Leaving a can of soda in the freezer overnight is not recommended, as it can lead to potential safety risks and make quite a mess. Here's why:
Pressure build-up: When liquids freeze, they expand. Soda contains carbon dioxide (CO2) gas that gives it its characteristic fizz. As the liquid freezes, the CO2 gas can't escape, causing the pressure inside the can to build up significantly. This can lead to the can exploding or bursting, making a mess in your freezer and potentially causing injuries.
Can integrity: Freezing and expansion of the liquid can put stress on the can's structure. While modern soda cans are designed to withstand certain levels of pressure, freezing can compromise the integrity of the can and make it more susceptible to rupturing.
Safety hazards: If a can of soda bursts in the freezer, it can create sharp metal and frozen soda shards, making it unsafe to handle and potentially damaging other items in the freezer.
If you accidentally leave a can of soda in the freezer and discover it before it has frozen completely, you can remove it and let it thaw at room temperature. However, if the soda has already frozen, it's best not to attempt to thaw it quickly using external heat sources, as this can increase the risk of explosion.
To avoid these issues altogether, it's better to store soda at room temperature and only chill it in the refrigerator or with ice if you want it colder. If you need to chill a soda quickly, you can place it in the refrigerator or a bucket of ice water for a shorter period, but avoid the freezer for rapid cooling.