TravelTalkOnline Forums People Talk Recipes Stand Alone Ice Machines

I really like clear ice, can't figure out why you can't get clear ice without buying a stand alone machine (or getting bags of ice from store). That being said, I got a Franklin Chef model, but it seems to break down about every other month. Anyone have any recommendations on how they get clear ice cubes. Or if you have a stand alone machine, what kind do you have and is it reliable?

Patty H.

It's due to air in the water (a/k/a the di-hydrogen monoxide). <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Take the aerator off the end of your faucet, then fill a teapot or whatever with the water, boil it, let it cool, boil it again, let it cool again, now most of the air should be out of the water.

Carefully pour it into ice cube trays, freeze, and you should have clear ice cubes. A lot of effort for clear ice cubes. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks, Rasputin, I'll give that a try. I never knew you could make your own, and I'll definitely give your method a try. Wish I would have kept my mom's ice cube containers, but just ordered some with covers on them from Amazon.com, hoping the covers will help keep the air out. And who knew, you have to take the aerator off the faucet???

If you buy distilled water, that may be air-free enough for clear ice cubes.
I've never tried it.

ya, but have you ever tried drinking distilled water?
No minerals at all (or at least close to none), so it has no taste at all...
Kind of <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sick.gif" alt="" />...
IMO the only place for it is in the Chem. Lab. or in a humidifier (to keep down the mineral deposits)...

We have an older Scotsman that has a charcoal filter. Works well, the cubes a pretty clear. Not as clear as totally deaerated water like Rasputin descibes, but meets our needs. BTW, we have pretty good city water here so that may well make a difference.