I'm always amazed at new things I read, watch on TV, or find on this site. I would never have thought to use empty egg cartons for ice trays. You can make ice using an egg carton, same way as you use your trays. The ice forms in a neat shape, larger then usual trays. They are especially great when, like me, you add cucumber, lemon, and other flavors to your water. I just did this with my watermelon juice I told you about beginning of summer. It worked great!
I made what I had ahead of time marked on the container what flavor each contained. I saw this on TV decided to try it and loved the fact I could just use one section per serving. Add a raspberry, lemon, orange slices, strawberries, or blueberries. Since egg sections are larger I got a larger, more satisfying taste to my ice.
I just threw these away before, now I'm going to play with different ideas. Since it doesn't cost a penny these would be great for showers or parties anywhere you are making cold drinks away from home. There are no worries about leaving the "trays" behind.
My ice came out easily. The cartons can be reused for freezing ice or flavors to add to your water. I have a large bottle that I use over and over again. Now I can put these cubes into my reusable bottle and then when melting the flavors spread throughout.
The same things you do with trays try with egg cartons. Put a stick or spoon into a frozen treat for on the go Popsicles. They are heavy, better then some I have seen at discount stores. The best part is you can throw them away so take your idea anywhere. Being able to enjoy the outing, party, barbecue, or church get together is what is important.
If you make your own soap this would be good for that, too. You can use these for separating vitamins and medications in advance. 12-18 separated sections for dividing daily doses. No extra cost is the part I love. I'm sure everyone can think of a different use for these equally separated cartons most of us have. Let me know what you come up with.
Source: I saw them used for ice cubes on RR repeat. I tried and it worked.
By Luana M. from San Diego, CA
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Love the idea of reusing for candle making!
I use egg cartons to keep pairs of earrings separated.
My issue with egg cartons is just how clean/sanitary are they? Are you talking the styrofoam kind? Those could be washed I suppose but can you really get them clean?
My son works at a grocery store and he said you should not use the egg cartons for other foods or ice that you will be putting in something to drink. Eggs can break and leave juice in carton and no matter how you wash it, you can not get it out of that carton. The carton absorbs what ever leaks onto it. The same applies to meat trays! He said you can not get a used carton clean enough to be safe and he would advice everyone not to take the chance.
I recently saw this idea also about making ice in the stryofoam egg cartons but the issue was whether they were safe enough to use. It was then suggested that making extra ice in them for the coolers, or for keeping food cool was a better way of using them.
We also just used them to make fire starters for our campfire. We melted wax candles that were leftover and the wicks were used up and poured the melted wax into the cardboard egg cartons. Our suggestion would be to double the cartons to prevent bleed through, Then when they are hardened, we but them to separate and tossed on the fire when it got low and needed a boost or use to start the fire. Worked great and we reused candle wax and egg cartons.
Thanks for feed back everyone! I only use organic brown eggs. Styrofoam isn't what they come in and wouldn't be what I use. My egg cartons looked cleaned however I would put in microwave for 2 minutes if you are worried.
Please DO NOT use egg cartons for ice making! Eggs can carry Salmonella, even organic eggs,and even when they are not broken. I do not believe that microwaving would make them food safe. Cartons have many re-uses, but not for any thing you are going to eat. Check out the food poisoning video on WebMD. Very informative.
My son too, is a supermarket manager, and NO reuse on the egg cartons or the meat trays for anything. One thing I did find out, I can buy the meat trays from the meat department for things I DO need that for. Like a dime per tray.
I don't get the microwave comment. Styro shrinks/melts in the microwave. Have done it for art crafts. My new microwave it would be 10 seconds before total meltdown. And the fiber cartons are porous.
Our state does not allow styro egg cartons in stores. Landfill NO NO. My mom in the next state, fine and dandy.
One thing, after bleaching the styro carton, my kids would use the paper punch and make confetti dots. Those can be used in making cool jewelry, needle through the middle of the dot with dental floss string, etc.
Many types of art or non-food use.
One more thing on the eggs. Eggs are not CLEANED like you and I would like them in the fridge. They are gently sprayed clean. Not wiped, not swabbed. And then a coating sprayed to help preserve them. Eggs are porous. And a broken egg next to another, will contaminate. Do you wash your eggs before using? Wash your hands after breaking one? Like handling raw meat. Yes, most would consider it overkill BUT the chance is there.
Not safe. Just buy some ice cube trays. 99 cents at the dollar store. What's wrong with that?
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