Chilled Out Creations
Your Freezing Guide
Your Chilled Out Creations tray is a custom-designed silicone ice tray, individually created to form your chosen initials, lettering or logo in the ice. Simply fill, freeze and enjoy. This guide is here to help you get the very best result from your tray, from first pour to final serve.
Getting the Best From Your Tray
Your tray is designed to create your personalised design directly in the ice. It is not a specialised clear-ice freezing system, so the clarity and overall appearance of the finished cube can naturally vary depending on your water quality and freezing conditions.
Some cloudiness in homemade ice is completely normal and harmless. Natural minerals, dissolved air and the way water freezes in a home freezer can all contribute to cloudiness. This does not mean there is anything wrong with your tray.
Fine lettering and detailed logos can also trap small air bubbles while filling. The optional steps below can help reduce cloudiness, minimise trapped air and give your personalised design the best possible definition.
For everyday use, there is nothing complicated required â simply fill the tray, freeze it and enjoy. The additional tips are there for anyone wanting to optimise the presentation for photos, entertaining or a special occasion.
For the Sharpest Result (All Optional)
- Distilled or filtered water
- A small syringe (for designs with fine detail)
- Freezer set to â15°C (5°F) or colder
Choose Your Water
Tap water can be used just like any standard ice tray. However, the mineral content of tap water varies considerably and can contribute to cloudiness. For a cleaner result, filtered or distilled water can help reduce some of the minerals and impurities present in ordinary tap water.
Fill the Tray Slowly
Pour the water in slowly and steadily, leaving approximately 3â4 mm of space at the top. Water expands as it freezes, so a slight gap prevents overflow and keeps each cube clean and even. Pouring too quickly can trap air around the design detail.
Release Trapped Air
Gently tap the tray on your bench two or three times to encourage any trapped air bubbles to rise and escape. For most designs, this is all you'll need.
For trays with logos or fine lettering: a small syringe (under $5 at most chemists) is a handy optional extra. Use it to gently agitate the water inside each cavity and coax out any air caught in the detail. It's not required, but it's the finishing touch if you're chasing a really sharp result for photos or a special occasion.
Freeze Level and Undisturbed
Place the tray flat in your freezer and leave it undisturbed. A minimum of six hours is required, but overnight gives the best results. Actual freezing time varies between freezers â when in doubt, give it more time.
Release the Cubes
Remove the tray from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 2â3 minutes. This softens the silicone slightly and makes releasing the cubes effortless. Gently flex the base of each cavity upward and the cubes will pop out cleanly.
Pro Tips ¡ For the Perfect Pour
- Pour around the cube, never over it. Place the cube in the glass first, then pour your drink slowly around it. The cube is ice, so liquid poured straight over the top starts to melt the surface and the design won't show up as cleanly. Pouring around it keeps the detail crisp and the cube looking its best.
- Pre-chill your drink in the fridge beforehand. This reduces the thermal shock when the cube meets the liquid, which helps prevent cracking and keeps the design looking its best for photos.
- Hosting an event? Freeze a test batch a day or two in advance. It gives you time to refine your technique and ensures you have a complete tray ready to go on the day.