In what condition should an ice pack enter the box?

A hard-looking surface does not show that the whole filling is ready. A plate goes into the box after it has been frozen through at least 5 °C below its melting point.

13 August 2026Updated 28 September 2026

Short answer

An ice pack goes into the box frozen and solidified all the way through; a hard surface is not enough. For GEBHARDT eutectic plates the freezing temperature is at least 5 °C below the melting point; for example, a -21 °C plate needs about 19 hours at -26 °C.

A plate enters the box frozen from surface to core: GEBHARDT requires the filling to be fully frozen and solid before use. The freezing temperature is chosen at least 5 °C below the melting point:

Plate melting point	Recommended freezing temperature
-3 °C	-8 °C
-14 °C	-19 °C
-18 °C	-23 °C
-21 °C	-26 °C

The time depends on temperature: a -21 °C plate needs about 19 hours at -26 °C. An air gap is left between plates; freezer setting, entry and exit time go into the record.