How do bars obtain clear ice?
Commercial establishments such as bars and restaurants go through a lot of ice. With such a high demand, they can easily justify the cost of an ice machine, and the best ice machines employ unique methods of eliminating this problem. While some machines (even many home refrigerator ice makers) will filter the water to remove minerals, this does not remove the air bubbles. The best commercial machines such as the highly-admired Kold-Draft machines use a technique to freeze the water while it is moving. This swirling effect allows the ice to build up in layers, never trapping any air. It also allows minerals to wash away as the crystals build up eliminating the need for filtration. Beautiful ice—Should I care? Many upscale bars a now have diverse “ice programs” in order to build cocktails that sometimes feature ice that enhances the look of the drink at an artistic level. Clear ice is colder, drier, and more beautiful. Solid cubes will melt slower and maintain lower temperatures. Less me
