How to Make a Clear Ice Ball – Method #1

If you want to understand the science behind directional freezing to make clear ice, check this post: Freezing Ice Simple Explanation.

In short, we’ll have to make conditions for water molecules to arrange in order from one side to another. In this case water molecules will drive out impurities and air bubbles.

In this experiment we’ll freeze an ice ball from up to down.

Directional Freezing of an Ice Ball

using a tumbler with insulated walls.

Usually, 16 oz tumbler will be suitable but it has to be tested. You’ll have to use 2.5’ ice ball mold.

The hole in the silicone mold has to be pointed down at an angle. With it straight down, you'll get a clear ice "egg" because the ice aside the mold will squeeze it.

Fill a tumbler to the brim and carefully place the ice ball mold filled with water into it with a finger pressing over the hole until the hole is submersed under the water.

Do this over a sink so that excessive water runs down the drain.

Try to keep as much water in the tumbler as possible. It should be visible around the edge of the mold.

Pop it into a freezer and give enough time to freeze. The slower it will freeze the more clear the ice ball will be.

Run a little tap water on the tumbler and the mold to loosen the ice aside of rubber.

Freezing timing, temperature, angle at which the ice ball mold is placed into the water are variables to get a perfect clear ice.

You may use distilled water for better results but it is not necessary if perfect balance of freezing time and temperature is chosen.

You may replicate this process without a tumbler just with any suitable vessel, having previously insulated its walls and bottom with any foamy material.