Oh Oh, my favorite persons are suggesting caution.
Actually, it is one of my more favorite methods of odd ball casting,
and I have done it for 20 years. I recently even added Frit to the
ice and gotten some very interesting and useful results.
I will share my method, and then welcome discussion.
I use a Tuna or Cat food can, usually the 5 ounce can. I place that
inside a cake baking pan half full of water on a Solderite Board. I
quickly put in a layer of ice chips about half an inch thick, melt
the metal, usually silver in a WHIP held crucible, and pour in on
top of the ice.
More recently I have added frit into the ice chips and then poured
the molten metal. I have never seen a splash or steam pop of any
type.
The result is similar to broom casting, except the resulting
castings tend to be more circular than linear.
I recently taught this method to a group of seniors, who loved it.
I have also used gravel, beans, rice, and fancy pasta shapes in the
tin can, and they all work rather well. Yes, as straw, they do have
an odor during the process.
Safety precautions always, glasses, apron, etc.
Just had another idea, randomly placed heat resistant stones, CZ’s
etc, on top of the ice and then pour. Yes, you do know I will try
that.
Hugs,
Terrie