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Thirteen Uses For Old Ice Cube Trays

By Jerry ⋅ June 25, 2008 ⋅  Email This Post ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

Even if you’ve got an ice maker in your fridge, chances are that you have a few old ice cube trays hanging out somewhere around your home or apartment.  Why not re-purpose those dust collectors into something that you can use on a daily basis?

No, Really, they’re good for more than just one or two things, and some of these uses surprised me in a very pleasant way.  I’m sure everyone knows that you can make Kool-Ade Jammers with them, but I think you might be surprised by a few of the other uses you can put them to.

Following are some ideas I came across on the Associated content Network and a few of my own.  I will of course post links to the original authors in the footnote.

Thirteen Uses For Old Ice Cube Trays

1. Store small nuts, bolts and screws: If you’ve ever had to look through a pile of them to find just the rigt one, you’ll know how much of a timesaver this could be!
2. Save Your Stock: Freeze leftover stock or pan sauce in an ice cube tray then store in a plastic bag in the freezer.  You’ll always have a little on hand when a  recipe calls for it.
3. Make Mini-Meatloaves: Just mix your meatloaf as usual, place the mix in ice cube trays and freeze.  Once frozen, remove the mini-loaves and store in an airtight container or zip top bag in the freezer.  Invert to cook and you’ve got what amounts to an appetizer-sized meatloaf!
4. Make Wine Cubes: Got some leftover wine that you won’t be able to get to in the next few days?  Freeze it in a plastic covered ice cube tray.  It’s the perfect way to have a little ready for recipes, or use to cool a glass of the next bottle you buy without dilluting the wine at all.
5. Herb Garden Goodness: Use old ice cube trays to germinate herbs in your kitchen window.  You can then safely plant the seedlings after the last frost of the year.
6. Pesto-licious: Freeze extra pesto or other herb mixtures and store in an airtight container for those times when a little is just enough.  Then all you hav e to do is defrost and eat!
7. Rockin’ Ice Cubes: If you’re having any type of drink that contains muddled herbs (mojito, andyone?), just freeze a mint sprigs or anyother herb you please in an ice cube tray.  Your mixed drink now has a really neat and flavorful ice cube to boot!
8. Junk Drawer Sanity Savers: Is your junk drawer mkore of a junk cemetary?  Clear the clutter by ising Ice cube trays as small organizers. (The old fashioned kind with the removable dividers would work great for this!)
9. Your Personal Prep Cook: Use ice cube trays to store chopped foods.  Cover with plastic and simply defrost the morning before you’ll need the ingredients.  This way you can do your prep work for several days worth of meals all at the same time..  Pretty ingenious!
10. Laundry Sanity Aid: Keep an old ice cube tray near the washer to collect loose change, accessorires and whatever else was left in pockets.  It’s simple to carry the tray around to put those items back in their proper place.
11. Get Crafty: Do you work on craft projects that use glues or paints?  Use an old ice cube tray to store small amounts of different paint colors and thinners.  They’re cheaper than buying similar paint wells at an artist’s supply.
12. Whip up some cookies in a hurry: The next time you make cookie dough, make extra, then place in an ice cube tray and freeze it.  The next time the urge for cookies strikes, just pop out as many cubes as you need and get to bakin!
13. Umm What About Ice?: If you’re actually going to make ice in your ice cube trays, use cooled boiled water or distilled water.  This will make nearly perfect ice cubes that won’t cloud or haze.  They just look better in your drinks.

Do you know of any other uses for thos old ice cube trays? If so, let us know!

Happy TT!

Idea Credits:

• Creative uses For Ice Cube Trays
• Ten Alternate uses For Ice Cube Trays
• 10 Unusual Uses for ice Cube Trays
• Unusual Uses for Ice Cube Trays & My Ice Coffee Recipe

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