Soda pop in freezer expolodes, but not in my garage?

Question

Right now it is 5 F outside, well below freezing. We have cases of pop out in the garage, that is not heated nor well insulated, but they seem to not explode. When I open a can, the pop is indeed slushy and begins to overflow, but they have yet to explode.

There have been a few times in my life that I recall a pop can exploding in the freezer. Why does it explode in the freezer but not in my garage? Also, is it "safe" to bring that pop inside now that it has been outside in this frigid weather for weeks?

Answer 1

It's just a matter of temperature. Freezers run at 0 F or below. Your garage will be a few degrees warmer than the 5 F outside.

Soda pop does not freeze at 32F. When you dissolve anything in water you lower the freezing point. That's how antifreeze works. Also, with a solution, there is no single freezing point but rather a range over which it freezes.

Water freezes at 32F but a solution like soda pop with dissolved sugar and CO2 (carbonation) will start freezing at 32F but will not freeze solid until around 0F (the final temperature depends on how much stuff is dissolved).

Your garage is cold enough to do some of the freezing giving you the slush when you open a can from the garage. Your freezer is enough colder to complete the job.

As far as exploding cans, water expands on freezing. Some freezing and expansion can be tolerated because there is a little head space in the can. As more of the liquid freezes, it expands into this space increasing the pressure in the can. The pressure just keeps rising as long as more liquid freezes. In your freezer, enough liquid freezes to create enough pressure to blow the can open. In your garage, some liquid freezes but not enough to pop the can.

As far as bringing the cans inside, it is safe to do so but remember, since they are partially frozen they are under higher pressure. Anything that raises that pressure, like shaking the can to generate more gas inside, would be a bad idea. It might generate enough extra pressure to blow it open. Once they warm up even a little bit, you can treat them like any regular can.

Answer 2

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RE:
Soda pop in freezer expolodes, but not in my garage?
Right now it is 5 F outside, well below freezing. We have cases of pop out in the garage, that is not heated nor well insulated, but they seem to not explode. When I open a can, the pop is indeed slushy and begins to overflow, but they have yet to explode.

There have been a few times in my...

Answer 3

Freezing Point Of Soda

Answer 4

Because the freezer is harder to clean up. Also, your garage may be insulating it enough that it isn't totally freezing, although doubtful when it's 5 F outside.

Answer 5

Put a thermometer in your freezer. My deep freezer in the basement stays at approx 15 degrees below zero.

Answer 6

The freezer is a more concentrated 'cold' area. We used to do the same thing with our can goods and stuff. Its okay to bring in the house, you just have to let them sit there for a couple hours before you open them.

Answer 7

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Drank more then enough pop as a teen...... now maybe once a month if that..... could live without it.

Answer 8

cuz its a freezer! DUH!