Wrapping bottles with towels before putting them in the freezer is a common technique used for rapid chilling of beverages. The primary purpose of wrapping bottles with towels is to facilitate faster cooling and prevent them from cracking or shattering due to thermal shock.
Here's why this method is used:
Faster cooling: When you place bottles in the freezer without wrapping them, the heat exchange between the relatively warm bottles and the cold freezer air is slower. Wrapping the bottles with towels creates additional insulation around the bottles, which helps to trap the cold air closer to the bottles' surfaces. This speeds up the cooling process, allowing the beverages to reach a lower temperature more quickly.
Preventing thermal shock: Glass bottles are more susceptible to thermal shock, which can cause them to crack or shatter when exposed to extreme temperature changes. When you wrap the bottles with towels, it provides an extra layer of protection against sudden temperature changes. The towels act as a buffer, allowing the bottles to cool down more gradually, reducing the risk of breakage.
Absorbing condensation: When you remove the cold bottles from the freezer and place them in a warmer environment, they may develop condensation on the surface. Wrapping the bottles with towels can help absorb this condensation and prevent it from creating a mess when you handle the bottles.
It's important to note that while wrapping bottles with towels can speed up the cooling process and provide some protection against thermal shock, it's still essential to handle glass bottles with care, especially when dealing with extreme temperature changes. Gradual cooling and warming are always better for glass containers to avoid potential breakage.
If you're in a hurry to chill beverages, you can also consider using other methods like placing the bottles in a container with ice and water or using a specialized beverage chiller that cools drinks rapidly without the risk of breaking glass bottles.