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You’re over making ice in your ice trays. You need something that will keep your drink cold without watering it down, and it may be time to switch to a reusable ice cube.
Reusable ice cubes are convenient, never water down your drink, and come in a wide variety of materials to help keep your drink cold for hours. We’ve got a few favorites on our list, so let’s put those watered-down drink days behind you with our reusable ice cube review.
Table of Contents
Plastic Ice Cubes
Plastic is great because it’s easy to clean and lightweight. It’s also cheaper if you’re just beginning to invest. If you often have guests over or you tend to lose your ice cubes, plastic could be a convenient investment.
HOFA Reusable Smooth Plastic Ice Cubes White (Pack of 20)
HOFA’s reusable pack comes with 20 cubes measuring one inch by one inch in size. They’re a clear white color and have a mesh bag for easy storage. They should keep drinks cold for about an hour and a half, and when you’re ready to reuse them, just hand wash with gentle soap, dry, and refreeze.
30 Pack of Blue3D Reusable Plastic Ice Cubes In Blue
Blue3D’s pack includes 30 plastic cubes in blue, light blue, and white shades. They measure one inch by one inch and uses distilled water with BPA free plastic for safe drinking. When you’re ready to reuse, just handwash the cubes, dry them, and refreeze.
Reusable Plastic Ice Cubes 16 count
OTC’s ice cubes come in an assorted variety of colors including yellow, blue, and pink. They measure one inch by one inch and freeze quickly, so you never worry about running out. You can’t pick the colors, but they do lend a very festive touch to party drinks.
Whiskey stones and Stainless steel ice cubes
Stainless Steel or stone choices are more durable than plastic and a bit safer. They’re a more significant investment, so it could hurt a bit if you end up losing them during a party or you have children who like to play with (and subsequently lose) them.
Whiskey Stones Pack of 10 Reusable Ice Cubes by Spirit Stones
Spirit Stones reusable ice cubes come in a pack of ten and are made from FDA approved virgin soapstone. They’re nonporous and dishwasher safe, but you shouldn’t use them in any kind of shaker because they can chip. They measure 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch.
Set of 9 Grey Beverage Chilling Stones by Quiseen
Quiseen’s chilling stones are made from FDA approved soapstone and include a gift box with velvet pouch. When you’re ready to reuse them, rinse carefully, dry, and place back into the freezer. They’re about 3/4 inches by 3/4 inches. Be sure not to use them in a shaker so that you don’t damage the surface.
Kollea Stainless Steel Pack of 8 Ice Cubes
Our final reusable cube is a stainless steel variety that uses a liquid filled interior surrounded by stainless steel for a quick, long-lasting freeze. The set comes with a gift box and a tiny set of tongs. They use only food grade materials and are dishwasher safe. Each stone is one inch by one inch.
How Do I Choose A Reusable Ice Cube?
Reusable ice cubes come in three basic materials, but each one could be more suited to your specific situation. Let’s take a look.
- plastic: best for parties and households with children. They tend to be cheaper to replace and more festive for party drinks.
- stone: best suited to small drinks such as whiskey on the rocks. They don’t absorb odors but could add a film to your drink if you’re rough with them because the surface can chip.
- stainless steel: best for fast freezing. Stainless freezes quickly and holds the temperature thanks to interiors filled with freezing gel or liquid. They aren’t as delicate as stone but can be expensive.
How Do I Care For My Reusable Ice Cubes?
Some are dishwasher safe, but for the best results, we recommend rinsing with plain water or water and very mild soap. Allow to air dry or dry thoroughly with a towel (gently) before returning to the freezer. Reusable cubes are rarely suitable for shakers, so be sure you are gentle when you pour or place your cubes.
How Cold Do Reusable Ice Cubes Keep Drinks?
Most cubes aren’t going to keep your drink as cold as regular ice, and that isn’t the point. For smaller drinks such as bourbon, it should bring the drink down from room temperature to approximately cellar temperature within a few minutes. For ice-cold drinks from the fridge, reusable ice cubes should keep your drink cold for an hour or so before you have to replace them with fresh cubes.
Final Thoughts
Reusable ice cubes are great ways to keep your drinks cold without adding a bunch of extra water as the ice melts. They may not always keep your beverage as cold as pure ice, but with the right preparation, they can work excellently to maintain drink temperatures efficiently.