Article: Bag of Ice Sizes: 2kg vs 12kg Explained (UK)
Bag of Ice Sizes: 2kg vs 12kg Explained (UK)
Bags of ice in the UK range from small retail packs to large catering bags. At Nice Ice we sell two sizes: a 12kg bag of cube or crushed ice for £10, and 2kg retail packs of cube ice, sold as a pack of 6 for £10. The 12kg bag is the one to choose for parties, bars and events. The 2kg packs suit shops that resell ice and small gatherings at home.
| Size | Ice | Price | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12kg bag | Cube | £10 | Parties, bars, restaurants, events |
| 12kg bag | Crushed | £10 | Cocktails, displays, events |
| 2kg × 6 retail pack | Cube | £10 per pack of 6 | Shops and off-licences, small gatherings |
12kg bags vs 2kg retail packs
Six 2kg packs add up to 12kg, the same weight as one large bag, and both cost £10. The real difference is handling:
- 12kg bags are made for volume. One bag fills a good part of a cool box, ice well or drinks tub, and there is less packaging to deal with.
- 2kg packs are easy to carry and fit in a home freezer drawer or a shop freezer. Shops and off-licences resell them to their own customers.
See the 12kg bag of ice cubes, or read our guide to selling bagged ice in your shop.
How many drinks does a 12kg bag serve?
It depends on your glasses, so rather than give one number, here is a simple method you can use with your own:
- Step 1: fill one of the glasses you will be using with ice.
- Step 2: weigh that ice on kitchen scales, in grams.
- Step 3: divide 12,000 (the grams in a 12kg bag) by that weight.
- Step 4: allow extra for melting, refills and any ice used to chill bottles.
For example, if your glass holds 200g of ice, 12,000 ÷ 200 = 60 glasses before any melting or refills. A tall glass packed with crushed ice will take more, and a short glass with a couple of cubes will take less.
Which size for parties, bars and shops
Parties and events
Go for 12kg bags. As a rough guide, allow about 0.5 to 1kg of ice per guest for drinks only, and about 1 to 1.5kg per guest on a hot day, at a long event, or if you are chilling bottles in tubs. For 50 guests, that is about 3 to 5 bags for drinks only, or 5 to 7 bags on a hot day. Our guide on how much ice you need for a party has more examples, and our party ice delivery and wedding ice delivery pages explain how ordering works.
Bars, restaurants and offices
12kg bags of cube or crushed ice. For crushed ice, see crushed ice delivery. For office parties and work events, see corporate event ice.
Shops and off-licences
2kg retail packs, sold in packs of 6. They are sized for customers to carry home. Exceptional profit margins on pallet orders for wholesalers and resellers. Ask for a quote.
How long a 12kg bag lasts in a cooler
There is no fixed time. It depends on the weather, the cool box and how often it is opened. A closed, insulated cool box kept out of the sun will hold ice far longer than an open tub. Bigger quantities also tend to last longer than small ones because the ice keeps itself cold. Our guide to how long ice lasts in a cooler has practical tips.
Prices and delivery
- 12kg bag of cube ice: £10.
- 12kg bag of crushed ice: £10.
- 2kg cube ice retail pack, 6 bags: £10.
- Free London delivery from 5 × 12kg bags. Some outer areas have a £15 or £20 charge. Check our delivery areas page.
- Order by 5pm, Monday to Saturday, for next-day delivery in an 8am to 1pm or 1pm to 5pm slot.
Prices across the UK vary. Our guide on how much a bag of ice costs in the UK covers what to look out for, and our big bags of ice FAQ answers more questions about large bags.
Ready to order? Choose your ice and delivery date here. Order by 5pm, Monday to Saturday, for next-day delivery.
Bag of ice sizes: FAQs
How much does a bag of ice weigh? It depends on the bag. Our large bags weigh 12kg and our retail packs weigh 2kg each, sold in packs of 6. Always check the weight on the bag when comparing prices.
What's the biggest bag of ice you can buy? Our largest bag is 12kg, available as cube or crushed ice for £10. For big events, order several 12kg bags rather than looking for one larger bag.
How many bags of ice for a party of 50? As a rough guide, about 3 to 5 bags of 12kg for drinks only, or 5 to 7 bags on a hot day or if you are chilling bottles in tubs.
Can shops resell 2kg packs? Yes. Our 2kg cube ice packs are retail packs, and shops and off-licences resell them. They come in packs of 6 for £10.
