Abstract: A process for the production of polyol ethers comprising the steps ofA) reacting a mixture of at least one polyol and at least one carbonyl compound of the formulaR.sup.1 --CO--R.sup.2 (I)in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently of one another represent hydrogen or aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals containing 1 to 22 carbon atoms and 0, 1, 2, or 3 double bonds, with hydrogen at an elevated temperature in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst which is insoluble in the reaction mixture; andB) removing the polyol ether-containing reaction product from the catalyst.