We make our own ice cubes. Keep reading. I’m a high-taster. Danny is a low-taster. These things don’t matter to him. But they matter to me. We have nasty, nasty water here in the frozen north. And it makes for even nastier ice cubes. So, we opted out of having the ice maker in our freezer connected directly to the pipes. I know you can get a filter on the water going to the ice maker, but it just wasn’t worth it to us for the cost. I just use a refrigerator Brita filter pitcher to make ice cubes.We invested in five Tupperware ice cube trays. The special feature we pay the big bucks for is the lids and Tupperware’s fabulous lifetime guarantee. These ice cube trays have lids to keep out wandering freezer smells.
We also use these ice cube trays to make baby food. For example, when I make pumpkin muffins or pumpkin roll, there is always leftover canned pumpkin. I scoop it into the ice cube trays, put the lid on, and freeze. When they’re frozen, I dump them into a labeled zippered freezer bag and wash the tray out for the next use. They are the perfect size to couple with some baby cereal or breastmilk.
My babies always love their veggies. It is the same price for a can of green beans as it is for the 6 oz. jar of baby food. So I buy the unsalted can of beans. I puree the whole can of green beans, fill up the ice cube tray, and freeze.
Ice cube trays are the perfect size for leftover tomato paste or chicken broth. I’ve had several recipes that call for just so many tablespoons of tomato paste or chicken broth. Why let the rest go to waste? Chicken broth cubes are especially handy for cooling “too-hot soup” for kids. As far as baby food goes, every fruit and veggie I can think of purees and freezes well.
For Christmas Eve we made (a couple days in advance) cranberry juice cubes to put into our fizzy grapefruit soda.
In the summertime we make milk cubes to put in the kids thermos cups in the van when we’re going out for a long while. We fill the cup as full as possible with milk cubes, and then top off with milk. This is much cheaper and healthier than stopping for a fruit drink at a fast food establishment.
You could even just wrap your ice cube trays in plastic wrap (for the more solid-like ingredients) to keep out wandering freezer smells. Think about all the things ice cube trays could do for you.
21 comments:
Who knew ice cube trays could be so versatile! I love how the Tupperware ones have lids. Thanks for all the tips. I have made baby food cubes a lot, but had never thought of your other uses. Thanks SO MUCH for sharing. I will definitely be utilizing these tips.
I wish I had a bigger freezer. These are great ideas.
Amazing! I might have to check into purchasing some.
I'm the same way about tasting water. Love that Brita!
Who knew that ice cube trays had so many uses?!
Have you seen the plastic, re-usable ice cubes that are being sold at Bed Bath & Beyond? I've been so tempted to buy a set and try them out!
Thanks for stopping by to read my WFMW post!
I'm from the frozen North too and our water is definitely disgusting up here. I make my own ice cubes too with bottled water..but I need to find some makers with a cover on them. Thanks for sharing! =)
Now that is what you call maximum useage. I'll have to try some of that! Thanks!
wow - you've really made me think. I just use them for ice - I'm exciting like that.
i don't have a lot of freezer space so once the blocks are ice, i also put them in Ziploc to save freezer space.
Great tips! I used to puree veggies from my MIL's garden and freeze them like that for our kids, but I never thought about the cans being the same cost. What a great idea!
Love all of the ideas. I'll also freeze juice for munchkin and put it in her juice, so it doesn't water it down.
Great ideas! I did the same thing with baby food, but some of these ideas I never thought of. Thanks for sharing!
We too, have icky water and we make our own ice...but I would have never thought (slaps forehead) to freeze the milk cubes to go in the milk! That is just too smart! And I'm going to have to find some tupperware ice cube trays with the lids...those sound really cool.
Great tip, I buy sonic ice for me but this is a good idea.
Thanks!
Have a great Wednesday.
blessings~
Annie
Very interesting choice of words ... high-taster & low-taster. I'm a high-taster, and hubby is a low-taster, and I taste a nasty taste in my drinks when I add ice cubes from our ice maker. In fact, even the filter on our refrigerator water doesn't taste good! YUCK!
I usually just buy a bag of ice and keep it outside and just put what I need for myself in a zip loc. Never thought to use a Brita filter pitcher to make ice with!
We freeze baby food as well. Great tip!
--Courtney
Great tips!!
We used ice cube trays for our baby food too, but didn't know the other great ideas you had.
Thanks
Great ideas!
This morning I froze leftover pumpkin from making pumpkin muffins so I could use it as baby food. I've never done this before. Reading your post was like a walk in the twilight zone.
Very clever! I used to make some of my own babyfood way back when. But freezing in cubes would have been a great idea. I've heard you can do this with pestos.
ahh yes, love the ice cube trays.
I freeze leftover wine in mine to add to soups and sauces. yes, sometimes we do have leftover wine.
Wow ! I didn't know that Tupperware sold ice cube trays. I like the idea of the covers for them. I'm going to have to call the local Tupperware lady. Thanks for sharing.
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