While figuring out how to create clear ice cubes at home, I found some instructions that require handling of the ice for several minutes outside of the freezer. They all claim it's okay to put it back there for later use, but I am a bit concerned about this.
I am aware that ice cubes aren't food like pizza (which shouldn't be refrozen once thawed), but what about ice cubes made from store bought or tap water (no chlorine or anything in my area)?
Yes, it's completely safe.
The main reason you don't repeatedly freeze and thaw food are that it makes things less pleasant to eat by messing with the texture. (If you thaw by heating, and you heat all the way into the danger zone, I suppose there could be safety concerns too.)
None of that really applies to water. It's just water. You can keep a pitcher of water for quite a long time. You can keep ice cubes for a long time. You can keep water that's been in both forms for a long time too.
I don't know what kind of handling you're talking about doing, but the only possible issue I could see is if you manage to contaminate it while handling, but that's not an issue with the melting and freezing.
