Yes, ice cubes from the freezer typically melt more slowly than ice cubes from the refrigerator. This is due to the temperature difference between the two environments and the way each appliance operates.
Freezer:
- The freezer compartment in a refrigerator maintains a much lower temperature than the main refrigerator compartment. The temperature in the freezer is usually set to around 0°F (-18°C) or lower.
- Ice cubes made in the freezer are exposed to these much colder temperatures, which helps keep them frozen for an extended period.
- Freezers are designed to create a colder environment, which slows down the melting process of ice cubes.
Refrigerator:
- The main refrigerator compartment is kept at a temperature above freezing, usually around 35°F to 40°F (1.7°C to 4.4°C).
- If the refrigerator has an ice maker or ice cube tray, the ice cubes made in this compartment will be exposed to temperatures above freezing, causing them to start melting at a faster rate compared to those in the freezer.
- The refrigerator's primary function is to cool items above freezing to preserve food but not to freeze items like a dedicated freezer.
Due to these temperature differences, ice cubes from the freezer will have a lower initial temperature and, therefore, melt more slowly when exposed to room temperature or placed in a drink. On the other hand, ice cubes from the refrigerator will start melting relatively quickly because they are already at a temperature close to the melting point of ice.