Before making ice, you need to thoroughly study this process and its nuances. It’s not enough to just pour water into special forms and put them in the freezer. To make a transparent and beautiful product that will decorate cocktails, you will have to work hard. And yet, contrary to popular belief, you do not need to use any special refrigerators for this.
Everything can be done with your own hands with minimal financial and energy costs. The main thing is not to be afraid to experiment and not to stop if your first attempts fail.
Secrets of clear ice for drinks
Those who want to learn how to make real ice for drinks with their own hands, and not just cloudy pieces of frozen water, should adopt the following approaches:
- Use of pre-treated water. Pour the liquid into an enamel or steel bowl, bring to a boil and let it simmer for a few minutes. After this, cover with a lid and leave to cool naturally. We repeat the manipulation and cool the composition again. Then we fill the ice molds and freeze the pieces. With this approach, the cocktail filler becomes transparent due to the removal of air bubbles.
- Slow freezing. You can displace bubbles that make the product cloudy if you freeze the product not quickly, but very slowly. The final version will not only be transparent, but also very smooth. True, the time for preparing ice in this case is at least a day. To carry out manipulations in the freezer, you need to set the temperature no higher and no lower than -1ºС.
- Freezing in salt water. This method also allows you to make clear and beautiful ice without cracks. Ideally, you should use sea salt, but if you don’t have it, you can make the mixture yourself. To do this, fill a deep bowl with water, add fine table salt and stir well (unfortunately, the concentration of the composition will have to be determined experimentally). We place the container in the freezer, the temperature in it should not be lower than -2ºС. As soon as the liquid has cooled down greatly, lower the filled ice trays into it and put them back in the freezer until cubes form. If the liquid in the bowl begins to freeze, this indicates an insufficient amount of salt, and the solution will have to be redone.
Advice: In general, no matter what approach to making ice is used, you need to take drinking or filtered water. Otherwise, the unpleasant smell will only go away temporarily. As soon as the product gets into the drink and begins to melt, the specific aroma returns, which noticeably spoils the taste of the cocktails.
Experienced housewives prefer to prepare ice at home according to the latest instructions. It turns out transparent, smooth, without cracks, and does not crack when adding cocktails and other drinks. The saline solution only needs to be prepared once. It can be poured into a convenient container and kept in the freezer at all times.
Staged freezing
To speed up the process of forming a dense ice cube, it is enough to pour water gradually. First you need to fill the form one quarter, then a third and then to the top. In this case, the entire process will take about half an hour, instead of three to four hours with the usual one-time form filling technology. The same physical principle works: the area of contact with cold air and the frozen base increases, due to which the entire volume is cooled evenly.
This kind of freezing is a convenient option if you need ice constantly. Even if you fail to fill the molds completely, the cubes will still be at least half ready. This is also convenient if you want to make cocktails or lemonades with cold crumbs. Small quantities are easier to put into a blender or shaker and grind.
How to make ice without special ice molds?
The lack of molds is not a problem if you have imagination. You can make them yourself or even use improvised means. The approach option and the specifics of its implementation depend on the type of drink consumed and what is on hand:
- If you plan to serve not cocktails, but simply pour one-ingredient drinks, you should take care of the dishes in advance. To do this, take the selected glasses (preferably thick glass, it will not crack from exposure to cold air), pour about 1 cm of boiled drinking water into them, wipe them thoroughly so that no moisture remains on the surface. Next, carefully place the containers in the freezer (temperature is -1ºC), trying not to spill anything on the walls. The finished ice will not only be beautiful and perform the specified functions, but will also give the spilled drinks an original look.
- It's very easy to make your own ice using plastic or metal lids. For the first ones, it is better to trim them inside in advance so that the thread does not interfere with the extraction of the product. The main secret of the process is to pour the liquid to the maximum and reach the very edge. In this case, it will expand, protrude above the surface and the pieces will be easier to get out. You just need to keep them at room temperature for a few minutes until they melt.
- One of the easiest options for making ice is to use plastic cups. Pour pre-prepared water onto the bottom, determine the thickness yourself, but remember that the mass will still expand. Freeze the product and carefully remove it. You don’t have to settle on round “cubes”; if you insert homemade plastic dividers inside the cup, the shape can be adjusted.
- It’s worth looking around the kitchen and rooms; in most cases, something can be adapted for making ice. These include parts from children's construction sets, candy inserts, and silicone baking molds. Only available products must be thoroughly disinfected before use.
If you are short on time, and you can’t prepare something worthwhile with your own hands, you need to limit yourself to the simplest option. We take plastic bags, cut them into shreds, fill the blanks with a small amount of water and tie them in a knot. We will get small, neat balls that will look very original in a glass.
An effective life hack
Let's look at the easiest way to freeze.
For this we need a plastic refrigerator container. We usually take this thing with us to the beach or on a picnic so that the food does not spoil under the influence of high temperatures. So, pour some water into the bottom. Important recommendation: it must be distilled. The thing is that there are many impurities in tap water. After freezing, all these particles make the ice cloudy. Unforeseen problems: Tesla Cybertruck toy version has been delayed
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Now place the refrigerator container in the freezer for exactly one day. There is no need to overexpose: twenty-four hours will be enough.
Extract the contents. Pour the unfrozen water into the sink. You will end up with a fairly large block of ice.
Don't be afraid if its surface is cloudy or coated. It's very easy to get rid of it. Boil water and dip a knife into it. By the way, it is better to take not an ordinary kitchen knife with which you cut bread, but a large knife for cutting meat.
Dip a knife into boiling water for a couple of seconds and cut off the cloudy edges from the ice block. As a result, you will see pure ice: the kind that is served in bars. True, for now we have a very large block, so we need to chop it into pieces.
Using the same hot knife, cut the block into cubes of the desired size. You can store the ice cubes in an airtight container or bag. That's the whole secret.
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Immutable condition
So what's the deal? Why is it so difficult to get clear ice at home? How to make it clean, like a tear, smooth and shiny? The answer to the question is quite simple: the cubes will then turn out ideal when the conditions are favorable. There are several of them, and now we will tell you about them.
Firstly, the raw material from which you plan to make perfectly clear ice must also be ideal. What does this mean? It's simple: tap water is not good for us. In the substance that utilities supply through pipes, it is quite difficult to determine the composition. Impurities of metals, chemicals and other nasty things during freezing do not allow water molecules to crystallize as they should; they break the initially clear structure of the ice.
Secondly, liquids often contain air; small bubbles prevent frozen water from becoming transparent and smooth. This suggests a conclusion: the water must be clean and free of gases. It can be an ideal raw material, but doctors strongly do not recommend using it in the diet.
How to freeze ice if there are no molds
The situation when you need to get cubes urgently, but there are no containers at home, happens often. Therefore, life hacks about what to use instead of plastic containers are in demand more than ever.
It turns out that you can use various improvised objects. Including disposable tableware.
Plastic cups
Small plastic containers designed for alcoholic beverages are best. They have a small volume of about 50 ml and are an ideal solution for freezing ice.
Plastic is resistant to deformation and temperature changes, easily tolerates the properties of freezing water, adapting to its shape. In addition, the volume is great for making cocktails. If necessary, frozen water can be crushed or split into several parts.
Silicone molds for candies
This option is a great opportunity to add some originality to your cocktail party. Figured ice will become the “highlight” of the drinks. For beauty, mint leaves or raspberries, cherries, and strawberries are added to it.
Frozen water cubes are easily removed from the soft silicone mold without much difficulty. There are different sizes, buy several - for a large group and enough for 1-2 people.
Chocolate box inserts
In a similar way, plastic inserts are used in which sweet treats are placed. They, like disposable cups, can easily withstand low temperatures. The ice cubes are small, often of an original shape.
In this case, it is also recommended to add berries, decorative leaves or even dyes. It all depends on your imagination and the preferences of your guests.
Plastic bags
This option is more often used for preparing desserts with crushed ice or drinks to which a large amount of finely chopped ice is added. The water is frozen volumetrically, and after reaching the desired shape, it is split or crushed with a blender.
The bags do not deform, prevent leakage and cope with temperature changes. The ice is not very elegant and neat, but it more than pays for itself in terms of volume.
Plastic toys
Resourceful citizens came up with the idea of using children's toys. For example, Legos or small containers are great for freezing ice for cocktails and spirits.
Use shaped molds. However, do not forget about hygiene. Before using the toy for cooking, rinse it thoroughly and disinfect it.
Metal lids
Deep lids from bottles and jars are used for freezing. The metal is resistant to deformation and negative temperatures, and holds water well. With enough lids you will get smooth and beautiful ice cubes for cocktails with or without alcohol.
Finding a way out of the situation when there are no molds for freezing ice in the house is simple. Show your imagination and you will have at least five options for freezing water for making desserts and drinks.
Source
Necessary materials
For the experiment, special materials are prepared, sold in a regular store. There will be no problems with the purchase.
List of materials:
- Acetic acid.
- Pan, glass.
- Cotton cloth or paper napkin.
- Glasses or a mask to protect your eyes.
- Household gloves.
- Baking soda.
The list of components varies depending on the selected recipe. Some people make ice using a fire extinguisher, while others use powdered sodium acetate. The set of elements is specified for each option.
Once the materials are purchased, the CO2 manufacturing process begins. It is important to take precautions for a successful procedure.
Frozen herbal infusions
Cosmetic ice is prepared with different herbs; you can make it according to your skin type. Fresh or dried herbs are used in production. Usually, a teaspoon of herb is poured into a glass of boiling water, left for 20-30 minutes after the infusion has cooled, filtered and poured into molds.
Mint, dill, lemon balm, parsley, sage - herbs have a positive effect on dry and normal skin. Ice from this decoction activates metabolic processes in cells, restores and tones the skin, and smoothes out fine wrinkles.
Chamomile, calendula, wort, yarrow, coltsfoot - ice made from these herbs is suitable for oily, problematic skin, heals acne wounds, soothes inflammation, and disinfects.
The most universal are decoctions of sage, linden blossom, mint, St. John's wort, chamomile and are suitable for all skin types. When frozen, it improves complexion, tightens, refreshes and tones the skin. Ice from a decoction of these herbs has antiseptic properties and prevents irritation.
Aloe ice
Use this remedy for irritated skin. First you need to properly prepare aloe juice, then dilute it 1:3 with water and freeze it. These frozen cubes are suitable for problem skin.
Use ice with caution if you have sensitive skin, especially if there are purulent pimples or ulcers on the surface of the tissue.
How to clean silicone baking molds without damaging them?
There are several ways to restore the original and pleasing appearance of silicone molds.
- For the first (the simplest) you will need: a bag of citric acid and water (4 liters). Mix these components, immerse the mold in the solution for 15 - 20 minutes, and then wash it with regular dishwashing detergent and rinse thoroughly with water. This method gets rid of grease and berry stains.
- Using baking soda you can get an excellent effect - completely clean the silicone surface. For this method you will need: water (4 liters), baking soda 3 tbsp. l. and dishwashing gel 3 tbsp. Mix everything, lower the pan, put it on the fire, wait for it to boil. Boil for 5 - 8 minutes. Remove from heat and leave for 20 minutes, and then rinse with clean water.
- It is interesting that when mixing 2 tbsp. l. baking soda and the juice of half a lemon makes an excellent anti-carbon product. When the mixture of these components begins to foam, you need to apply it to problem areas and leave for 15 - 20 minutes. For the best effect, before this manipulation it is necessary to leave the silicone mold for a couple of minutes in warm, almost hot, water.
- Another easy way that you can use in any emergency situation, if you don’t have soda or citric acid on hand, to clean simple stains is to soak in water with a small amount of dishwashing gel.
Important! Under no circumstances should you scrub off grease, carbon deposits and stains using knives and other sharp objects, iron sponges and the rough sides of ordinary washcloths, harsh detergents, in order to avoid damage to silicone utensils.
Celebration on a grand scale
Many readers may be interested in the question of how entertainment venues manage to create large quantities of ice cubes. How to make clear ice so that there is enough for hundreds of visitors and guests? For this purpose, special units are used - ice generators. With their help you can freeze a lot of water; they maintain an optimal temperature inside the chamber, which allows you to make the ice transparent.
But even when working with such a machine, it is important to observe certain conditions. In addition to the fact that the quality of the water must correspond to the specified parameters (the absence of impurities is mandatory), batches of ice must be made simultaneously
That is, adding water to the cells while ready-made cubes remain in the chamber will lead to a poor final result. It is best to use the liquid at room temperature: as practice shows, cooler water freezes unevenly, and the ice turns out cloudy.
Idea 4. Mini ice cream and desserts for children
For some children, eating ice cream in standard doses is not recommended. And in such mini-portions from ice cells you can treat every child with a treat! In addition, what dessert can be decorated with fresh berries, candied fruits, nuts or grated chocolate. Or pour milk over colored ice cream cubes and surprise the children with a bright cocktail)
The children will be delighted!
Mini ice cream
