I often found myself wondering if I could freeze hydrogen water during the summer. Since adopting this wellness lifestyle, I’ve grown so accustomed to hydrogen water that switching back to regular water seemed unappealing. However, enduring the scorching summer heat without chilled drinks was out of the question.
Determined to find a solution, I set out to learn whether freezing hydrogenated water was even FEASIBLE, as it could be a game-changer for keeping cool.
If you’re wondering the same thing, here’s everything you need to know.
Can You Really Freeze Hydrogen Water?
YES, I was genuinely relieved to find out that I can actually chill hydrogen water by keeping it in the freezer. However, I quickly learned that it’s essential to store it in a closed container (I use a water bottle), filled to the brim to prevent any air from being trapped inside.
As you might already know, molecular hydrogen is HIGHLY VOLATILE and POORLY SOLUBLE in water (source), so even the slightest bit of air can accelerate the gas’s dissipation, reducing its concentration.
This discovery was reassuring, but it still left me wondering: what if I wanted to freeze the water, not just drink it chilled?
Through my trials, I found that you can indeed freeze hydrogen-infused water, just like regular drinking water. However, I noticed that the retention of H2 gas is questionable due to the gas’s extreme volatility. Even though hydrogen’s solubility increases in colder water, it remains limited.
I also learned that hydrogen gas is so unstable it can dissipate through materials like metal, plastic, and glass. This made me realize that some of the gas might still escape even after being frozen, despite the higher solubility in colder conditions.
For example, when I tried making ice cubes with freshly prepared water containing 2,000 ppb of molecular hydrogen, I couldn’t be sure how much of the gas actually remained once the water turned to ice. As of now, there is no good way to test H2 concentration in hydrogen ice.
Alternatively, Can You Put Regular Ice In It And Store It In The Fridge?
In my efforts to improve my hydration levels and cut down on sugar, I’ve often wondered if I could skip sugary drinks and instead enjoy cold hydrogen water with a few ice cubes.
However, I reasoned that if I added ice cubes to the hydrogen water and put the bottle back in the fridge, the ice would inevitably melt, increasing the water content. While the molecular H2 concentration would initially stay the same if the ice cubes were added quickly enough, the extra water from the melting ice would DILUTE the dissolved hydrogen.
In other words, adding ice to hydrogen water and storing it in the refrigerator would result in cold water with a LOWER CONCENTRATION of molecular hydrogen. Over time, it would continue to decrease due to its highly volatile nature.
Also Read: How To Generate Hydrogen Water At Home?
So, How Can You Freeze Hydrogen Water?
If adding ice cubes to hydrogen-infused water and refrigerating it doesn’t appeal to you, you can always try freezing the water directly.
Freezing hydrogen water is STRAIGHTFORWARD and doesn’t require any special knowledge of physics or chemistry. However, there are a few important precautions to keep in mind. Let’s take a look at what you need to consider.
Precautions
- Never freeze your hydrogen water generator or place it in the fridge, even if you’re curious. These devices are designed to operate within a temperature range of 5 to 45 degrees Celsius (41-113 degrees F). They contain specialized electrolytic components that are highly SENSITIVE to temperature, moisture, and other external factors.
- To avoid damaging your hydrogen water generator, always keep it away from freezing temperatures.
- When freezing hydrogen water, don’t use a plastic cup or a container with a loose lid. Instead, choose an airtight, sturdy glass container, reusable plastic bottle, or a stainless steel flask to prevent the H2 gas from escaping.
Steps To Freezing Hydrogen Water
Follow the steps below, which should take no more than 2 to 3 minutes to complete:
- QUICKLY pour the freshly prepared hydrogen water into a flask or a hermetically sealed glass container, as previously mentioned. It’s important to do this as quickly as possible to prevent molecular H2 from escaping into the air.
- When pouring, fill the container to the brim—do not leave any space at the top. This ensures that the gas remains confined in the water, preventing it from dissipating.
- Immediately close the lid, ensuring it is properly sealed with no leaks or air gaps.
- Place the sealed container in the refrigerator and allow it to freeze completely.
That’s it! As you can see, freezing hydrogen water can be accomplished in just a couple of minutes. Once frozen, you can enjoy it during the hot summer days to stay refreshed without compromising your wellness.
But, How Long Can You Freeze Hydrogen Water?
When planning to freeze hydrogen-infused water, it’s important to estimate how long it will remain usable. Don’t worry—frozen H2 water won’t spoil or become undrinkable after a certain number of days. Let me explain further.
Although it looks and tastes like regular water, hydrogen water is different because of its composition. It contains extra H2 molecules that tend to dissipate rapidly into the air.
Over time, the frozen water will gradually lose these hydrogen molecules or retain only a minimal amount. When that happens, it essentially becomes regular water, lacking the benefits associated with hydrogen water. This is why understanding how long it can be frozen and how to extend that time is helpful.
You may already know that hydrogenated water can retain its concentration for up to 8 hours before the molecular gas starts dissipating more quickly.
However, if the water is frozen in a properly sealed container that leaves no space for air, the extra hydrogen concentration can be maintained for 24 to 48 hours. So, to maximize the advantages, make sure to use the frozen water within 48 hours of placing it in the freezer.
Freezing hydrogen water or drinking it chilled can be a great way to enhance this wellness drink and beat the summer heat. You can freeze it in an airtight bottle by following the steps I mentioned earlier.
So, ensure to consume the water as soon as possible, as the extra H2 molecules can escape rapidly into the air, diminishing its advantages. But, never place your hydrogen water generator directly in the fridge to freeze the water, as this could damage the device.
Key Takeaways
Hydrogen water can be frozen, but it’s crucial to use a stainless steel flask, bottle, or glass container to minimize gas dissipation.
Molecular hydrogen is highly volatile and poorly soluble, meaning it can escape even when frozen. The retention of H2 concentration is uncertain when making ice cubes from this water.
Adding regular ice cubes to hydrogen water dilutes its concentration when the ice melts, which reduces the advantages.
To freeze it effectively, pour freshly made hydrogen water into a container, filling it to the brim to prevent air gaps. Then, seal the container tightly and place it in the freezer.
Frozen hydrogen water remains beneficial for 24 to 48 hours, as the H2 concentration diminishes over time.
Never freeze a hydrogen water generator, as extreme temperatures can damage its components.
