Ice cube trays can be used for more than just freezing water, such as freezing broth or fruit purees. They come in plastic, metal, and silicone, with some having lids and unique shapes. When selecting trays, choose sturdy ones and consider potential uses.
Ice cube trays are incredibly handy to have around, because they can be used for more than just freezing water. There are several styles of ice cube trays on the market, and many kitchen supply stores sell a large assortment for different needs. In addition to freezing ice for drinks, ice cube trays can also be used to freeze items like broth for quick bouillon cubes and fruit purees for perfectly measured frozen smoothies. You could also try freezing things like fresh fruit or herbs inside the ice, so the ice cubes are decorative and flavorful.
There are three basic materials that ice cube trays are commonly made from. Most consumers are familiar with plastic ice cube trays, which are bent to loosen the ice cubes so they fall out. Over time, however, plastic trays have a tendency to crack which can be quite irritating. Metal ice cube trays are also available, typically with a handle that moves a movable section to break up the ice cubes. Finally, many companies make ice cube trays out of silicone, a highly flexible material that can be molded into a variety of shapes.
Some companies also make ice cube trays with lids. The lid is designed to keep freezer odor to a minimum, so your ice cubes won’t get flavored by other things in the freezer. The lids also help prevent water spills, which can be a problem when filling ice cube trays, and usually slide along the tray, so the cook can take out the desired number of ice cubes without worrying. to empty the entire tray.
In addition to the familiar rectangles, ice cube trays can also be molded to produce an assortment of shapes. Squares, triangles, circles and hearts are all quite common, as are novelty shapes like LEGO blocks, shamrocks and animals. Sometimes, shapes are designed for a specific purpose; long narrow ice cubes, for example, can be easily inserted into bottled drinks to keep them cool. These ice sticks can also be used in tall glasses for an unusual presentation of a cold drink.
When selecting ice cube trays, try to find sturdy trays that will stand up to years of use. If you’re looking at silicone ice cube trays, flex the material; if white streaks appear, it is not high quality silicone. You may also want to consider potential uses for ice cubes in your household, and if you plan to freeze flavored foods such as broth and fruit, you may want to get dedicated ice cube trays for this purpose, so your ice doesn’t take on a flavor strange.
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