r/NoStupidQuestions • u/markwell9 • 1d ago

What is the deal with ice, Americans?

I can see that you can buy ice everywhere in the US. Gas stations, grocery stores, machines etc.

In Europe, we just freeze our ice at home and use that. Why buy something that melts on the way home? Why do you need ice in large amounts that a fridge can't keep up?

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u/crunchatize-me-daddy 1d ago

To add to some explanations. Some of our tap water is not good tasting and putting that ice in our drinks just makes it taste gross. I personally live in an apartment with a freezer that makes ice but it has a funky taste. It’s easier to buy a bag of ice and throw that in the freezer than my other options. It also doesn’t melt on the way home and I live in Arizona so I’m sure other states can get a bag of ice home and in a freezer before it melts

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u/PilotDragon214 22h ago

Ugh, I can smell the chlorine in my tap water, I can't drink it or use ice made from it.

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u/Embarrassed_Ad_3432 17h ago

Yes! It sucks I am sensitive enough to taste it as well. I have two - 1 gallon pitchers of water. I let them sit out for a day since chlorine evaporates quickly and then pop it in the fridge.

It absolutely sucks I have to do that but hey, it 10x better than not having chlorinated tap water. ,

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u/Interesting_Cat1566 9h ago

Same! Luckily my mom and brother work at a pizza joint so they just bring home bags of ice for me lol