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How to Make Clear Ice
July 18, 2024
-
By
Ava Thompson
Struggling with your ice maker? Wondering why the ice cubes are coming out cloudy instead of crystal clear?
If so, you’re not alone. It’s a common problem that, in most cases, can be fixed easily. You just need to know what to do and what tools to use.
And that’s exactly what we’ll be going over in this post. Keep reading to learn how to make perfectly clear ice cubes!
The Art of Directional Freezing
Directional freezing is a natural phenomenon that occurs when bodies of water, such as lakes, freeze.
As a lake begins to freeze, the top water layer solidifies first, pushing impurities downward, which leads to a clear layer of ice at the top.
The same principle is used to make crystal-clear ice at home. By insulating a water container on all sides except the top, we can mimic the conditions of a freezing lake, creating a controlled, top-down freezing process that expels trapped air and impurities, leading to pure ice crystals.
There are three ways to replicate this process at home – you can use the cooler method, ice tray method, or clear ice maker method.
Ice Tray Innovations: Clear Cube Perfection
Some clever folks have designed ice cube trays that replicate directional freezing, allowing you to make crystal-clear ice directly in your standard freezer.
There are several brands on the market, each offering different capacities and shapes. Some popular brands include:
- True Cubes: yields four clear cubes
- OnTheRocks: has a six-cube capacity with options for additional shapes
- ClearlyFrozen: can make ten clear cubes
- Wintersmith’s Phantom Mini: specializes in three large and three small ice spheres with customizable shape inserts
Advanced Techniques: The Clear Ice Maker
Clear ice makers are another option if convenience is your priority and you’re open to spending a little bit more.
These units typically include a tank paired with a silicone ice-mold tray with holes at the bottom. The freezing process starts at the tray, with impurities being expelled into the tank.
There are several models available, each with its unique features. For example, Ice. Made. Clear uses thicker silicone for durability and offers varied tray sizes for different cube dimensions. It also includes a solid, thermally insulating water tank to regulate freezing.
Preparing Your Water For Ice
Distilled water is the best choice when it comes to making ice. However, there’s an additional step that you can take if you want your ice to be extra clear.
Supplies:
- Distilled water
- Kettle
- Ice cube tray
Step 1:
Pour your distilled water into a kettle and let it boil. That will remove dissolved air from the water, which will enhance the clarity of the ice when it freezes.
Step 2:
Let the boiled distilled water cool, then boil it again.
Once it has cooled down, you can pour the water into an ice cube tray.
To prevent air bubbles, make sure to pour the water gently into an ice cube tray.
How to Use Ice Trays the Right Way
Most ice trays are designed so that they will separate the cloudy parts from the clear ice as it freezes.
Supplies:
- Ice cube tray
- Water
- Dish soap
- Clean towel
- Freezer
Step 1:
Start by washing the ice tray. Even if it’s brand new, it’s a good idea to wash it with some dish soap and water.
Rinse the tray with water afterwards and dry with a clean towel.
Step 2:
Fill the ice tray with regular tap water until it reaches the ‘fill line’. Then, place it in the freezer.
Step 3:
Carefully pop the ice cubes out of the tray using your hands. Depending on the tray, there may also be a bottom tray that you can lift away easily.
Let the ice tray thaw for 10 minutes at room temperature if it’s completely frozen before removing the ice cubes.
How to Make Ice Using a Cooler
Using a cooler is another way to make clear ice at home. The only requirements are a small cooler and a bit of patience.
Supplies:
- Small cooler
- Distilled water
- Freezer
Step 1:
Fill a cooler about 3/4 full with distilled water. Then, place the cooler in the freezer.
Step 2:
Check on the ice after 12-14 hours.
At this point, the top layer should be frozen, and any impurities should be pushed to the bottom, forming a cloudy layer.
Step 3:
Once it’s out of the freezer, let the cooler sit for about five to 30 minutes to ease the block of ice out.
Clarity in Cocktails: Why Clear Ice Melts Slower
Having detailed the ‘how’, we shall now delve into the ‘why’. Why go through all this trouble for clear ice? The answer lies in your favorite cocktail.
Clear ice, courtesy of directional freezing, has a smaller and flatter surface area due to the absence of cavities from air bubbles. This reduces the melting and dilution rate, maintaining the integrity of your cocktail’s flavors over a longer duration.
Clear ice also consists of fewer, larger crystals compared to cloudy ice, which further reduces the surface area in contact with the drink and slows down the melting process.
Meanwhile, smaller crystals will make your ice cloudy. There will also be a larger surface area and thus a faster melting rate.
Freezing Fundamentals: Time and Temperature Control
The optimal temperature for a freezer to make clear ice cubes is just below the freezing point, which is 32°F (0°C). Freezing at this temperature allows the ice to form slowly, enabling oxygen to diffuse out of the water.
The freezing time for clear ice usually falls between one to two days. Within 23 hours, the top part will have started to become ice while the bottom remains mostly liquid.
How to Store Your Ice
If you choose to make your ice without an ice cube tray, you’ll want to cut it into cubes before storing them away.
Supplies:
- Serrated knife
- Ice pick (optional)
- Cookie sheet (optional)
- Vodka
- Parchment-lined tray
Step 1:
Use a serrated knife to make straight cuts around the block of ice.
You can also refine the shape of the ice by using an ice pick or tapping lightly with a cleaver on a cookie sheet.
Step 2:
After cutting, spray the ice cubes with vodka and refreeze them on a parchment-lined tray to prevent sticking.
How to Prevent Cloudy Ice
Cloudy ice is often due to water freezing too rapidly; this leads to the formation of small ice crystals that trap gases and impurities. Fortunately, you can prevent this with a few steps.
Supplies:
- Distilled or filtered water
Step 1:
Use distilled or filtered water for your ice. Avoid using tap water as it often contains impurities that can lead to cloudy ice.
Step 2:
Adjust your freezer settings. Remember, you want the water to freeze gradually; that will encourage the formation of fewer and larger ice crystals, which will result in clearer ice.
Cleaning Your Ice Machine
For those who use an ice maker, it’s important to clean it regularly. That will prevent contaminants from getting into your ice.
Step 1: Turn Off the Machine
Turn off the ice maker and make sure the inside of the machine is empty.
Step 2: Drain the Water
Drain the water pan. Alternatively, you can let the ice melt off the evaporator grid.
Step 3: Add ACTIVE Ice Machine Cleaner
Add 2-4 oz. of ACTIVE Ice Machine Cleaner directly to the water pan, then run two cleaning cycles.
Step 4: Wipe the Interior
Using a damp cloth, wipe the interior of the machine to remove any leftover debris and water.
Supply:
- ACTIVE Ice Machine Cleaner
ACTIVE Ice Machine Cleaner
Deep cleans inside your ice machine to help ensure the cleanest ice production possible.
Beyond the Bar: Other Uses for Clear Ice
Clear ice is for more than just cocktails. For example, clear ice can be used to add a sophisticated touch to culinary presentations, as its transparency can complement arrangements through visual appeal.
You can also use them to keep your drink cold. For instance, ice cubes can be used to cool down coffee without watering it down, preserving the coffee’s strong, rich flavor.
Knowing How Make Clear Ice
We’ve gone over several key points on this page, from the science behind clear ice to the tools and techniques for making it at home.
Remember, clear ice is not just a luxury reserved for high-end bars and restaurants, it can also be used to enhance the flavor of your beverages or to elevate your culinary presentations. So, why not give it a try and experience the clarity for yourself?
Key Takeaways
- Making clear ice at home involves a technique called directional freezing and can be done using methods like the cooler method, specialized ice cube trays, or clear ice machines
- Clear ice melts slower than cloudy ice due to fewer air cavities and larger crystal size
Making Crystal Clear Ice – FAQs
Does boiling tap water make clear ice?
No, boiling water does not make clear ice spheres.
How do you purify water to make crystal-clear cubes?
We recommend boiling and re-boiling your filtered tap water to remove air bubbles.
Why does a clear ice cube melt slower than a cloudy ice cube?
Clear ice melts slower than cloudy ice because it has a smaller and flatter surface area, which reduces the melting and dilution rate of your drinks, keeping them intact for a longer time.
What is the optimal temperature for a freezer to make clear ice cubes?
Keep your freezer temperature just below the freezing point, at 32°F (0°C), to make clear ice cubes.
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Ava Thompson
Ava Thompson is a cleaning specialist and home organization guru. Her profound knowledge, honed through years of experience, is thoughtfully shared in her thorough walkthroughs here on our blog. Ava’s pragmatic tips and innovative strategies empower individuals to transform their living spaces into models of cleanliness and order. She’s a go-to source for those seeking to enhance their home environment efficiently and effectively. She has become a key contributor on the ACTIVE blog.
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