The Most Common Mistakes People Make When Buying Ice for Outdoor Events

Planning an outdoor event takes a lot of preparation, and one detail that’s often overlooked is ice. Whether you’re hosting a graduation party, backyard BBQ, wedding, family reunion, or corporate gathering, running out of ice can quickly put a damper on the celebration.

At Long Island Ice & Fuel, we’ve helped customers across Long Island keep their events stocked with quality bagged cylindrical ice. Here are some of the most common mistakes people make when buying ice—and how you can avoid them.

Waiting Until the Last Minute

One of the biggest mistakes is waiting until the last minute to think about your ice needs. Summer weekends, graduations, weddings, and holiday celebrations are some of the busiest times of the year, so planning ahead is always a smart move.

If you know you’ll need a larger quantity of ice, give Long Island Ice & Fuel a call in advance. We offer convenient ice delivery services, making it easy to have the right amount of ice delivered directly to your event location so you can focus on enjoying the day.

Underestimating How Much Ice You’ll Need

Many people think only of ice for drinks, but that’s just one part of the equation. Ice is often needed for beverage coolers, food displays, and keeping bottled drinks cold throughout your event.

Not sure how much ice you’ll need? Long Island Ice & Fuel offers a free online Ice Calculator to help you estimate the right amount based on your event. And if you’d rather speak with someone directly, our team is always happy to answer your questions and help you determine the best quantity for your order.

Forgetting About the Weather

Hot, sunny days can cause ice to melt more quickly, especially when coolers are left in direct sunlight. To help maximize your ice, keep coolers in shaded areas whenever possible and open them only when necessary.

Using separate coolers for beverages and food can also help maintain colder temperatures by reducing how often each cooler is opened.

Using the Wrong Cooler Setup

Even the best planning can fall short if coolers aren’t used effectively. Filling coolers ahead of time, keeping them out of direct sunlight, and organizing beverages separately from food can help keep everything colder throughout your event.

A little planning goes a long way toward making sure guests always have a cold drink waiting for them.

Not Having a Backup Supply

It’s always better to have a little extra ice than not enough. As your event progresses, guests may use more ice than expected, and having additional bags on hand gives you peace of mind. For everyday needs or smaller gatherings, you don’t always have to place a large order. 

Long Island Ice & Fuel’s pre-packaged bagged ice is available at participating convenience stores and grocery stores throughout Suffolk County, making it easy to pick up ice whenever you need it.

Count on Long Island Ice & Fuel

Whether you’re planning a backyard cookout, graduation party, wedding, corporate event, or family celebration, Long Island Ice & Fuel is here to help. From convenient ice delivery for larger events to pre-packaged cylindrical ice available at participating retail locations throughout Suffolk County, we make it easy to stay stocked for every occasion.

If you have questions about how much ice you’ll need, give us a call. Our knowledgeable team is happy to help you choose the right amount to keep your event cool from start to finish.