Introduction: The Disposable Archimedes Cube
Ice cubes are easy to make! But then they're a pain to get out of the tray, and bump against your upper lip while you're drinking, and make you sad thinking about the Titanic, if it were in the drink.
I wanted to make a new ice cube, one that wouldn't make you weep into your drink for all those lost souls as tears rolled down your frostbitten upper lip into whatever you happen to be drinking.
I succeeded! With the help of...ARCHIMEDES.
Step 1: The Raw Material
FIRST: Fill a plastic cup with just a little bit of water.
This water will someday be your Disposable Archimedes Cube!
I haven't tested it, but I suspect if you use a glass cup, you may shatter something along the way.
Step 2: Put a Glass on It!
That's right...a SECOND plastic cup. No, really...hear me out.
Step 3: ARCHIMEDES LIKE MAGIC
Fill this second glass with enough water to displace the water in your original glass to the level you want the ice cube to be.
I guess you could fill it with gold if you wanted to be classic about it.
Step 4: Freeze It Like Walt Disney's Head!
Just like that. The ice in the first cup will expand, pushing the first glass upward using some sort of Scientific Force.
Now you may remove the second cup from the first. If you have used plastic, as the instructions stipulate, this will be easy. If you've used glass there will be little shards of glass mixed in with your Archimedes Cube and you will drink bitter sorrow.
Bonus! The ice cube from the second cup can be given to someone less cool than you. It is a fully functional ice cube.
Step 5: Fill With Liquid Victory!
Advantages to the Disposable Archimedes Cube:
--It will not bump against your lip, freezing it
--It will cool your drink circumferentially, maximizing surface cooling area
--It will melt evenly
--It will stabilize your plastic cup, preventing the "overstrong grip spill leak" faux pas
Disadvantages to the Disposable Archimedes Cube:
--None. It is a perfect Platonic form and you may dream of it tonight.
Finalist in the
Redneck Contest
87 Comments
10 years ago on Step 5
Excellent idea, thanks, saved to my "must try one day" list.
Alternative: take the second glass out, put another, empty, glass in, then fill that with drink - the liquid will be cooled by contact with the ice but not diluted as it melts? And the second glass can have another, empty, glass in it as well
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
An excellent idea! As long as we don't get tempted by Infinite Cups.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
lol I think it's limited by how many glasses one oould get upright in a freezer - might be neat to have a short series of shaped ice - maybe have a contest and the loser gets the plain-ice one that was at the top
10 years ago on Step 5
i'm going to do this RIGHT NOW bec we have an "ice issue" in this house (ice cubes + 5-1/2yr old = Not A Good Thing and many wet socks)
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
I have the same problem. Except mainly because my dexterity is roughly equivalent to that of an especially clumsy 5 1/2 year old.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
LMAO
10 years ago on Step 5
My heart is filled with gladness and relief. While I can not be sure to dream of your icy magnificence this night, those dreams shall undoubtedly be enjoyable. I raise my suddenly old fashioned glass to you!
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Your prose bests mine, sir! Well done!
10 years ago on Introduction
Really?!? Or just store real glasses in the freezer and forego "cubes" completely. Better for the environment, saves water and doesn't dilute drinks.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Indeed--the overuse of water via wanton ice cube consumption is not just our problem, but one for our children too.
And this is why I usually (and selflessly, for the children) just drink straight from the bottle.
10 years ago on Step 5
Like Archimedes, did you run the streets naked after the eureka? LOL
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
My next instructable will have to be on how to get acquitted on a public indecency charge.
Reply 10 years ago on Step 5
Unfortunately, he did. There are blurry photos of the event in the local paper. It was a sad day. Quite sad for Luke, actually, as the blurry bit was rather tiny.
10 years ago on Introduction
You know, you could make a jig to hold 4-5 (or more) of these together in a row and not take up much more room :-)
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
I think I may have to try this!
10 years ago on Step 3
No, I tried it with gold and it melted the thin cup and ran into the floorboard cracks. Darn!
7 years ago on Introduction
Boy am I late to this party! Is Scientific Force one of the Fantastic Four?
Great Instructable, sir!
10 years ago on Step 5
Your instructions are hilarious. Love it.
10 years ago on Introduction
This Instructable is way to cool to keep a secret! I am sharing with all my friends... Wait, I haven't any, yet.
Anyway, I was wondering if this would work with several layers of cups instead of just two, and using the deep freezer to accommodate the volume and stack of cups? Can't wait to give it a try. Thanks a lot!
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
I have friends. I also have a girlfriend. My girlfriend thinks I'm a stalker: well, she's not my girlfriend yet.
*Not really. I happily married, but the joke's too good to pass up!