How can i make an insulator using a coffee can?

Question

i need to make a homemade insulator to keep an icecube frozen for ten hours or more. i cant use freeezer packs or anything, so what would i need? thanks

Answer 1

The first responder has one idea.

You can look at: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hba... to get an idea of which materials are the best insulators.  You can see that air itself is pretty decent, so wrapping the cube in aluminum foil and hanging the cube in the can with thin string or nylon fishing line and closing the lid would work well.  To minimize convection, some thin plastic baffles mounted horizontally will stop the convective air currents.

Polyurethane foam is also better than styrofoam, but it has to be the stuff used for seat cushions or pillows.

Aerogel is the best, by far, but also the most expensive.

Answer 2

either lots of cork or lots of styrofoam. put the cork/styrofoam in the coffee can and line the entire inside. put the ice cube completely surrounded with cork/styrofoam in the can and cover with more cork/styrofoam.

close the can and cover the can with silver foil

this cork/styrofoam thing is an old trick ppl used to use to keep ice frozen from the winter cold all through summer

Answer 3

Rey has the right idea.

some additional help. First wrap the ice in plastic wrap then in AL foil, then put it in the middle of the can with styrofoam all around it. Close the top of the can. If you can wrap the entire outside with foil.

To minimize losses, wear gloves. Chill all the parts before hand as cold as you can. Practice so you can get the ice cube wrapped and placed quickly.