Abstract The thermodynamics and heat transfer of ice slurries is reviewed. It starts with a collection of models to calculate the effective thermal conductivity. These relations were derived for suspensions with solid particles that do not change its phase. Therefore, they can only be first approximations. Then dimensionless numbers are introduced, once based on the physical properties of the carrier fluid and then also on the macroscopic fictious physical properties of the ice slurries. Both sets of quantities show their specific advantages. With this information the basic definitions of heat transfer are introduced. Then existing measurements and calculations of heat transfer coefficients—respectively of its dimensionless counterpart, the Nusselt number—are discussed in detail.