Abstract The effect of storage on flow and heat transfer characteristics of ice slurry was investigated experimentally. After ice slurry had been stored in the storage tank, variations in ice particle size were measured using a microscope, and diameter distribution and average diameter determined. The ice packing factor, Reynolds number and storage time were varied as experimental parameters. The pressure drop and heat transfer coefficient were measured when the ice slurry flowed in the horizontal tube. For laminar flow, the ratios of pipe friction and heat transfer coefficient decreased with storage time. For more than 12 h storage time, the ice slurry could not flow in the tube. The adhesion between ice particles seemed to cause a blockage in the tube. On the other hand, for turbulent flow, the pipe friction and ice slurry heat transfer coefficients were similar to that of the ethanol solution, and the storage effect was insignificant.