Q: What is the best way to make ice?
1321142
I make sure that the 2 halves are together and fill through the hole at the top. I leave about a 1/2 inch free at the top for expansion. I let them freeze for approx. 4-6 hours.
1321143
A: OK, this question sounds a bit obvious, but I have found there is a "best way". - Attach the two pieces of each ice maker together FIRST, before adding water - Use the best quality water available (filtered, boiled, reverse osmosis etc.) - Carefully pour water into the top hole (use a cup) and leave an empty space of about 1 centimeter all around the hole. The empty space needed because ICE EXPANDS. - Chill the ice makers in your freezer for several hours. If you want them SOLID all the way through, allow about 3 to 4 hours. You could also chill for less time if you want to leave a liquid center. I found that boiling the water beforehand and then adding to the ice ball mold makes clearer ice, but that may just be me. Try it out. Just make sure to use good quality water rather than tap water.
237472
I had to find plastic buckets and round containers to make my ice. The small buckets work best but are hard to find and expensive if you buy new. I tried plastic food containers from WalMart but they cracked apart quickly. One trick is to lay a straw or small popsicle stick on the top of the water and the water freezes to a more solid clear ice. Don't ask me to explain but it works. Not for commercial use.
1124188
First make sure the blade is inserted correctly. Then flip the top open, put two or three ice cubes in, shut the top and let 'er rip. If you have trouble with the crescent shaped cubes from an automatic ice maker, you could try breaking them up with a small mallet or hammer. Sometimes that helps.
2091059
You fill your glass with ice, pour the mix over the top then poor that into a blender and blend. I have a personal blender so I just do it all in that.
1728990
Yes it makes very fine ice... The blade can also be moved to shave it even finer...and as crazy as it sounds the type of ice you use makes a difference also the best is the half moon from your ice make... We love love love our machine a friend of mine bought one also and they love theirs also !!! It's Great!!!
535013
just put your frozen item on the tray ... if you wish, warm the tray first with warm water
1727046
J. Joensuu, Yes, you can use regular ice BUT and this is a big BUT remember you will be pressing down on the lid. To get the kind of shaved ice that is typical for snow cones I still think the best bet is to use the molds provided.If you are using ice cubes I would make sure that the ice cubes are all level so that the lid doesn't come down at an angle which could put stress on the blades. Also the ice will probably not be as uniform as ice created with the molds. Hope this helps! -Mark
112420
No. You can use regular ice cubes, or freeze ice in the supplied plastic containers. You put the ice in the machine and press down on the top, and shaved ice comes out the bottom into a bowl or the supplied paper cones.
1027046
We have not tried ice cubes, but doubt it would work the best. It comes with 3 plastic lidded containers that are the perfect size. We freeze and pop them out into a zip lock bag and freeze more so we have more than 3 ready when we want to make them. So ice cubes was never needed. Hope it helps.
1727041
It can use that type of ice, I've used ice cubes from my refrigerator and it worked just as good as with the molded ice. Although, since it's several different pieces the top part will move around a lot so make sure you press down and hold it in place and it won't move much. Other than that little detail, "ice cubes" will work.
485571
We have an ice machine that makes small cubes. I use a small bucket, about 1 gallon I would guess, to fill the machine. It usually lasts about 4 hrs.
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
1150021
Sorry, I've never tried it on ice. I mainly use it to puree soups and sauces.
647046
The best way to melt the ice is to carefully remove as much as possible with a non - metal scraper and let the UV rays of the sun get to the dark surface and melt the ice. Using any other heat source can damage the panel or the glass encapsulation, if any electrical solder joints are damaged the panel can become useless. If there is not enough sun to melt a thin layer of ice, there is most likely not enough sun to make any real power either. Pouring hot water on the panels could crack the glass, cells, frame, etc. but it may be possible to use some water to aid in melting the ice if it is above freezing temp of 32 degrees f. The best way to melt the ice is to carefully remove as much as possible with a non - metal scraper and let the UV rays of the sun get to the dark surface and melt the ice. Using any other heat source can damage the panel or the glass encapsulation, if any electrical solder joints are damaged the panel can become useless. If there is not enough sun to melt a thin layer of ice, there is most likely not enough sun to make any real power either. Pouring hot water on the panels could crack the glass, cells, frame, etc. but it may be possible to use some water to aid in melting... » Read More The best way to melt the ice is to carefully remove as much as possible with a non - metal scraper and let the UV rays of the sun get to the dark surface and melt the ice. Using any other heat source can damage the panel or the glass encapsulation, if any electrical solder joints are damaged the panel can become useless. If there is not enough sun to melt a thin layer of ice, there is most likely not enough sun to make any real power either. Pouring hot water on the panels could crack the glass, cells, frame, etc. but it may be possible to use some water to aid in melting the ice if it is above freezing temp of 32 degrees f. « Show Less
1565219
I used half moon ice from my fridge, it's good but comes out like snow and makes the syrup hard to fall through iceBagged ice worked really well or carton ice, hope this helps :)
394351
I've used this product a couple of times and I've used ice each time with no problems. The ice that I've used are the crescent shaped ones tho. Haven't tried with regular block ice but I think it may be strong enough for that.
219536
Just crush the ice and add whatever liquid you like. We put the ice in a cup and add a bit of juice.