How to Keep Enough Ice at an Outdoor Party: Ice Maker vs Ice Bags

How to Keep Enough Ice at an Outdoor Party: Ice Maker vs Ice Bags

MARCH 2025.6

Share:

As the weather grows warmer, spring quietly arrives. Most people start adding new appliances to their homes to better entertain family and friends. Whether it's gatherings or parties, ice remains indispensable. I once tried buying large quantities of bagged ice from the supermarket to store in my freezer. However, this ice melted faster than I anticipated. Sometimes I faced the awkward situation of guests complaining about warm drinks, or having to rush to the store for more ice only to find it sold out. Trust me, I never want to experience that again. So I jumped on the spring sale and bought this Kismile Nugget Ice Maker—it's easily the best investment I've ever made.

How Much Ice Do You Actually Need for a Party?

Typically, when hosting a 4-5 hour party, you should plan on providing 2-3 pounds of ice per guest. This includes ice for drinks, cocktails, and keeping beverages chilled.
Here is a quick estimate::
10 guests = 20–30 lbs of ice
20 guests = 40–60 lbs of ice
30 guests = 60–90 lbs of ice
First, consider the number of guests you'll be hosting. Next, think about the type of event you're planning—whether it's an outdoor party, barbecue, or tailgate—because some foods also rely on ice for preservation. For instance, if you're hosting a 20-person backyard party, you might need around 50 pounds of ice to keep drinks chilled. That's several large bags of ice, and once it starts melting, your ice supply will dwindle quickly.
Because of this, many hosts find themselves making last-minute trips to the store during the party. This also meant they were extremely busy throughout the entire gathering and couldn't enjoy the experience.