How to Cut a Block of Ice Perfectly

Small businesses, fishermen, artists and many unique professions use blocks of ice for all kinds of different reasons. Whatever the reason, often times the block needs to be cut to accommodate a smaller cooler, freezer or an appliance. Before you attempt to cut the block of ice yourself, ask you ice provider if they will cut the block for you. Often times ice companies will cut the ice block into halves or thirds for no additional charge. But, if you are picking up blocks from an ice company or having them delivered, you may find that you or your employees are cutting ice yourself.

So, if you are using block ice for the first time, these simple steps will prevent you from mutilating many a block at the mercy of your learning curve. In addition, it will save you money, by not discarding pieces that are cut in useless sizes. This way, you get a straight cut - exactly the size that you require. Lastly, no fancy tools are required. You can use simple tools your likely already have.

What you will need:

- Flat surface
- Block of ice
- Heavy gauge stainless steel knife, 6+ inches blade length
- Hammer

Step 1: Lay the ice block on a flat surface, parallel to your body, on its' side - long way. (Note: If in food service, leave the block in the bag, or wear disposable gloves.

Step 2: If right handed, take the knife in your left hand and lay the blade, sharp side on the ice, at the point in which you which to break the ice.

Step 3: With the hammer in your right hand, tap the knife on the flat side opposite the blade, with the hammer. The hammer never touches the ice, but makes light and decisive contact with the knife. The goal is not to break the ice now, it is to etch a line about 1/8 - 1/4 inch deep into one side of the ice. Tapping too hard may split the ice prematurely at its weakest point causing an undesirable edge: strange, diagonal or jagged break lines.

Step 4: Once a line on one side is plainly etched in the ice, rotate the ice block once, so a new side is facing up. Line your knife in the same fashion as before, at the corner where you see your etched line from the other side. Repeat "Step 3." When a line has been etched on two sides, repeat the process with the remaining two sides. Ultimately, you will have a solid line indention or ring around your ice block. Now that you have created a line around the block, when it splits, it is apt to split toward that line exactly, making a straight, flat break.

Step 5: With the knife point down, place the knife point on any side of the ice block, in the center of your grooved line. The knife should stand tall and straight in your hand, perpendicular to the ice - touching the ice in the grooved line with the point of the knife only, centered. Take the hammer and with strong force hit the blunt side of the knife handle highest in the air driving the knife like a spike directly straight down into the ice.

With one or two swift strokes of the hammer, to the end of the knife, the ice block should split straight with no chipping, leaving a flat surface on either side of your new, smaller blocks of ice.