I've seen pictures of clear ice but the ice balls I make always turn out white. Is it possible to make them clear or is that some Photoshop trick?
1643773
The best way I've found is to use really good quality water. Don't use it from the tap because there are lots of minerals in there. What I'd try is using filtered water and then BOIL it once or twice. Then pour it into the ice ball mold. It's OK to pour hot water in these molds so don't worry - you can even bake in the oven with these silicone ice ball makers (silicone is basically just sand and water no chemicals.) So pour in the hot water and then cool it in the freezer. I think you need to experiment a bit because it depends on so many things, the water, how quickly it cools, where you put it in the freezer, all that stuff. If anyone's found other tricks I'd love to hear them too. The best way I've found is to use really good quality water. Don't use it from the tap because there are lots of minerals in there. What I'd try is using filtered water and then BOIL it once or twice. Then pour it into the ice ball mold. It's OK to pour hot water in these molds so don't worry - you can even bake in the oven with these silicone ice ball makers (silicone is basically just sand and water no chemicals.) So pour in the hot water and then cool it in the freezer. I think you need to experiment a bit because it depends on so many things, the water, how quickly it cools, where you... » Read More The best way I've found is to use really good quality water. Don't use it from the tap because there are lots of minerals in there. What I'd try is using filtered water and then BOIL it once or twice. Then pour it into the ice ball mold. It's OK to pour hot water in these molds so don't worry - you can even bake in the oven with these silicone ice ball makers (silicone is basically just sand and water no chemicals.) So pour in the hot water and then cool it in the freezer. I think you need to experiment a bit because it depends on so many things, the water, how quickly it cools, where you put it in the freezer, all that stuff. If anyone's found other tricks I'd love to hear them too. « Show Less
1643774
I have not done this yet, but plan on it. Apparently having clear water, boiling it, etc. does not matter that much in the big picture. Controlling the freezing from the top down...where water essentially pushes the "not-clear-parts" downward...is the most crucial part. So if you fill a pot of water, submerge this style of mold then turn it upside down, and pull it out of the water with the opening still in contact with the bigger body of water, and finally use a wire to keep it in that position while freezing...you should get a clear sphere. If you need a visual of this, search "alcademics" where I saw this and you can get a step by step.
1643775
I have not done this yet, but plan on it. Apparently having clear water, boiling it, etc. does not matter that much in the big picture. Controlling the freezing from the top down...where water essentially pushes the "not-clear-parts" downward...is the most crucial part. So if you fill a pot of water, submerge this style of mold then turn it upside down, and pull it out of the water with the opening still in contact with the bigger body of water, and finally use a wire to keep it in that position while freezing...you should get a clear sphere. If you need a visual of this, search "alcademics" where I saw this and you can get a step by step. I have not done this yet, but plan on it. Apparently having clear water, boiling it, etc. does not matter that much in the big picture. Controlling the freezing from the top down...where water essentially pushes the "not-clear-parts" downward...is the most crucial part. So if you fill a pot of water, submerge this style of mold then turn it upside down, and pull it out of the water with the opening still in contact with the bigger body of water, and finally use a wire to keep it in that position while freezing...you should get a clear sphere. If you need a visual of this, search... » Read More I have not done this yet, but plan on it. Apparently having clear water, boiling it, etc. does not matter that much in the big picture. Controlling the freezing from the top down...where water essentially pushes the "not-clear-parts" downward...is the most crucial part. So if you fill a pot of water, submerge this style of mold then turn it upside down, and pull it out of the water with the opening still in contact with the bigger body of water, and finally use a wire to keep it in that position while freezing...you should get a clear sphere. If you need a visual of this, search "alcademics" where I saw this and you can get a step by step. « Show Less
1643776
Mine went from opaque to clear when I installed softener and reverse osmosis filtration system in house.
1643777
You can just buy a gallon of distilled water from the grocery store for 75 cents too. Distilled water has already been boiled (ie distilled), so no impurities, air, etc.
1643778
I heard the best way to do it is to use a little battery operated massager to vibrate the water so it does not freeze the air in. They did that on mythbusters, I got a cheap battery one here for 10.
1643779
Not a photo trick at all, yeah you can definitely make the ice clear. Just takes a little practice because it depends on how pure the water is and how fast it cools. Use the best water not tap, then boil it. Play around putting different places in the freezer.
1643780
http://www.alcademics.com/2014/09/make-perfectly-clear-ice-balls-using-insulated-mugs.htmlIt isn't just about the purity of the water, but about the direction it freezes in.
108472
Its more of a frosted white. I wouldn't classify it as clear, more of a 95% opacity white.
2042701
Have not gotten around to using it yet- so I do not know. If you are concerned about the white- Blue Ice by Turtle Wax does not leave any white residue- I have used that.
893829
I have noticed that there is "residual" ice flakes in the seems of these after a use. Therefore, rinse them off with water to melt away the residual, wipe off the excess water. put them together and put water in it. careful not to squeeze too hard which will allow the seems to get filled up with water (causing that line or crack). allow several hours to completely freeze.
92371
John, I've never noticed any white powder. I'm disabled and extremely careful to have filtered water in the ice trays and water bottle. I feel sure I'd have noticed any residue. I would recommend these--I use several all the time.
1895960
Okay, I bought these based on these answers. And they do show white. Maybe you got a different batch than mine. And these are really thin, as thin as the the stuff you buy from the dollar rack at a retail store. I am returning these. I also bought the ones by Green Paxx, because I have their silicone straws that are of great quality, and those show no white. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DLBKM2G/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
835399
I thought they were clear when I bought them, but no. They are actually white with white stick strips.
876996
1 rinse 2 fill bottom half almost full. 3 press top half into bottom half gently. 4 slowly fill spheres through the small holes if needed. 5 pick it up keeping it level and cover small holes with fingers and spill excess water. 6 place on level surface in freezer. 7 when removing frozen ice balls, rinse first to make removal easier.
1183695
Distilled Water helps a lot. Much nicer looking ice. Still some bubbles, but suspended in crystalline water, not hazy water
1084922
I wish! There are no instructions to do this. Only white, as far as I know.
1868558
Don't think it really maters, you are basically WET SANDING the lenses. So freezing is out and it being in direct sun or really hot where it would dry out to quickly would be a problem. The Clear Coat at end is basic painting it on and trying to get even and thick coat, which would be complicated by too cold or hot and dry.
1135043
It is most likely the fact that you don't let the ice balls "thaw" and stabilize for a few minutes at room temperature. This is critical. Otherwise the quick change in temperature will fracture the ice ball. Think of it as putting a cold non pyrex dish into a 500 degree oven. Should do the trick.
781083
Winter Frost is crisper looking...pure white has no depth...I have had my Winter Frost for years and it still looks good and sets a table very nice coupled with different colored napkins (cloth)....have given sets as gifts to the children and grandchildren and they love it...you never get tired of it like you might with patterns or dull finishes.
1981571
It's actually white. I returned mine because I thought they were supposed to clear.
1575762
We freeze our ice in to-go containers, like you would get soup in from Chinese takeout. Using these "blocks" makes the snow cones more like shaved ice. The only down side we have found is ice buildup behind the cutters because it is very fine and can get packed in there.
828160
They are white. Then turn clear when added to water. If it's a colored water it will turn that color
459010
Unfortunately Amazon sent me the wrong product and I never received the clear molds. The company that makes the clear molds, however was VERY customer friendly and helpful. They responded quickly to my emails and even refunded my purchase price before we discovered I had not received their product. I suggest you email them directly with your question. Even if you order them without inquiring, they will contact you by email and make certain you are satisfied. For that reason, I would recommend their product if you can get Amazon to send it to you!