Ice cubes

[originalang]

Aplogies if this in the wrong topic. I buy bags of ice cubes from the supermarket, they're nice and loose when I get them home. After a few hours they're in one solid block and we have to chip each cube away as we need them, so annoying. Does it mean my freezer temperature is too low, cant say I've noticed a problem with food? Thanks so much for your help

[Teddio]

When you get the ice cubes home they are likely to be wet on the outside and, consequently, loose. When you put them in the fridge they will freeze together and form a solid block. Your freezer temperature is probably ok.

[originalang]

Thanks Teddio, that makes sense to me, only thing I don't understand is they are loose whilst in the supermarket freezer

[dzug]

That's coz they are made as cubes and haven't defrosted. When you take them home they will defrost a little on the outside and stick together when refrozen.

You might notice something similar with frozen peas and maybe other veg.

[maxximus]

drop the bag from about chest height on the floor, pick it up turn it over and do it again. they'll be nice and loose again, take what you need and put them back in the freezer.

[keithlbw]

maxximus is right give them a bit of a bash and you will find they all seperate ---- I bet if you look on the bag it will tell you to do this.

[mibn2cweus]

. . . it might also help to drain any excess melted water before refreezing.

[Paulst30]

Its because supermarket freezers are set at a constant temperature daily, and very rarely go below -18.

Your home freezer is set to -24 and makes things harder when frozen, thats why when you buy Magnum ice lollies the ice cream is just right straight from the supermarket freezer, but if left in a home freezer over night the ice cream is a lot harder.

It does, yes, have a lot to do with the ice cubes melting a little as well. Take a cool bag to the shops with you and stick your freezer stuff in that. Works wonders.

[originalang]

Thanks folks for all your advice, it was just one of those little things that niggle!

[funnygirl]

It is annoying when you have got one solid block.
I have to take a mallet to mine to crush them up.

[originalang]

Yep funnygirl, the mallet has to do the job for me too!