If you’ve made it this far, then you’re probably frustrated that your ice is not as beautiful and clear as you want it to be. Folks on the web will have likely told you to use only the purest, triple boiled, mountain water to get the best results. However, when going down this route, the imperfections are still plain to see, and your disappointment immeasurable. So, lets cast aside the dubious guides, forget the charlatans, and take a chilly dive into the science behind crystal clear ice cubes.
The Benefits of Clear Ice
Some may wonder why you should go to the extra effort to make clear ice. However, for the serious cocktail enthusiast it will take those mixed drinks to the next level. Not only will that perfect, unblemished, ice cube make the drink look sexy as hell, but its higher density will also allow it to melt slower, in turn, reducing the dilution of the cocktail, and keeping it cooler for longer.
Directional Freezing
Usually when making ice, it will freeze from all sides first, forcing any impurities into its centre and resulting in hazy ice cubes of varying clarity. In order to form a glass-like structure, directional freezing manipulates the laws of physics to choose a specified route for the freezing to occur, usually from the top down. This will then force the bubbles and other unsightly water dwelling impurities down into the as yet unfrozen area, and leave the designated icy section a glorious crystalline marvel.
The Best Clear Ice Products on the Market
For those looking for a quick solution, numerous products exist to make clear ice cubes and ice balls. These generally involve a silicone mold sat in a plastic container set in a polystyrene outer shell. The current best products on the market include:
Best Overall Clear Ice Cube Maker
True Cubes Crystal Clear Ice Cube Maker
The best option overall, the True Cubes contraption makes a decent 4 cubes at a time and features a sturdy build quality. It comes in at a fairly expensive $45, but for than money you get a great piece of kit that will stand the rigours of time.
Pros:
- Great build quality
- Makes a decent amount of ice
Cons:
- A little on the expensive side
Pick up the True Cubes device on Amazon here
Best Compact Clear Ice Cube Maker
If space is a deciding factor, and you only really have yourself to cater for, then give the DOPMEP Clear Ice Ball Maker a whirl. This handy rock-forger only makes a single Ice Ball at a time, but you can keep that for yourself and give everyone else boring old run of the mill cloudy ice. Furthermore, it only costs a measly $14.99 and for that price you will have a perfect shiny ice sphere that will have your fellow drinkers seething with envy.
Pros:
- Very compact
- Cheap
Cons:
- Only makes one ball at a time
Find the DOPMEP Clear Ice Ball Maker on Amazon here
Best High Capacity Clear Ice Maker
If you drink as many cocktails a I do, then you’ll probably want to make more than a couple of cubes at a time. For this, the TINANA Clear Ice Cube Tray will help you along the way with its above average 8 cube capacity. At the time of writing, this one comes in at $37.99, but may take up a huge chunk of freezer space.
Pros:
- Makes a decent amount of ice
- Does exactly what it says on the tin
Cons:
- Takes up a lot of freezer space
Buy the TINANA Ice Cube Maker on Amazon Here
Best Budget Clear Ice Cube Maker
Smart & Cool Clear Ice Cube Maker
If you’re sitting on the edge of the clear ice precipice and want to dip your toes in without spending big bucks, then the Smart & Cool Ice Cube Maker is a great choice for you. This relatively compact device will only make 2 cubes at a time, but sometimes that’s all you need. At the time of writing, this reliable offering sits just under the $20 mark, and will have your drinks looking fancy as hell in no time.
Pros:
- Won’t break the bank
- relatively compact
Cons:
- Only makes 2 cubes at a time
Building Your Own Clear Ice Contraption
If forking out big bucks for a bunch of plastic, polystyrene, and rubber seems a bit much, you can have a go at building your own homemade contraption. The simplest version of this involves finding a cool-box small enough to fit in your freezer, ripping the lid off, filling it with water and then freezing it until the top half has frozen. After this, you can dump out the ice and chop it to your desired size with a bread knife, wide wood chisel and a hammer.
If however, you want something a touch more uniform, you can put in a little more effort and build something of my own invention.
Tools and Equipment
- 1 x Hacksaw
- 1 x Drill
- 1 x Marking Pen
- 1 x Cooler Box*
- 1 x Ice Cube Tray*
- 1 x Sheet of Plastic
- Food Grade Glue
*I’ve linked to some examples I’ve found on Amazon, however, if you head out int the big bad world (like I did), you can easily find an off-brand version for much cheaper.
Building the Contraption
To get started, take one cheap and cheerful cooler box and delicately remove the top with a hacksaw.
After this, find a silicone ice cube tray with similar dimensions to the inside of the box, one that can sit inside and leave a small gap around the edges. Then, fire up the drill and make a hole in each section of the ice cube tray. This will ensure contact with the water in the bottom of the box and provide a route for the impurities to travel.
Next, take a nice piece of flat plastic and cut it to the same size at the top of the box. Then cut a rectangle inside that can comfortably sit the ice cube tray, and glue it to the top of the box with some reliable food grade glue.
Finally, fill the cooler box ¾ of the way with clean, filtered water, then push the ice cube tray into place, and top up with more water leaving around 5mm space at the top to counter any expansion.
Place the whole thing in the freezer, leaving as much space as possible on each side. After around 30 hours, remove the box from the freezer and leave it sit at room temperature for around 10 minutes. Then, pull out the ice cube tray, and transfer your beautiful clear ice to a suitable storage receptacle. In addition, I will also bag up the the cloudy ice from the bottom of the container and save it for shaken cocktails like Margaritas and Cosmopolitans or blended drinks like the Mango and Passion Fruit Smoothie.
When preparing that elegant cocktail, just remember that warm liquids will cause the ice to crack, so chill your booze and mixers before venturing forth!
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