Why can t I get clear ice cubes

A.� Because the tap water you use contains dissolved air, which is forced out of solution, forming gas bubbles when frozen, creating cloudy ice cubes.

�

Q.� Why are the edges often clear and the inside of cubes cloudy

A.� Because the air around the edges of ice cubes trays freezes first, forming pure clear ice because the remaining as yet unfrozen liquid can still absorb the air while the newly formed ice cannot hold dissolved air as easily.

�

Q.� Why are ice cubes in advertisements clear

A.� Because they're not ice cubes! For the sake of aesthetics they're probably made out of Perspex.

�

Q.� Other than faking my ice cubes is there anyway I can get clear ones

A.� Only by investing in a commercial ice machine, which works along the same lines as when the edges of ordinary ice cubes are clear: they freeze a small amount of available water while allowing a larger body of water, containing the air in solution, to escape.

�

Do you have a question about a liquid, solid or gas Click here to ask.

�

by Lisa Cardy