Naked Science Forum
General Science => General Science => Topic started by: Karsten on 10/02/2010 01:34:19
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I want to make large ice cubes. They do not have to be cube shaped (all sides equal length), but should be at least box shaped. I was thinking of pouring water into flexible containers and letting it freeze outside. The winter temperatures are no problem, the containers are a problem though. I cannot find a square or rectangular rubber container that would not bust when the water freezes. I don't want cylindrical containers because you cannot pack the frozen "cubes" tightly when they are cylinders. The container needs to release the "cube" easily and needs to be able to be reused often. Ideally it is cheap enough to allow purchasing several.
If I use plastic containers which ones are less prone to breaking when the water freezes: Those that are big and flat, or those that are tall and skinny? Under bed storage containers or tall kitchen garbage containers?
Any thoughts?
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I've no real idea, but here are some thoughts:
The "draft angle" could be very important. That's the amount of taper on the sides of the container. The greater the angle, the more likely the ice will tend to move up the container as it expands, rather than explode the container.
The friction between the ice and the container could be very important. If the ice can slide up the container as it expands, it's less likely to explode the container.
I think polyethylene containers (if that's what Tupperware is made from) might be good from a friction point of view.
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What are they for?
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What are they for?
To make an old-fashioned refrigerator that uses no electricity. Ice-box. To store them until they are used during the summer they need to be packed tightly in an ice-house buried in saw dust.
BTW, I found a nice rectangular rubber water trough. Too bad it is a company in England that does not seem to sell their products in the USA.
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I've no real idea, but here are some thoughts:
The "draft angle" could be very important. That's the amount of taper on the sides of the container. The greater the angle, the more likely the ice will tend to move up the container as it expands, rather than explode the container.
The friction between the ice and the container could be very important. If the ice can slide up the container as it expands, it's less likely to explode the container.
I think polyethylene containers (if that's what Tupperware is made from) might be good from a friction point of view.
Yes, good points. I wonder if using PP rather than PE would be better if it is more flexible at lower temperatures (which I do not really know). It might not let the ice slide as much, but be more forgiving when it is stretched.
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Karsten they make this rubber like bake wear you can buy these days which would allow you to use like a large bread loaf pan made from this pliable rubbery cookware that I am sure can be frozen and then just flip the pan wrong side out to remove the cube.. I will look for the name of the stuff!
......ok its silicone bake ware see below.
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Karsten they make this rubber like bake wear you can buy these days which would allow you to use like a large bread loaf pan made from this pliable rubbery cookware that I am sure can be frozen and then just flip the pan wrong side out to remove the cube.. I will look for the name of the stuff!
......ok its silicone bake ware see below.
[ Invalid Attachment ]
Excellent idea. I even have one of those. I just forgot since I found it up at the dump and never used it. Thanks!
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Nawww!!! You can't ask such a question on a site like this and expect to walk away with only giant ice cubes!
Here's a no-electricity frig that lowers the temp ~25°F, ~14°C!
Pot-in-a-pot frig video (http://www.techawards.org/2006Videos/mohammed%20bah%20abba.mov)
A desert refrigerator (http://www.globalenvision.org/library/7/1847)
A Nigerian invention keeps food fresh without electricity (http://www.scienceinafrica.co.za/2004/september/refrigeration.htm)
The Rolex Award for the no-elec frig (http://rolexawards.com/en/the-laureates/mohammedbahabba-home.jsp)
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.earthascope.com%2Fwp-content%2Fthemes%2Fmimbo2.2%2Fimages%2Fpots.jpg&hash=995529509964fb447b9143478b2658ec)
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.syncronos.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2008%2F12%2Frolex-award-refrigerator.jpg&hash=4df973ab9fc20789a2a136a10ff7787f)
Very fine idea as well. I wonder how it works if it is not really cold to do much evaporation.