Best way to get cracked ice

[Tiare]

I need a good ice cracker..have not yet seen any in any shop here that is both good and cheap and not sold only for restaurants and bars. I still use the old method of banging on a plastic bag in a towel..is quite tired of it..it makes noise..the floor get wet..the bag gets holes..the cat gets scared..How do you get your cracked ice?

[Milicent]

Use a snow cone machine. You can pick them up for $10-15 in the States. This might be a little more than cracked, but it works wonders if the ice size works for you.

[RobertBurr]

How about very small ice cubes? Can you find an ice cube tray that makes small cubes? No need to crack them.

[mammel]

Just spend a few thousand bucks on a fridge that makes crushed ice. They are well worth it, i can attest to that!

[Rum Runner]

I think Robert's idea of tiny ice cube trays a a good one.

Also what about a few turns in the blender? I assume all Tiki Bar owners have a suitable one. I have found it works for me if I don't load too many cubes. It is a bit noisy...But my cat prefers it to me wielding a mallet!

[RumBarPhilly]

Tiare, just chew it up and spit it into a glass. Nice and simple!

[Tiare]

Yea, I go for the last one..simple and easy!;) i`m a lazy person sometimes..

Seriously,its a bunch of good ideas here, thank you!

Never seen a tray with small ice cubes yet but i`ll start to look.

[Paulipbartender]

Could you not buy a hand or automatic ice crusher?

I've got one like this at home http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/602-5170490-6055002?asin=B00009XFR4&AFID=Shopping&LNM=B00009XFR4|Metrokane_Ice-O-Matic_-_Red_with_Chrome&ref=tgt_adv_XSC10001
and one not dissimilar to this in the bar
http://www.amazon.com/Waring-IC70-Pro-Professional-Crusher/dp/B0009XAHG0

[Tiare]

How good is hand crusher? do you get the ice crushed easily?

[Paulipbartender]

Yep they're pretty 'handy'. You get consistent crushed ice and it doesn't require too much effort - as long as you get yourself a solid machine with a nice long handle.

Or get a motorized one for full on lazy livin'

[Paulipbartender]

Tiare, just chew it up and spit it into a glass. Nice and simple!

Note to self - don't order drinks with crushed ice at bars in Philly!

[Tiare]

A very wise advise :D

[RumBarPhilly]

Well, I always have had a strict policy on no blenders (too noisy and a pain in the ass for bartenders), so I allow the crew to get a little... chewy. :)

[Tiare]

The drinks at your bar must taste very..say..personal.

[RumBarPhilly]

You ever have a Sicilian Kiss? Thats my Bartender, Benard's concotion, ha!

[Tiare]

Would i survive such a thing?:eek:

[RumBarPhilly]

An Italian pouring amaretto and soco over his "crushed" ice? Hmm...

Anyways, I saw this show about disgusting moments in restaurants, and there was this bartender who would spit into attractive guy's drinks as her "secret love potion" in hopes that one of the guys will love the drink, and the bartender.

[Tiare]

When you work in restaurants you`ll se quite a few... "things"

I was once chopping broccoli in a Thai restaurant and discovered there was full of some beige worms, when I said that to the kitchen boss he replied - just go on cook with it its lots of protein and the guests will never know..
Well, do you think i had that dish that day?

Its not deadly i know..but..:eek:

I can add that this was THE in place at that time..

[RumBarPhilly]

Remind me not to eat in any Thai restaurants in Stockholm! :)

[Tiare]

This was many years ago..maybe they have improved..;)

[angelsword]

I needed crushed ice tonight and used the towel against counter method.