Freezing water is a simple task that anyone should be able to do. Even if you know how to make ice, you may not know all the tricks that can speed up the process and make it more efficient. If it's very hot outside and you feel the need to chill your drinks, follow these simple steps to turn water into ice.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Freeze Water Instantly
Step 1. Set the freezer temperature to -24 ° C
It will take several hours for the temperature to drop to -24 ° C if the freezer was set to a different level.
Step 2. Put the water bottle in the refrigerator for exactly 2 hours and 45 minutes
The water should still be liquid, but in fact its temperature should be below freezing. If the bottle is frozen, it means that something has gone wrong. Double check the temperature and try again.
Step 3. Shake the bottle vigorously
The bottle should gradually freeze. Alternatively, you can open it to start the freezing process.
If you put the bottle in the freezer without a cap or if you opened it carefully after removing it from the freezer, you can drop a piece of ice into the water - it will freeze instantly. If you pour water onto an icy surface you can create ice sculptures
Method 2 of 3: Freezing Water More Efficiently
Step 1. Remove impurities from the water
Tap water can contain minerals and other impurities that can hinder the formation of ice crystals. If you want to speed up the freezing process, choose one of the following options to minimize the amount of impurities:
- Bottled water;
- Water that you have boiled;
- Filtered water.
Step 2. Increase the surface area exposed to the cold
The larger the exposed surface in relation to the total amount of water, the faster freezing will occur. For example, water contained in an ice mold will freeze much faster than water contained in a bottle. Similarly, if you poured the water from a bottle into a cookie sheet, it would freeze more quickly. This is simply because the surface in direct contact with cold air is greater in a pan or mold.
Step 3. Cool the ice pan
Leave the ice cube mold in the freezer to be able to freeze the water as quickly as possible when needed.
Step 4. Use a metal ice pan
Metal conducts heat better than plastic. If you use a copper ice cube mold instead of plastic, the water will freeze faster.
Step 5. Boil the water before freezing it
It might seem counterproductive to you, but boiling water actually freezes faster than cold water. This physical phenomenon is called the "Mpemba" effect. Scientists have not yet been able to explain this phenomenon, but according to many, the possible explanation could be linked to the fact that the hot water molecules are held together by bonds similar to those of ice crystals.
Step 6. Increase the freezer power
In most cases, the freezer temperature can be adjusted. However, it can take several hours for the new setting to take effect. However, if the freezer is set to the lowest available temperature, the water will freeze faster.
Do not open the freezer door frequently to check if the ice is ready, otherwise you will let the cold air out and the temperature inside will rise. You can check if the ice is ready every hour
Method 3 of 3: Freezing Water the Elementary Way
Step 1. Fill a container with water
You can use any container, as long as it doesn't leak. You can fill it completely or only partially, depending on your needs.
- Do not use porcelain cups or hard bottles. During the freezing process the water expands, so if you use a porcelain cup or a hard plastic bottle there is a chance it will break. Options to choose from include ice molds, disposable plastic bottles, and metal cups.
- If you boil the water before freezing it, the ice will be clear rather than cloudy.
- You can buy a mold that creates popsicles with particular shapes (such as pumpkins, fish, bones or skulls) to have fun and amaze your guests depending on the occasion.
Step 2. Place the container in the freezer
The temperature should be well below 0 ° C. Make room in the freezer to make sure the container is placed on a perfectly horizontal surface and be careful not to spill the water.
Step 3. Wait 2 to 5 hours
The process of freezing water takes time. The larger the container, the longer the wait will be. For example, water contained in an ice cube mold will freeze faster than water contained in a water bottle.
Step 4. Remove the container from the freezer
After a few hours, the water should have turned into ice with which you can cool your favorite drinks.
Advice
- With this same method you can also make popsicles. Add a few drops of syrup to the water and then stir before placing the mold in the freezer.
- You can try to freeze the water outdoors. Check the weather forecast to find out if the temperature will remain below zero consecutively for several hours. Choose a spot that will not be exposed to the sun during that time frame. If you want, you can speed up the freezing process by covering the container with some snow.
