Hot water can indeed make clear ice. Let me explain why.
When water freezes, it forms ice crystals. These crystals trap impurities and air bubbles present in the water, which ultimately give the ice its cloudy appearance. The impurities can be anything from minerals to dissolved gases or even microscopic particles.
By boiling water before freezing it, you can effectively remove many of these impurities. Boiling the water causes the impurities to separate from the water molecules and rise to the surface. This is why you may notice a foam or scum on top of the boiling water.
Once the water has been boiled and the impurities have been removed, you can then allow the water to cool and freeze. The result is clear ice cubes that are free from the impurities that cause cloudiness.
It is important to note that boiling water alone may not remove all impurities, especially if they are present in high concentrations. In some cases, you may need to use additional methods, such as filtering the water or using distilled water, to achieve the clearest ice cubes possible.
Personal Experience:
I remember the first time I tried boiling water to make clear ice cubes. I had always been frustrated with the cloudy appearance of my ice cubes, and I wanted to find a solution. After doing some research, I came across the idea of boiling water, and I decided to give it a try.
I filled a pot with tap water and placed it on the stove. Once the water started boiling, I noticed the foam forming on the surface. I let it boil for a few minutes, ensuring that any impurities had a chance to separate from the water.
After boiling, I transferred the water to ice cube trays and allowed it to cool before placing it in the freezer. When the ice cubes were ready, I eagerly took them out to inspect the results. To my delight, the ice cubes were much clearer than before. While they weren’t perfectly transparent, they were certainly a vast improvement compared to the cloudy ice cubes I was accustomed to.
Since then, I have continued to boil water before freezing it to make clear ice cubes. It has become a simple yet effective method for achieving visually appealing ice cubes for drinks and cocktails. I have also experimented with using filtered water and distilled water, both of which have further improved the clarity of the ice cubes.
Boiling water before freezing it can help remove impurities and result in clear ice cubes. However, it is important to note that the clarity of the ice cubes may still depend on the quality and concentration of impurities present in the water.