Without the ice cube mold, the idea of being able to cool your drink on a hot summer day can seem like a mirage. But don't worry: there are many ways to make ice even without the ice mold. For example, you can use a silicone cake pan, plastic bag, or egg container. Provided you have access to a freezer, these simple everyday items will allow you to make lots of little popsicles that will work just like regular ice cubes.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using a Silicone Cake Mold
Step 1. Choose a mold that can hold water easily without it tipping over
If you have a silicone cake pan that is stiff and deep enough to hold water as you move it, it will work just as well as a regular ice pan. The best molds are those in the shape of a geometric figure, such as spheres and squares, but you can also try to use those with the most imaginative shapes.
The silicone molds for desserts are designed to prepare candies and biscuits with fun and particular shapes. In this case, each ice "cube" will take the shape of the mold
Step 2. Fill the mold with water
Fill in one space at a time, without letting the water run between the grooves or accumulate on the edges, otherwise a layer of ice will also form on top of the "cubes". Try to support the mold with your hands to prevent it from deforming and letting the water out.
Avoid filling the mold to the brim to avoid the risk of a layer of ice forming on top of the "cubes"
Step 3. Freeze the mold filled with water for at least 4-8 hours
In order for the mold to freeze completely, it must remain in the freezer for at least 4 hours. If you want to make sure the popsicles don't break and melt too quickly, leave the mold in the freezer for at least 8 hours. It's best to put it in the freezer before going to sleep, so your ice cubes are ready to use the next day.
Step 4. Take the popsicles out of the mold by twisting it gently, as is done with the traditional ice cube mold
Silicone is a soft material, so you should be able to flex it slightly so that the popsicles can be pulled out easily. You can also try tapping it from the bottom to pop the popsicles out after you peel them off the walls. Try not to use excessive force, otherwise you could damage or break the mold.
Try using the handle of a fork or spoon to pry the popsicles off the sides of the mold if you struggle and take them out
Method 2 of 3: Use a resealable food bag
Step 1. Fill the bag about 1/4 of its capacity with water
Run cold water into the bag until it feels 1/4 full. You can use a bag of various sizes, depending on how much ice you want to make. The important thing is not to fill it more than 1/4 of its total capacity. The water must never reach the edge
The ideal is to use a thick plastic bag designed for storing food in the freezer, but for lack of anything else you can also use a thinner one
Step 2. Zip seal the bag to keep the water out
After filling it 1/4 of its capacity, seal it by sliding the zip or pressing one edge firmly against the other, depending on the type of closure. Before putting it in the freezer, make sure it is perfectly sealed so that not a single drop of water can escape.
Leave some air inside the bag to make it easier to extract the ice after crushing it. The bag does not need to be inflated, just a little air remains above the water level
Step 3. Lay the bag on its side inside the freezer
The water must freeze horizontally inside the bag to create a layer of ice that is easy to break or shatter. Place the bag on a perfectly flat surface inside the freezer by placing it on its side.
- Place the bag at the bottom of a drawer or directly on the bottom of the freezer, avoiding wire shelves, so that an evenly thick layer of ice forms.
- If you are concerned about water leaking out of the bag, you can put it in a baking tray or inside another bag.
Step 4. Let the water freeze for 4-12 hours, depending on the amount
If the bag is small, 4 hours should be enough, while if you used a large bag it will take 8 to 12 hours for the water to completely freeze. Be patient, otherwise you risk the ice melting quickly after breaking it. The greater the amount of water in the bag, the longer it will take for it to freeze.
The water must freeze in a single block and not in single separate cubes: it is for this reason that it will take longer, especially if the water is a lot
Step 5. Break the ice when ready
You can break it with your hands to make small cube-like fragments or you can easily crush it using a rolling pin. If you have filled the bag more than 1/4 of its capacity, you will probably not be able to break the layer of ice with your hands and will necessarily have to use a rolling pin.
Break the ice before taking it out of the bag to prevent smaller pieces from scattering on the counter
Method 3 of 3: Use an Egg Container
Step 1. Use a Styrofoam egg container so it is waterproof
If you have a Styrofoam egg container at home, you can make it a perfect replacement for the ice cube mold. Polystyrene is almost totally waterproof so it is perfect for freezing water, unlike cardboard.
Wash the container thoroughly before using it to make ice as it may contain bacteria, such as salmonella, which can cause serious gastrointestinal infections
Step 2. If you want to use a cardboard egg container, line it with aluminum foil
Even if the only container you have available is the one for the cardboard eggs, you don't have to give up making ice cubes, but it is a must to cover it with aluminum foil. Tear the paper to obtain square-shaped sheets to be pressed into the cavities. As long as the tinfoil does not break as you coat the mold, a waterproof barrier will be created between the water and the cardboard.
- Make sure there are no gaps for water to penetrate by using square-shaped pieces of aluminum foil. Press them firmly into the center of the cavities to create a liquid-proof coating.
- Let the foil go past the edges of the cavities so you can easily pull it up when it's time to take the popsicles out of the mold.
Step 3. Fill the mold cavities with water
Regardless of the type of mold, made of polystyrene or cardboard covered with aluminum foil, do not fill the cavities to the brim. Stop just before the edge to prevent the water from spilling as you transfer the mold to the freezer. In a few hours you will get lots of small dome-shaped icicles.
If you are using a cardboard mold, be especially careful not to overfill it as it may break when wet
Step 4. Place the uncovered container in the freezer for at least 4-8 hours
As you transfer it to the freezer, make sure the lid does not cover the cavities, otherwise the water will freeze more slowly. It will take at least 4 hours for the ice to form and at least 8 hours, or a whole night, to make sure it doesn't break or melt easily.
You can detach the lid from the container before filling it with water
Step 5. Remove the pieces of ice from the carton by pushing them from bottom to top
With a gentle push on the bottom you should be able to easily pull the popsicles out of the cavities. If you used a cardboard mold, it may be sufficient to lift the tinfoil, depending on the amount of condensation that has formed between the cardboard and the aluminum.
