Ice...........

[delmarrey]

Ice has been a stick in the eye for us the last couple of years. I happened to notice a block of ice didn't seem as heavy as it use to. Thought I might just be getting stronger in my old age.

But I noticed that the ice was full of air bubbles. So what are they doing now? Are they making ice with air being pumped in, so it melts faster now and that you have to buy more often?

And then this year I noticed the blocks were just crushed up party ice re-frozen. You could see the round holes. One of those would only last about a 1-1/2 days. Where before I remember 3 days out of a block.

SOooo, in response I've installed a small freezer and an additional refrigerator. I've also installed a second large battery bank which was in the plans anyway and I'm going for some solar panels to carry the load in the near future. I make enough ice to keep the old ice box cool and store fruits, veggies and thawing meats, anything to keep out of the heat. Or an over-flow for the frig.

But to answer the OP question; The PNW of USA ice runs from $1 to $3 a block depending on where you get it. The more remote/touristy the more the ice........... But available anywhere there is a store or marina.

[w32honu]

We have noticed the same practices in Maine. Block ice is usually crushed party ice compressed into blocks and refrozen. It's better than small cubes but not much. We barely put a dent in our available power supply (480 amps stored with two 54 watt solar panels). Will probably keep the ice box as is and add a small Engle portable refer........ Might have the best of both worlds that way.

[Cyndimarcus]

Also remember, you need to transport heavy, melting, cold ice from store to boat.