Hot Water Vs. Cold Water Freezing in Ice Cube Trays
Hot, cold or lukewarm? You may have asked this question before turning on the faucet to fill an ice cube tray. The answer depends on how quickly you want ice and the desired appearance of your frozen cubes. Does this Spark an idea?
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Use Hot Water for a Faster Freeze
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It defies logic, but scientific experiments show that hot water freezes faster than cold under certain circumstances. Scientists claim this phenomenon occurs because hot water evaporates more quickly, leaving less mass to freeze. Others say that heating the water dissolves impurities that impede freezing, making it easier for the water to freeze more quickly. Still others say that air circulation around the trays will cool the water more quickly.
Use Cold Water to Make Clear Ice
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To duplicate the clear ice found at many restaurants and bars, start with cold water. Ice gets its cloudy appearance from dissolved gases. Boil the water for five minutes to remove gas. Allow it to cool to room temperature before pouring into ice tray.
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Use Distilled Cold Water to Make Even Clearer Ice
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Minerals in water create cloudy ice. Boiling distilled water and then allowing it to cool before freezing will produce clearer ice.
Use Cold Water to Make Longer-Lasting Cubes
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Thicker, denser ice melts more slowly. Boil the water to remove air bubbles and make the ice more dense. Cool water to room temperature and then pour it into muffin cups to make larger cubes, which also melt more slowly than smaller ones.
Best Flavor
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The initial water temperature does not affect an ice cube's flavor. Fish and other odorous foods in the freezer will change the taste. Clean ice cube trays regularly. Covered trays also prevent freezer odors from permeating ice.
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