YumSugar

Burning Question: Why Are Ice Cubes Cloudy in the Center?

YumSugar — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:00:09 -0700

When I pulled out the ice tray to make a whiskey lemonade over the weekend, I couldn't help but notice that the ice had a cloudy white spot in the middle of it. This prompted me to ask: why is it that some ice I buy at the store is crystal-clear, but the frozen cubes at home in my freezer appear murky and white in the center?

Ice cubes develop cloudiness when water is frozen quickly. As ice begins developing on the surface of water, certain gases can no longer remain dissolved and begin to surface as microscopic bubbles. An already-developed outer layer of ice traps all the bubbles inside the frozen cube. Another reason for the white color may be traces of calcium carbonate or impurities, which are small and flaky in appearance but are completely harmless.

Ice makers are able to achieve a clear, see-through effect by distilling water, then freezing it in stages, and by using a mechanism that allows bubbles to be washed away as ice cubes develop.

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Come Party With Me: Halloween Dinner - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:30:50 -0700

Although there is no meat in the Halloween dinner menu, the meal is quite rich, so select a cocktail that is clean, crisp, and refreshing. The classic highball is perfect because guests can choose between gin or vodka. Eyeball ice cubes are a creative and festive way to make the drink more Halloweeny. If you don't like a highball, consider using the ice cubes in another concoction. When guests sit down to dinner pour a Halloween-themed wine. As always, be sure to have plenty of water, beer, and nonalcoholic alternatives on hand. To learn how to make the eyeball highball, read more.

Eyeball Highball
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

14 medium radishes
7 pimiento-stuffed olives, halved crosswise
16 ounces gin or vodka
1 ounce vermouth

Directions

Trim stem and root ends of radish. Use a paring knife to scrape red skin from radish, leaving just enough to give a veiny appearance. With a small melon baller, cut a hole in radish, about 1/2 inch in diameter.
Fit an olive half, cut-side facing out, into hole. Place radish in ice-cube tray. Repeat with remaining radishes. Fill tray with water; freeze.
Mix vodka or gin with vermouth; stir with ice. Divide eyeball ice cubes among four glasses. Strain martini; pour into glasses, and serve.

Makes 4 drinks.

Print recipe with images | without images

Frozen Smiles Ice Cube: Love It or Hate It?

YumSugar — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 04:00:18 -0700

While I was browsing online the other day, I came across this Frozen Smiles ice cube tray, which molds ice into dentures. It had me in stitches, and I think it would be a hilarious prank to pull on a friend. Do you agree, or does this ice cube tray gross you out?

Off to Market Recap: Ice Cube Trays

partysugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 05:30:58 -0700

The Summer is heating up and there is no better way to cool down than with a refreshing, cold drink. Although my fridge is a newer model, it doesn't have a built in ice maker: I have to use ice cube trays to make ice. Currently I have only two trays which is problematic for entertaining, so I asked you to help me expand my collection of ice cube trays. You looked for all types of ice cube trays in fun colors and shapes. You saved your finds in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Ice Cube Trays.

How cool are these synthetic rubber ice cube trays by Ikea? MsMO likes the long tray because she uses the skinny cubes in water bottles. However, I love her recommendation for the Fourth of July: she thinks the stars cubes would be fun in cocktails! Browse more trays below.

Interested in bookmarking? Read geeksugar's explanation of this feature to learn how to participate.

Off to Market: Ice Cube Trays

partysugar — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 05:30:57 -0700

The Summer is heating up and there is no better way to cool down than with a refreshing, cold drink. Although my fridge is a newer model, it doesn't have a built in icemaker. To make ice, I use ice cube trays. Currently I only have two trays, which is problematic for entertaining.

Can you help me expand my collection of ice cube trays? Look for all types of ice cube trays in fun colors and shapes. Save your finds in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Ice Cube Trays. I appreciate your help!

Interested in bookmarking? Read geeksugar's explanation of this feature to learn how to participate.

Find out where I like to shop online for food and entertaining accessories when you read more

Bed Bath & Beyond
CB2
Cooking.com
Crate & Barrel
Ikea
Linens and Things
NapaStyle
Pier 1
Plum Party
Pottery Barn
Sur La Table
Target
Restoration Hardware
Williams Sonoma
Wishing Fish
World Market

Keep Your Cool With These Icy Finds

YumSugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 01:00:24 -0700

Lately, every kitchen catalog I receive insists on reminding me that Summer is just around the corner. One of the trends that's catching my eye is the use of ice. It seems that nothing cools down Summer like a few ice cubes. In fact there are so many icy items, I was able to compile a list for your browsing enjoyment. There were trays of appetizers on ice, salads on ice, and even martini glasses nestled in ice ($29.95). To discover all of my cool-as-ice finds, just scroll through below.

Condiments On Ice - $24.99	Salad on Ice - $19.99
Appetizers On Ice - $29.99	Wine Enthusiast Set of 2 Martini Chillers - $29.95
Caviar Server - $29.95	Waring Ice Maker - $399.95
Cool Shooters Ice Tray - $7.95	Star Ice Pop Molds - $14.95
Hamilton Beach® Icy Treats Maker - $24.99	Slush-Ease Home Slushee Maker - $49.99
Cool Jewels Ice Cube Tray - $7.00	Yamazaki "Signature" Double Wall Ice Bucket - $55.00
Entertain with Style 8 Piece Vodka Set - $29.99	Italian Kufra Pitcher with Ice Container - $9.95
DuraClear® Icing Pitcher - $45.00	Magppie - tor ice bucket by karim rashid for magppie - $181.00
Stainless Steel Insulated Oval Wine/Ice Bucket - $79.99	Party Ice Luge - $19.99
Insulated Ice Buckets - $19.99	Ice Kabobs - $8.00
OXO Steel Ice Bucket with Tongs - $49.95	Jumbo Acrylic Ice Bucket - $19.99
Kim Seybert Ice Scoop- Black - $35.00	Kim Seybert Croco Ice Bucket & Tongs - $150.00

Yummy Link: Chocolate Legos

YumSugar — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 04:18:15 -0700

If you've got one of those fancy Lego ice cube trays, you can use them to make your own chocolate legos. - Chocablog

Keep Your Cool - Fun Ice Cube Trays

YumSugar — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 12:01:39 -0700

Some of you might use filtered water, flavored water or even coffee, but do you ever think about the shape of your ice cubes? Why stick with boring squares when you can get cats, dogs, bunnies, stars, apples, jewels, and more. These cat and dog ice cube trays are $6.99 a piece or $12.99 for both. They'd make cute cubes for your summer punch, or alternatively, use the molds to make your own chocolates! They're guaranteed to be purr-fect! To check out some other great ice cube trays, scroll through the list below.

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Tetris Ice Cubes: Love It Or Hate It?

partysugar — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 03:58:39 -0700

I've never been much of a gamer, but I do remember wasting away a few hours playing Tetris on my sister's original Nintendo gameboy. When geeksugar forwarded me these Tetris themed ice cubes I was instantly brought back to my childhood. At first I thought, "Fun!" but then I started thinking about it: Do I really want tetris shaped ice cubes floating around in my iced teas? Maybe not. Still these may be perfect for your geeky chic friend. What do you think? Tetris ice cubes: Love it or hate it?

Source

Simple Tip: No More Watery Iced Coffee

YumSugar — Wed, 30 May 2007 14:54:31 -0700

With summer on its way I thought I'd share with you one of my most simple tips. If you love a glass of iced coffee, but hate when it gets all watery, then do yourself a favor and make coffee ice cubes. By making coffee ice cubes you'll ensure your iced coffee won't get diluted and you'll have a good use for this morning's leftover coffee. Just use a clean ice tray, fill with coffee and freeze. Once frozen, remove cubes from the ice trays and put into a large ziploc style freezerbag (this helps protect it from that nasty freezer smell/taste). Use them instead of regular ice cubes and ta da! No more watery iced coffee for you!