Conclusion: What Temperature Does Beer Freeze – So what temperature does beer freeze? The answer will depend on what type of beer you have and what ingredients it contains. Generally speaking, most beers will freeze at temperatures below -16°C (-18°F).
However, lighter beers with lower alcohol levels may freeze even quicker than this. It’s important to plan accordingly and store your beer at an appropriate temperature so that it doesn’t freeze or lose any of its flavor and aroma. Now that you know what temperature does beer freeze at, you can make sure to always have a cold one on hand.
Ronald B Gamrot is the owner of Silverking Brewery, one of the most successful craft breweries in North America. He started the business from scratch in his garage, and it has since grown into a multimillion-dollar operation. Ronald is passionate about brewing delicious beer and providing top-notch customer service.
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What temp will a beer freeze?
What Temperature Does a Beer Freeze? – The average level and the most basic temperature for a beer to freeze usually goes around 28 degrees Fahrenheit. Hence, not all beers are like that, so the freezing temperature differs from each other depending on the beer you are drinking. The ABV of a beer plays an important role if you want to know the correct temperature for serving a beer.
Alcohol % | Freezing Temperature in Celsius | Freezing Temperature in Fahrenheit |
3.0% – 3.2% | -1 Celsius | 30.2 Fahrenheit |
3.2% – 3.5% | -1.11 Celsius | 30.0 Fahrenheit |
3.5% – 3.7% | -1.17Celcius to -1.22 Celsius | 29.9 Fahrenheit to 29.8 Fahrenheit |
3.8% – 4.1% | -1.28 Celsius | 29.7 Fahrenheit |
4.2% – 4.3% | -1.39 Celsius | 29.5 Fahrenheit |
4.4% – 4.7% | -1.5 Celsius to -1.56 Celsius | 29.3 Fahrenheit to 29.2 Fahrenheit |
4.8% – 5.0% | -1.67 Celsius | 29.0 Fahrenheit |
5.5% – 5.9% | -1.83 Celsius | 28.7 Fahrenheit |
6.00% | -2.06 Celsius | 28.3 Fahrenheit |
6.50% | -2.22 Celsius | 28.0 Fahrenheit |
7.00% | -2.39 Celsius | 27.7 Fahrenheit |
8.00% | -2.77 Celsius | 27.0 Fahrenheit |
9.00% | -3.1 Celsius | 26.4 Fahrenheit |
10.00% | -3.5 Celsius | 25.7 Fahrenheit |
Always remember that a frozen beer can be slushy and loses its aroma, taste, and character. There are times when a frosty beer can break or explode too for freezing too much, so you should be cautious if you want to serve your beer frozen.
Does beer freeze at 25 degrees?
Does Beer Freeze? Answers to All Your Beer Storage Questions Mar 01, 2018 If you’re a serious beer drinker, you’re not alone. Crafter brewers have taken the beer world by storm, and there are out there than there were back in 2009. You can sip on just about any type of beer you can imagine, from a local IPA to something fruity from several states away.
- But if you’re going to invest in a collection of amazing beers to share with family and friends, you should know how to protect your investment.
- Improper storage can make your beer go bad long before it should, and that means wasting money — and possibly having a very unpleasant tasting experience! In the worst-case scenario, a beer bottle could explode on you, leaving you with a mess of broken glass and suds to clean up.
To get the absolute most out of your favorite brews, you need to know how to store them. To solve some of the biggest mysteries about beer storage, here are the answers to — and some of the science behind — your most pressing beer storage questions. Yes! You’ve probably put beers in your home freezer to quickly chill them for a crowd at your Super Bowl party, but woe to the person who forgets about a couple leftover brewskis in the freezer overnight.
After several hours, beer will freeze, and the extra pressure that builds up in the bottle could force the cap off — or worse, cause the bottle to break. In that case, you’ll have some serious cleanup to do. The reason you can keep your beer in the freezer for a little while is because alcohol has a lower freezing temperature than pure water,
Beer also has sugar in it, which lowers the freezing temperature, too. If you’ve ever tried to freeze fruit juice, you know that you’ll end up with a grainy, slushy ice cube instead of solid one. This is because the sugar keeps water from freezing, and the first ice you get in a frozen beer will be flaky like that.
- Maybe. If you catch your beer when it is only partially frozen and the bottle is still intact, you can probably just put it in the refrigerator and drink it later.
- If there are still ice crystals in the beer bottle when you open it, be aware that the beer you pour will have a higher alcohol concentration than normal.
This is because the frozen part is almost certainly pure water, and that leave behind all the beer’s alcohol suspended in less water. That will boost the overall percent alcohol content of your drink, giving you an extra kick. For a really good beer, freezing and thawing may alter the flavor or aroma in ways you don’t expect — or enjoy.
- It’s probably worth tasting before you throw out a frozen beer, but if it seems off after a partial freeze, you can,
- Beer is great in marinades for meat, braising liquid for stews or as a flavor additive to fondue and chili.
- You can even use beer to make bread if you’re feeling adventurous.
- It depends on the alcohol content of the beer.
A stronger beer — that is, one with more alcohol in it — will freeze at a lower temperature than a lighter beer. This is because ethanol — the alcohol found in beer — has a far lower freezing point than water. While water freezes at 32 degree Fahrenheit,,
Alas, no beer is made of pure alcohol. Most are somewhere between 4 and 6 percent alcohol by volume (ABV), though some do go up to 10 or 12 percent ABV. Because the alcohol content lowers the freezing point of beer, more alcohol means a lower freezing point — and that means you have more time before you need to rescue a beer can or bottle from certain doom in the freezer.
Each beer will vary based on its ABV, but a good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that a, That means that most beers with a standard 6 percent ABV will freeze before they get that cold. The average temperature of a home freezer is 0 degrees Fahrenheit, so you’re on the clock to remove those chilling beers within an hour or two.
If you live somewhere like Minnesota or Canada, you should be extremely cautious about leaving a case of beer in the trunk of your car for a long time on a cold winter night, Though your car will provide some insulation for a time, bottled beer will freeze below 25 degrees and leave you with a big mess to clean up.If you live in Florida, don’t worry about your cold beer causing you trouble overnight.
Just don’t forget about it and let it heat up in the sun — if your beer is exposed for too long. Yes! Professional and home brewers sometimes freeze beer to make Eisbock, or ice beer, This is done by partially freezing beer and then removing the ice, which is just frozen water in the early stages.
- Because the alcohol is still in its liquid state, it stays behind in the beer.
- This is a way to raise a beer’s alcohol content without changing the recipe and flavors during fermentation.
- If you’re really feeling adventurous, you might also try pouring out some beer into a shallow pan and to cool you down on a hot summer day.
Beer’s alcohol content also allows it to be shelf stable for quite a bit longer than most foods — that’s why it was invented in the first place. Most beers should be stored at 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit for longevity. This is traditional “cellar” temperature and matches the coolness you’d find in a root cellar or wine grotto.
However, modern homes often have heated basements that are too warm for long-term storage of beer. Likewise, your kitchen refrigerator is much colder than necessary for storing beer. The recommended temperature for a refrigerator that stores food is about 38 degrees, which many people consider too cold even for serving beer or all but the lightest beers on the hottest days.
It’s a common misconception that an ice- cold beer has the best flavor, and most craft brews taste best served between 40 and 55 degrees. Because your house is likely too warm and your kitchen refrigerator is too cold, alcoholic beverages deserve their own coolers.
- A is a perfect solution so your unopened bottles can have their Goldilocks moment: not too hot, not too cold, but just right.
- Choose a model that allows you full temperature control so you can store your beer at the right “cellaring” temperature and adjust it for serving based on the type of beer and your personal preferences.
A great beer fridge will also provide appropriate UV protection to keep out the harmful rays of the sun. Remember, it’s the extra light that causes beer to degrade and become “skunked,” so beers kept in a dark environment will last longer and be far more enjoyable when you do crack them open.
- It’s definitely common to see people pop their beer cans and bottles into the freezer for a quick chill, but this could be tempting fate.
- Sure, you can store grain alcohol like vodka in the freezer to keep it cold and it will stay liquid forever, but that’s because vodka is typically 40 percent alcohol.
All that extra ethanol lowers the freezing point well below the 0-degree mark of your home freezer, so that’s fine. Your beer and wine are another story altogether, so exercise caution. If you do choose to go for the rapid chill, set a reminder on your phone so you don’t forget to remove those bottles by the end of the night.
For truly best beer storage results, it’s well worth it to invest in a dedicated beer fridge to hold all your favorite brews. When you’re serious about taking in all the rich flavors of a small-batch brewed beer, storing and serving your brews at the proper temperature will ensure the best possible flavor and enjoyment.
There are loads of models to choose from, whether you prefer a built-in cooler in a kitchen or a freestanding version for a man cave or home bar. Once you experience the convenience of having your beer always ready at the perfect temperature, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without your beverage cooler! : Does Beer Freeze? Answers to All Your Beer Storage Questions
What temp does 7% beer freeze?
Conclusion: What Temperature Does Beer Freeze – So what temperature does beer freeze? The answer will depend on what type of beer you have and what ingredients it contains. Generally speaking, most beers will freeze at temperatures below -16°C (-18°F).
- However, lighter beers with lower alcohol levels may freeze even quicker than this.
- It’s important to plan accordingly and store your beer at an appropriate temperature so that it doesn’t freeze or lose any of its flavor and aroma.
- Now that you know what temperature does beer freeze at, you can make sure to always have a cold one on hand.
Ronald B Gamrot is the owner of Silverking Brewery, one of the most successful craft breweries in North America. He started the business from scratch in his garage, and it has since grown into a multimillion-dollar operation. Ronald is passionate about brewing delicious beer and providing top-notch customer service.
What temperature does 20% alcohol freeze?
What Is the Freezing Point of Alcohol?
The Freezing Temperatures of Alcohol | ||
---|---|---|
Type | ABV | Freezing Point |
40-Proof Liquor | 20% | 22 F (-7 C) |
64-Proof Liquor | 32% | -10 F (-23 C) |
80-Proof Liquor | 40% | -17 F (-27 C) |
Is frozen beer OK?
Help! My beer is frozen solid. Now what? Someone left their beer out in the cold. Now it’s frozen like a beer popsicle. It happens to all of us. This time of year, I’ve been known to (forgetfully and regrettably) leave a few bottles/cans outside to glaciate.
I realize this is a serious beer foul. Don’t judge me. But sometimes, when our fridge is packed with holiday leftovers — leaving no room for brews — I’ll move a six-pack or two outdoors to chill. Then I might forget about them. Sometimes overnight. Then alas, the beers have turned to blocks of ice. And apparently, if you leave a case of beer in the trunk of your car for too long when temps drop below 32 degrees it’ll freeze in there, too.
I’ve pulled this stupid move more than a few times. It’s kinda my thing. I’ve even made the same mistake in the summer, when I’ve tried to “force-chill” a few bottles — really fast — by jamming them in the freezer. Then, after a few hours or so, I’ll remember them.
But by then, they’re practically permafrost. This may have happened to you. I see your head shaking. I’m sure we all have questions about this icy issue. My freezing fascination led to a Q&A with Lehigh Valley brewing authority Jeff Bonner, head brewer and CEO of Cave Brewing. In addition to being an accomplished beer maker, Bonner also holds a nuclear engineering degree from the University of Arizona.
Bonner’s wife is a chemical engineer — so, this couple knows their stuff. After a gentle scolding, Bonner set me straight on the cold, hard facts about my haphazard beer slushies. Larimer: Is frozen beer safe to drink even when the bottle is a solid block of ice or the can is bulging and hideously deformed? Bonner: It’s safe to drink. Follow beer writer Craig Larimer on Twitter @craftbeerlv What happens to the beer when it freezes and how does it change the flavor? Let’s say it is a regular 5 or 6% alcohol beer and it was left outside at 25 degrees. That’s enough to freeze the water in there, but not enough to freeze the alcohol. What you’ll get is something that tastes different. It’s going to taste more boozy. Because what you have, in effect, done is distilled the alcohol. The contents are physically separated (by the freezing.) If you were to cut that can open what you would see inside is a whole lotta ice. But then what you would have is a fair amount of liquid as well. That liquid would be almost pure alcohol. Most likely at the bottom. It wouldn’t breathe, so as the water froze, that alcohol would begin to fall out of that and pull near the bottom. Is there a smarter way to thaw a frozen beer? It depends when you want to drink it. Thawing it in the refrigerator is good like thawing a turkey or a chicken. It’s not going to go bad. Unlike meat, where you may be exposing it to other bacteria in the fridge because the beer is sealed, it’s safe. So thawing your beer out at room temperature in the basement or in the fridge is fine. >> READ MORE Have you accidentally frozen beer before? I’ve done it. We’ve all done it. I’ve done it and popped them open and thought, Hey, this tastes even better (laughs). It’s funny. Brewing is mostly science and part art and part magic. If you don’t realize that all these things are involved, you are missing something. Editor’s note: Obviously, there is a risk to freezing beer, since bottles may break and cans may explode when left in freezing temperatures for too long. I’ve learned that thawing them out in the basement — near a drain — is best, if bottles break or cans burst. In this event, you should toss the beer along with the broken vessel. Also, I’ve had success thawing individual beers in plastic bags, which is a safer way to de-ice them, in case the primary container breaks. The plastic bag will catch the sloppy mess for easy clean-up. Morning Call Arts & Entertainment Editor and Beer Writer Craig Larimer can be reached at 610-310-6928 or at Follow Craig on Twitter : Help! My beer is frozen solid. Now what?
At what temperature does 17% alcohol freeze?
Does vodka freeze? – Wondering why your bottle of vodka won’t freeze, no matter how long you leave it in the freezer? No, there’s nothing wrong with your freezer. So, why doesn’t vodka freeze? Well, it has to do with the freezing point of alcohol, which is far lower than the traditional “freezing point” you’re most familiar with, such as water (32 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Pure ethanol alcohol needs to be -173 degrees Fahrenheit to freeze.
- At around 40 percent alcohol (80 proof), vodka has a freezing point that hovers at around -16 degrees Fahrenheit.
- And while putting it in the freezer will affect it somewhat, it won’t freeze solid in your traditional freezer.
- When alcohol freezes, it becomes more viscous and thicker because the water in it freezes, but the actual alcohol has a lower freezing point and it does not freeze as quickly or easily,” explains Amy Leigh Mercree, holistic health expert and bestselling author of ten books including The Mood Book,
“The freezing process is also hindered by the average household freezer; the typical freezer is about 0 degrees Fahrenheit.” Is your freezer at the right temperature ? So, no, no matter how long you leave vodka in your regular freezer, it will never freeze solid—your freezer is about 16 degrees too warm for that to happen.
Will Guinness freeze?
Leftover Guinness Hello, Asked by bettyflo. Answered on 2nd April 2013 Is it possible to freeze leftover Guinness? Seems a waste to have to throw away half a can after one measure for the Chocolate Guinness Cake. I know it wouldnt be suitable for “drinking” but maybe for the next cake? Thank you! It is possible to freeze leftover beer and wine, but these are only suitable for use in cooking.
It is useful when you only need a small amount of wine, such as when making a risotto, to be able to scoop some from a container in the freezer (the alcohol content in beer and wine means that they do not freeze solid but remain slushy). For beers, such as Guinness, you will find that the liquid looses its fizz on freezing.
So when using up the frozen Guinness you will need to consider the individual recipe. Unfortunately for the Chocolate Guinness Cake the carbonation can help to give the cake a bit of a lift, so it may not be a good idea to use the Guinness for baking.
- However, you could use it successfully in stews and casseroles, such as Nigella’s Beer Braised Beef Casserole (from Kitchen).
- You can thaw the frozen beer before using it, though for stews it is sometimes easier just to add the frozen beer directly to the pan and let it melt quickly over a medium heat.
: Leftover Guinness
Will beer freeze over night?
Will beer freeze in my cold car? – It ultimately depends on where you live. We covered that the freezing temperature for most beers is around 28 degrees Fahrenheit, so as long as your winter nights aren’t colder than that, then you should be okay. You should still absolutely check the weather if you plan to leave your beer in your car overnight.
If you live in a region that experiences harsh winters, then you’re out of luck. Remember when we talked about the possibility of your beer bottles exploding when they freeze? If you think cleaning our your fridge is hard, then just imagine how much more miserable you’ll be when you have to deep clean the interior of your car.
My advice: just save yourself the headache and take it in to the fridge.
What temp does 9% beer freeze?
As you probably already know, the temperature at which beer freezes varies quite a bit. The biggest factor is how much alcohol is in the beer because alcohol has a very low freezing point. Beer that is 5 percent alcohol by volume freezes at 27 degrees Fahrenheit. Beer with 9% ABV 25 or 26 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can whiskey freeze?
Should You Freeze Whiskey? Whiskey is a complex drink with many variables that affect the flavor. One of the most common questions about whiskey is whether or not it will freeze — and should you freeze whiskey? The answer to the first question: No – whiskey will not freeze in a regular freezer.
Why you shouldn’t freeze beer?
Africa Studio/Shutterstock If you like to drink beer, chances are you also prefer to consume it while it’s cold. Whether it be served from the tap in a frosty glass, or straight out of the can at a summer barbecue, there’s just something so satisfying about ice cold beer.
- While it might be a common practice to flash chill room temperature beer in the freezer before taking a swig, according to product review site Reviewed, it’s not the best idea.
- Unlike other alcoholic drinks, specifically ones that are 70-proof or higher, beer will actually solidify and potentially explode when frozen for too long.
And unfortunately, even if you plan to leave your beer in the freezer only until it’s perfectly chilled, it’ll still be affected in more ways than just temperature. Per Reviewed, freezing beer can alter the proteins in the beverage, as well as the level of carbonation.
How long does beer take to freeze?
Inside Coolers with Dry Ice – Dry ice isn’t just used by hospitals and transportation companies. Many people use dry ice for gardening, camping or fishing trips, and flash freezing. You may be surprised to find that you can also use it to chill your lagers.
- If you can get your hands on a few packs of dry ice, consider using it to chill your beer in a small cooler.
- The temperature of dry ice is around -109 degrees Fahrenheit, which allows it to freeze your beer in a matter of minutes.
- Be sure to set a divider in the cooler, as you don’t want the beer cans or bottles to make direct contact with the ice.
You should also wrap the ice in plastic-and never touch it without a pair of insulated gloves. The amount of time it takes to chill the beer will depend on how many beers you have and how much dry ice you use. On average, it may take around about 20-40 minutes.
What is the freezing point of 40% alcohol?
Does vodka freeze? – Wondering why your bottle of vodka won’t freeze, no matter how long you leave it in the freezer? No, there’s nothing wrong with your freezer. So, why doesn’t vodka freeze? Well, it has to do with the freezing point of alcohol, which is far lower than the traditional “freezing point” you’re most familiar with, such as water (32 degrees Fahrenheit).
Pure ethanol alcohol needs to be -173 degrees Fahrenheit to freeze. At around 40 percent alcohol (80 proof), vodka has a freezing point that hovers at around -16 degrees Fahrenheit. And while putting it in the freezer will affect it somewhat, it won’t freeze solid in your traditional freezer. “When alcohol freezes, it becomes more viscous and thicker because the water in it freezes, but the actual alcohol has a lower freezing point and it does not freeze as quickly or easily,” explains Amy Leigh Mercree, holistic health expert and bestselling author of ten books including The Mood Book,
“The freezing process is also hindered by the average household freezer; the typical freezer is about 0 degrees Fahrenheit.” Is your freezer at the right temperature ? So, no, no matter how long you leave vodka in your regular freezer, it will never freeze solid—your freezer is about 16 degrees too warm for that to happen.
Will a beer freeze in the freezer?
Beer Hacks: How to make your beers cold – quick! Photo: vladans | iStock | Getty Images Plus The following is an excerpt from Ben Robinson’s book, Hear Robinson’s creative workarounds for when you find yourself a legit bottle opener and his suggested glassware for specific serving temperatures, Every beer drinker has been in the Worst of All Situations: coming home after a long, hard day at the quarry and realizing that (1) you really need to get a cushier job, and worse, (2) the fridge is empty and all the beer in the house is every bit as warm as the freshly used multiblade gang saw from back down at the quarry.
- The Wet Rag + the Freezer Method
- Let’s start with the lowest-effort approach.
- Cold beer ETA: 7 to 10 minutes
Grab your least-gross rag, get it good and wet with cold water, then wring out the excess. The idea is that you want the water to freeze around the beer as quickly as possible. So, if it’s oversaturated, that’s going to be tough. Paper towels can work if you’re in a ragless pinch, but really, a rag or dish towel or even an actual towel is what you want here.
Once it’s prepped, grab your beer and wrap it up, going once around the can or bottle with the rag/towel, or a few spins with the paper towels. Then just toss the beer in the freezer (if you can rest it on a tray or bag of ice, all the better), close the door (crucial step!), and set your stopwatch for 7 minutes (although if your freezer is crammed, it may take 10).
A standard 12-ounce can or bottle may not even take that long, and that time parameter should get a 22-ounce bomber decently chilled as well. When the time’s up, your towel should be frozen somewhat solid and want desperately to stay attached to the bottle. Ben Robinson Photo: Kaitlyn Flanagan
- The Spin It in a Bucket Full of Ice + Salt Method
- Yes, your hand is going to get cold with this one.
- Cold beer ETA: 3 minutes
All you need for this is water; a bowl, bucket, beer pitcher, or other fairly large receptacle to put that water in; enough salt to make all the slugs in your neighborhood uncomfortable; and a hand that likes to spin things/doesn’t mind getting a little cold.
Note: This is great for hotels, which often don’t have a fridge but do have all the rest of these things, especially if you’re bold enough to ask for a hundred salt packets from room service.) If you remember ninth-grade chemistry class, you’ll remember that protons have a positive charge, electrons have a negative one, and the emergency eye wash is completely hilarious to trick people into drinking water out of.
You may or may not also recall the principles behind boiling point elevation/freezing point depression. The technical definition involves entropy and thermodynamics, sooo, let’s skip all that and say: If you put salt into water, it makes the temperature at which the water freezes go way down.
- So, if you put salt into water and ice, it causes the ice to melt, making the whole bath significantly colder than ice plus water minus salt.
- Which makes your beer cold, if you put it in.
- It’s the same exact set of principles that make antifreeze work, but since you’ll be drinking the beer, maybe don’t think about that.
There are a couple of key moves to keep in mind here. First, you’re not using a pinch of salt; you need a lot. Like, cups of the stuff. Literal cups! Just dump it in and stir, then add as much ice as you can find. The next is that once it goes into the bath, you need to spin the bottle or can round and round as much as possible, which will accelerate the cooling process and make your hand remarkably cold (you will be a much happier/less frostbitten beer drinker if you do this with a bottle instead of a can, so you can grab and spin the neck outside the ice bath). Beer Hacks by Ben Robinson
- The Fire Extinguisher Method
- It may not be the most cost-efficient approach, but blasting your beer with a fire extinguisher will certainly get it good and cold.
- ETA: 20 to 30 seconds.
The most important thing: You need a carbon dioxide extinguisher, not a monoammonium phosphate version. It works by starving a fire of oxygen, but that same overabundance of CO2 also makes things very, very chilly. This hack is dead simple. You just put the beer in a bucket so it stays in one place (also, holding it would likely prove to be unwise), trigger the fire extinguisher in quick, repeating 1- to-2-second blasts at the beer, quickly rinse it off, and drink.
- Twenty to 30 seconds should do it, depending on the size of the beer.
- All CO2 extinguishers have a “horn” from which the discharge emits, but some have one that’s large enough to rest a beer snugly inside.
- If yours does, definitely do that, as the gas will contact the beer more directly and speed up the cooling process.
Also, do this outside. You’ll see why. Just remember to recharge the fire extinguisher, in case there’s an actual fire, and to put your beers in the fridge more promptly in the future, so you don’t have to keep recharging fire extinguishers. Important note: Fire extinguishers are simple to use correctly and safely, but if you’re not doing that, they can be pretty damn dangerous.
What is the freezing point of alcohol in Celsius?
Why Does Water Freeze Before Alcohol Does? Why water freezes before alcohol does. We recently explained that one reason is much lower than water’s is because of its alcohol content. But we didn’t explain why alcohol has a much lower freezing point than water. Let’s explain that now (hint: water molecules are “stickier.”) A substance freezes when its molecules become “stuck” in a fixed array as a solid.
- That substance’s freezing point is the temperature at which the force of attraction between its molecules becomes strong enough to overcome the energy of motion that its molecules have when the substance is in its liquid state.
- One factor that influences this freezing point is the strength of the attractive forces between the molecules – the stronger the forces, the higher the freezing point.
In other words, a substance whose molecules are very attracted to each other will freeze at a warmer temperature than a substance whose molecules are less attracted to each other. Water molecules are more attracted to each other than ethanol (alcohol) molecules, because water has more hydrogen atoms bonded to oxygen.
A hydrogen bonded to an oxygen is more “attractive” than a carbon bonded to an oxygen. So, water molecules are “stickier” than ethanol molecules – making it easier for water molecules to get “stuck” (i.e., freeze.) Since ethanol molecules aren’t as sticky as water molecules, the temperature has to be a lot lower before the forces of attraction overcome the energy of motion and fix the molecules into their array sites.
So, that’s why alcohol has a much lower freezing point – -114.7 degrees Celsius (-174.6 degrees Fahrenheit), as opposed to water’s freezing point of 0 degrees C (32 degrees F.) Note: Many thanks to Dr., associate teaching professor of chemistry at NC State, for taking the time to talk to The Abstract about the science of freezing.