28 PM

I'd think anything over 20% probably wouldn't freeze (about 40 proof) not sure though, just a guess.

Atomic Playboy · 03-14-2008, 06:31 PM

It does depend on the freezer settings, but I think you're generally looking at 40 proof and up at minimum. Most stuff you'd want to store in a freezer (vodka, gin, peppermint schnapps, jaegermeister) are 80 proof or higher, so it's not generally an issue. What liqueur were you thinking of freezing (or is it just for curiosity's sake)?

Chiropteran · 03-14-2008, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: Atomic PlayboyWhat liqueur were you thinking of freezing (or is it just for curiosity's sake)?

Rum, 70 proof. I'm pretty sure it would be safe in my freezer, but I was just curious, never know what I might want cold in the future.

I like my drinks cold, but I don't like unnecessary dilution with ice.

Eli · 03-14-2008, 06:36 PM

80 proof will freeze at about -30ºF.

20 proof will freeze at about 20ºF.

Pure alcohol freezes at -173.2ºF.

My freezer is 4ºF.

GagHalfrunt · 03-14-2008, 06:36 PM

Do some tests and find out. Mix 80 proof 50/50 with water so that it's 20% ABV and see what happens.

Farang · 03-14-2008, 06:39 PM

You're fine with the rum. It is good to keep it in the freezer if you make cocktails, alcohol melts ice quickly so it helps to start off cold.

imported_Baloo · 03-14-2008, 09:25 PM

It' safe an any %. May not freeze, but not like it's gonna explode or something.

waffleironhead · 03-14-2008, 09:39 PM

Its higher than 26%. I make wine and hard cider and allow the yeast die a natural death(alchohol poisoning)my batches end up anywhere between 18-26% and all of them will freeze in a chest freezer.

djheater · 03-14-2008, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: waffleironhead
Its higher than 26%. I make wine and hard cider and allow the yeast die a natural death(alchohol poisoning)my batches end up anywhere between 18-26% and all of them will freeze in a chest freezer.

Says the man who's illegally distilling apple-jack

Gonna try oaking my cider this time to try and enhance body. mmmm... cider....

Suggest yeast strains and sugar amounts via... I'd like to kill them off and back sweeten a batch....

Rebasxer · 03-14-2008, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: Atomic Playboy
It does depend on the freezer settings, but I think you're generally looking at 40 proof and up at minimum. Most stuff you'd want to store in a freezer (vodka, gin, peppermint schnapps, jaegermeister) are 80 proof or higher, so it's not generally an issue. What liqueur were you thinking of freezing (or is it just for curiosity's sake)?

I'm pretty sure Jager is 70proof. Although it doesn't freeze very easily.

nakedfrog · 03-14-2008, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: waffleironhead
Its higher than 26%. I make wine and hard cider and allow the yeast die a natural death(alchohol poisoning)my batches end up anywhere between 18-26% and all of them will freeze in a chest freezer.

Yeah, I think it's between 30-35%, I had some 26% Apfelkorn freeze.

Vic · 03-14-2008, 11:47 PM

If your hard liquor freezes solid in your freezer, it's because someone been nipping on it and topping it off with water.

Eli · 03-15-2008, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: Vic
If your hard liquor freezes solid in your freezer, it's because someone been nipping on it and topping it off with water.

loki8481 · 03-15-2008, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: Vic
If your hard liquor freezes solid in your freezer, it's because someone been nipping on it and topping it off with water.

if my parents only knew what percentage of their whiskey bottles are filled with iced tea from high school.

Eli · 03-15-2008, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: loki8481

Quote:

Originally posted by: Vic
If your hard liquor freezes solid in your freezer, it's because someone been nipping on it and topping it off with water.

if my parents only knew what percentage of their whiskey bottles are filled with iced tea from high school.

Iced tea?!

Were they complete drunks? LOL.. You would almost have to be not to notice that.

biggestmuff · 03-15-2008, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: Rebasxer

Quote:

Originally posted by: Atomic Playboy
It does depend on the freezer settings, but I think you're generally looking at 40 proof and up at minimum. Most stuff you'd want to store in a freezer (vodka, gin, peppermint schnapps, jaegermeister) are 80 proof or higher, so it's not generally an issue. What liqueur were you thinking of freezing (or is it just for curiosity's sake)?

I'm pretty sure Jager is 70proof. Although it doesn't freeze very easily.

Jägermeister is 70 proof. I keep it in my freezer which is set at 0 degrees F and it does not freeze.

biggestmuff · 03-15-2008, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: Vic
If your hard liquor freezes solid in your freezer, it's because someone been nipping on it and topping it off with water.

Tip of the day from a true boozer.

:beer: :wine:

loki8481 · 03-15-2008, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: Eli

Quote:

Originally posted by: loki8481

Quote:

Originally posted by: Vic
If your hard liquor freezes solid in your freezer, it's because someone been nipping on it and topping it off with water.

if my parents only knew what percentage of their whiskey bottles are filled with iced tea from high school.

Iced tea?!

Were they complete drunks? LOL.. You would almost have to be not to notice that.

my parents never drink the stuff... my dad works part-time as a security guard at giants stadium and takes home whatever crap they confiscate.

thepd7 · 03-15-2008, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: Baloo
It' safe an any %. May not freeze, but not like it's gonna explode or something.

wrong. Unless the container is open it WILL break the glass and get everywhere.

hellokeith · 03-15-2008, 10:29 PM

Depends on the water content more than the proof.

uclaLabrat · 03-15-2008, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: hellokeith
Depends on the water content more than the proof.

The proof determines the water content, does it not?

hellokeith · 03-15-2008, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: uclaLabrat

The proof determines the water content, does it not?

Almost, but not technically.. though they are closely related. Proof is alcohol % by volume (times two). Water will likely make up most of the remaining volume, but there are other things like sugar (in liquors) or grains (in beers) that will affect freezing point. A beer with alot of salt, though it has lots of water too, will not freeze as readily as a low-proof malt beverage like a wine cooler which doesn't have salt.

edit: So I guess I talked myself out of water being the main factor. All things being equal, proof is probably the easiest way to determine freezing point.