Why Is My Nugget Ice Maker Making White Ice?
Although nugget ice is always a bit cloudy and white compared to regular ice cubes, there are times when it can seem “a bit too white”. Have you noticed that your countertop icemaker has been a little off lately when it comes to ice production? If so, you came to the right place! Because in this article I’ll show you why your nugget ice maker is making white ice, and more.
So let’s jump in!
Why Your Nugget Ice Maker Produces White Ice
Nugget ice appears more white than usual when the ice contains trapped air bubbles, minerals, and impurities.
If you look at how nugget ice makers work (more info on that here), you’ll see that before the ice is shaven and compressed, the water is being frozen in a metal cylinder. If the ice contains a lot of air bubbles, minerals, and impurities at this stage, the nugget ice will turn out more white than you’re used to.
Some of the most common impurities found in water are minerals like calcium and magnesium, as well as sediment. As these minerals and sediments freeze, gases are released, which in turn creates air bubbles. This is what makes the nugget ice look more white.
Is White Ice Bad?
It isn’t necessarily that white ice is bad, however, clear ice can be seen as superior due to the following reasons:
- Clear ice = purer water
Since white ice contains more minerals and sediments, clear ice therefore clearly indicates a lack of such things, which is generally preferable when it comes to ice.
- Clear ice melts slower
All that trapped oxygen causes white ice to melt faster than clear ice. Considering the fact that nugget ice already contains a lot of oxygen due to the way it is produced (it has a lot of air pockets), having even more air in there would mean it would melt a lot faster.
- Clear Ice Tastes Great
Although definitely subjective, clear ice does taste better in my opinion. Considering it is pure water without the extra air, it’s definitely better to have when you’re enjoying your mixed drinks or cocktail— or when you just want your drink to taste exactly as it should.
In addition, in some places (such as in hospitals where they give out ice chips) you expect the ice to be clean and sterile, so especially in these places, it would be favorable to keep the ice maker from producing white ice.
Does Hot Water Make Clear Ice?
Hot water does make ice more clear, however, when we say hot, we mean boiling hot!
Although it is quite logical to think that boiling hot water makes for clearer ice (as it removes the impurities), the guys over at Kitchn actually put it to the test and compared ice from boiling hot water against water from room temperature.
The result? Temperature does make a very noticeable difference!
So if you want to make your nugget ice or ice cubes more clear, you can definitely try boiling your water before freezing it. I also highly recommend cleaning your nugget ice maker regularly, this will not only keep your ice more clear but also extend the life expectancy of the nugget ice maker.
Conclusion
There you have it, everything you need to know about why your nugget ice is producing white ice and what you can do to change it.
Be sure to check out the rolled ice cream mix homepage for in-depth reviews, ratings, and buying guides on the best nugget ice makers available.
If you have any questions, feel free to let me know in the comments below!
