Cooling element or gel pack: which one to choose?
A cooling element is a rigid cooling block that you freeze and include in the package, while a gel pack or ice pack is the flexible version in a foil bag. Below you will read how the two differ, which sizes are available and when to choose which.
Cooling element, freezer element or cold element: the same family
This rigid cooling block is also called freezer element or cold element. In the collection of cooling elements it is the same product: a sturdy plastic housing with a gel filling, which you freeze completely and then place in the box.
The gel pack belongs to a different group. It is a flexible bag, also called an ice pack or cool pack. You will find it under ice packs. Both keep products cool without meltwater, because the gel stays solid even when it thaws.
The difference in brief
| Cooling element | Gel pack or ice pack | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Rigid plastic housing | Flexible foil bag |
| Use | Reusable hundreds of times | Suitable for single use, can also be used several times |
| Risk of tearing or leaking | Virtually none, even with rough transport | Flexible foil bag, leak-proof |
| Sizes | 200, 400 and 750 g | 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 and 1,000 g |
| Suited to | Daily logistics processes | Fresh or deep-frozen food, such as fish, meat and meals |
A 200 g cooling element suits small packages, the 400 g size is the standard for regular food and pharma shipments, and 750 g are large cooling elements for longer or larger shipments. You can read more about the large version in large cooling elements: when to choose them and what to look out for.
The cooling elements at a glance
| Weight | Size | Per master carton | Per pallet | Color and material |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 g | 150 x 80 x 20 mm | 48 pcs | 3,888 pcs | Blue, PE (polyethylene) |
| 400 g | 160 x 95 x 30 mm | 20 pcs | 1,920 pcs | Blue, PE (polyethylene) |
| 750 g | 200 x 105 x 40 mm | 16 pcs | 960 pcs | Blue, PE (polyethylene) |
Cooling elements are used in the pharmaceutical sector, in hospitality and catering, in agriculture and in logistics, to keep the temperature stable during shipping.
How to choose between a cooling element and a gel pack
Does the packaging come back?
If your packaging comes back, a cooling element is the logical choice: you use it again and again. For professional use, cooling elements are used more often than gel packs, because they perform reliably and consistently with regular transport.
If the packaging does not come back, the gel pack is a better fit: it is suitable for single use.
Cooling performance and hold time
The combination of insulation and cooling capacity determines how long products stay at temperature. Depending on the application and the insulation, a cooling element can provide constant cooling for between 24 and 72 hours. You freeze cooling elements completely beforehand, so they can hold as much cold as possible. For a 400 g gel ice pack in a thick-walled EPS box at an outside temperature of 25 °C, the following applies: up to about 30 hours below 0 °C and up to 48 hours below 8 °C. You can read more about cooling time in how long does a cold pack stay cold.
A gel pack gives off 0 °C. For frozen shipping there is the PCM pack, which gives a fixed temperature of minus 18 °C.
Freezing gel ice packs, and how many you need
You can find more about freezing and packing in freezing and packing cold packs. We cover the quantity you need in Ice pack for shipping: what determines the quantity?. Combine cooling elements with an EPS box or an insulated bag for a complete cold packaging solution.
The gel packs at a glance
The gel packs or ice packs in the ice packs collection are white and made of PE (polyethylene). The size and quantities per size are shown on the product page:
| Weight | Size | Per master carton | Per pallet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 g | 120 x 150 mm | 80 pcs | 3,200 pcs |
| 300 g | 120 x 180 mm | 60 pcs | 2,400 pcs |
| 400 g | 120 x 210 mm | 40 pcs | 1,600 pcs |
| 500 g | 120 x 220 mm | 35 pcs | 1,400 pcs |
| 600 g | 120 x 240 mm | 30 pcs | 1,200 pcs (40 cartons) |
| 1,000 g | 150 x 275 mm | 18 pcs | 720 pcs (40 cartons) |
The 400 g PCM pack (120 x 210 mm, 40 pcs per master carton, 1,600 per pallet) is the version for frozen shipping.
Applications according to the product pages
For the cooling elements, the product pages also mention hospitality and catering, for meals that stay cool during delivery and events, and fresh produce such as vegetables and fish.
All three describe the cooling elements as quick or easy to freeze and ready to use straight away. They do not melt and do not leak water, and they are suitable for air transport. For the gel packs, the pages mention air transport of fresh fish, mail shipping of meat and medicines, and the organic and fruit and vegetable sector.
Frequently asked questions about the cooling element
Can I reuse a gel pack?
A gel pack can be used several times, but is suitable for single use. For structural reuse, a cooling element is the right choice, as it can last hundreds of cycles.
What is the difference between a freezer element and a cooling element?
Freezer element, cold element and cooling element are different names for the rigid cooling block.
Is dry ice an alternative?
You can read about that in our article cold packs or dry ice.
How many cooling elements fit on a pallet?
According to the product pages, 3,888 pcs of 200 g, 1,920 pcs of 400 g and 960 pcs of 750 g.
How many 400 g gel packs are in a master carton?
Forty pieces, with 1,600 pcs per pallet. The size is 120 x 210 mm.
What are cooling elements and gel packs made of?
Both product groups list PE (polyethylene) as the material. The cooling elements are blue, the gel packs white.
Want to buy cooling elements? Not sure which size suits your shipment? Send us your route and volume via the contact page. If you want to order right away, take a look at the page buy cooling elements, where all sizes are available from stock.
You will find all names for this product in our glossary.
