I’ve been an ice geek for 10 years, ever since we got 2 freezers. First with a lunch cooler, used to fill it, then melt off the cloudy part with hot water, then whack the clear ice with a rolling pin to break it into wee icebergs. The cooler cracked and I got a more intentional setup, now it’s big cubes of clear ice, and big globes. I don’t think it tastes better, it looks better and the size does matter. I shake drinks with regular ice, but almost always serve them on big clear ice. Love it.
We use the small ones which are great for water bottles.
I’ve never made clear ice before, mostly because I didn’t want to devote the space to it. Just moved into a new place and it already has a standup freezer in the basement. I’m planning on trying out making clear ice sometime this summer after I finish unpacking.
What I’d really like are some tools for making something like pebble ice without an expensive contraption.
Yeah if I ever get a dream kitchen reno I’m putting in an ice maker, one that makes that glorious “good ice”, not clear but that pebble ice texture almost crushed but not quite. We had one at my office and the kids used to beg me to bring home the Good Ice. I’m getting the expensive contraption. Eventually.
I had a clear ice phase and it’s kinda nice. Too lazy to do it nowadays. I didn’t want to pay for any overpriced kits so made my own. Made a somewhat big ice block in a box and chopped in to pieces. Chopping them up was always really satisfying. Bubbles were concentrated at the top, but to bottom half turned out nice, and I use the less perfect pieces for other things.