Making ice using ice trays is the most conventional method used throughout the world as it’s an easy process.
However, if you are unable to locate your ice tray or planning a cookout in your backyard and hosting a large number of friends and family members, simple ice trays won’t do the job for you.
Another scenario can be that your freezer is too small to accommodate ice trays, or you have already put so much stuff inside to fit in any extra tray. In these cases, you’d need the most effective way to make ice cubes so that you won’t miss out on any fun.
Hence, to save your precious time and effort, here we have short-listed the best DIY methods to make ice cubes without using any tray.
Related: Best Nugget Ice Makers
How to Make ice cubes without a tray (Methods)
Here are the methods, including short-term, emergency, and long-term solutions if you opt to replace ice trays entirely.
1. Ziploc Bag
The simplest way to have ice cubes when you don’t have an ice tray is by using Ziploc bags that are likely to lie around the house. You will hardly be spending $15 to get an entire pack of Ziploc bags, and they are pretty reliable as well.
All you need to do is fill your Ziploc bag with cold water (better use distilled water) and place it inside your freezer for multiple hours. When it has completely frozen, bring the ice out from the bag, and now it can be crushed or even turned into ice cubes by using an ice pick.
2. Silicon Mold
Silicon molds are used not only for making ice cubes but also for various other things such as making candy, baking cakes or loaves of bread, and even stiffening soaps. Their versatility makes them a perfect addition to the kitchen for every home for optimum convenience.
You’d need to fill your silicon mold just like a regular ice tray and keep it frozen for several hours. However, for maximum results, keep it inside the freezer overnight, resulting in slow-melting ice.
3. Egg Carton
Using an egg carton to freeze ice isn’t a long-term solution at all but merely an emergency alternative. When you have no other option available, and guests are in your lounge, these sure will come in handy.
You’d need to take an aluminum foil and place it over the bottom of the egg carton so that water won’t drip out of the carton.
4. Freezer Bags
If you opt for perfectly shaped ice, you should consider buying freezer bags readily available over Amazon. They are incredibly easy to use as you’d only need to fill it with water, close it, and allow it to freeze for some hours.
The main benefit of these bags is that any odor coming from the foods won’t affect the ice and result in high-quality ice.
5. Built-in Freezer Ice Maker
If you’re looking for a long-term ice solution, getting a built-in freezer ice maker would be best. These freezers are built-in inside some refrigerator models dedicated to freezing ice cubes and act as an ice dispenser.
The main benefit of these ice makers is that you won’t have to wait for hours for your ice to get perfectly frozen.
6. Portable or Countertop Ice Maker
If you don’t have a huge budget to squander on a long-term ice tray alternative, it would be most considerate to buy a portable or countertop ice maker. They are highly compact units that won’t even require a lot of space in your kitchen.
Make sure you properly defrost and clean your ice maker to get perfect ice every time.
You may also be interested in Best Outdoor Ice Makers
7. Freestanding & under-counter Ice Makers
If budget is not a problem, then you should go for a freestanding and under-counter ice maker. A freestanding one resembles a refrigerator whereas, an under-counter ice maker can be installed beneath the cabinets. Both machines can produce huge amounts of ice compared to portable ice makers, with some models generating 85lbs of ice per day.
Does boiling water make clear ice?
If you boil water before freezing, it may make the ice a bit clearer, but that won’t be that noticeable. Cloudy ice cubes are formed due to nitrogen and oxygen gases present in the water, which result in tiny bubbles and cause a white look.
Is it better to make ice cubes with hot water?
Yes, you can make ice cubes much quicker by using hot water instead of cold water. It’s because hot water can freeze at a much quicker rate than cold water due to the immense amount of energy, and as a result, you get much clearer ice cubes.
What is sonic or nugget ice?
With the latest advancements in Kitchen Appliances, we see different kinds of Ice and Ice makers used in homes and restaurants for various purposes. Once recent such advancement is “nugget” or “sonic” ice; The name “sonic” came from the Sonic Restaurant chain that got famous for its ice that they used to chill drinks.
How do you make high-quality ice?
If you want to have high-quality ice at the ease of your own home, here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Buy a large, insulated cooler that will fit inside your freezer easily.
- Open its cover and fill water about ¾ of the cooler’s volume (it would be best to use distilled water to get much more transparent ice).
- Place your cooler inside the freezer, and don’t put the cover back on.
- Bring out the cooler from the freezer after about 12 to 14 hours and let it melt a bit for at least 5 to 10 minutes.
- Now take the ice, and by using an ice pick, make perfect cubes out of it.
