Abstract: A crushed ice making method and apparatus in which water is introduced into the upper end of a tubular column open at the top and having a constricted air inlet at the lower end into which air is introduced in counterflow to the water. The column is positioned in heat exchange relationship with a refrigerant flow path, and the temperature of the refrigerant in this flow path is selectively controlled to either freeze the water in the column or thaw any ice formed therein to free the ice from the column side walls to effect ice harvesting. When ice of desired thickness has formed in the column, the air inlet is closed off by the ice, causing a pressure build-up in the air supply line. This pressure is sensed and employed to actuate control means causing hot refrigerant to flow in the refrigerant flow path in heat exchange relationship with the column to free the ice in the column from the side walls thereof, at which time the air pressure acts to force the ice upwardly out of the column.