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It’s summer, it’s hot, and you just want a cold drink. But it’s hard to ignore the fact that your ice cubes will water down your drink as they melt. Reusable ice cubes are a great solution to this issue, as they're made of frozen synthetics like silicon gel and won't melt at all. You can also use them as many times as you want! We've done the research for you and created this list of the nine best reusable ice cubes on the market this year.
Our favorite reusable ice cubes are Urban Essentials' Reusable Freezable Ice Cubes. They're safe and easy to use, and those who have purchased them love their design. Read on to learn more about our other picks and a buying guide at the end.
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There are a lot of options out there, and everyone's situation is different. We've compiled this buying guide of tips and things to consider when buying reusable ice cubes.
There are three main types of reusable ice cubes: plastic, stainless steel, and stone. Each has its own strengths, so read on to find the best one for you!
However, if you go with plastic, make sure you choose a BPA-free one to ensure you’re not ingesting harmful chemicals and to avoid a chemical taste getting into your beverage. Some plastic reusable ice cubes are also filled with silica gel, which can be toxic if it leaks.
Still, plastic reusable ice cubes tend to get the coldest, cool the surrounding liquid the most efficiently, and stay cool the longest. They also float just like regular ice cubes do. So long as you're careful, they can be a great option.
Stainless steel ice cubes are filled with either a gel or with alcohol, both of which hold a constant temperature better than water. They also freeze fairly quickly; a stainless steel reusable ice cube will normally be ready for use in less than five hours.
While some stainless steel ice cubes might be designed with cooling liquids in the center, there's very little risk of leakage due to the cubes' material. These gels are also less likely to be toxic than the gels that go inside plastic ice cubes, due to the standards surrounding the cubes' manufacturing process.
Due to their construction, stainless steel ice cubes will stay at the bottom of the glass and don’t really give off any extra flavors. This makes them great for those who don't like getting hit in the face with ice cubes. However, stainless steel ice cubes are not as effective for dropping temperatures of hot, warm, or room temperature drinks.
However, stone cubes are the least effective at cooling drinks. They tend to only drop temperatures a few degrees. Thus, they’re best for already cold drinks and to use in alcoholic drinks, which cool down faster and don’t require ice-cold temperatures.
The cube shape that most ice cubes and reusable ice cubes are made in is great for general use. It's compact and fits a wide variety of situations. While cubes of ice or reusable ice can come in multiple sizes, their shape is typically the best fit for a common freezer, making them easy to store.
Stick-shaped ice cubes are meant to be used in water bottles. They’re slim so that they easily slip through a narrow bottle mouth and long so that they cool as much of the liquid at one time as possible.
Though not as versatile as cubes, stick-shaped reusable ice can make your water thermos last all day. The unique shape also means you’ll likely only need one at a time.
Just a note, though: be careful when giving round ice cubes to children. If they’re too small, they could be a choking hazard. It might be better to stay away from smaller reusable ice cubes that have fun shapes if you're hosting a party for kids or have little ones of your own.
Otherwise, uniquely shaped reusable ice cubes can be a great way to spice up your drink. These sorts of unusually shaped ice cubes can also be excellent party favors, or just one more way to treat your guests well.
Reusable ice cubes must be cleaned after each use. While this can obviously be done by hand, plastic reusable ice cubes and some stainless steel reusable ice cubes are dishwasher safe. This handy feature will save you time and trouble and ensure that you always have clean cubes ready to pop in the freezer.
It's always important, though, to read each product's instructions on cleaning. Some reusable ice cubes absolutely can't be washed in the dishwasher. Stone cubes, for example, could cause a lot of damage to your machine and any other cutlery inside of it.
Still, dishwasher-friendly reusable ice cubes are a helpful option if you're short on time or use your cubes daily.
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Urban Essential's reusable ice cubes are the perfect fit for most situations due to their quick chill time of one hour and the fact that their size is quite similar to real ice cubes.
Some people who bought Urban Essentials' reusable ice cubes complained that unless the drink is pre-chilled, these cubes won't keep it cold for very long. Others warn that if you have a keen sense of taste, you might notice a mild plastic flavor in your drink while using them.
Still, most reviewers were thrilled with the safe materials and cooling abilities of these cubes. Others note that the dishwasher-friendly aspect of the cubes makes them easy to use and great with large groups or families. The overall consensus was that Urban Essentials are a festively colored and eco-friendly option for keeping drinks cold without diluting the taste.
Kollea's stainless steel ice cubes come with a plastic tray and a set of tongs, which also fit into the tray. These elegant cubes are filled with a non-toxic gel that, once chilled for four to five hours, will maintain your beverage's chill quite nicely.
Many reviewers say that Kollea's reusable ice cubes are just right temperature-wise for a stiff drink after a long day. Others who bought these cubes are just as happy when using them in flavored drinks that benefit from a pleasant cooling effect. Whether you like alcohol or not, these are great for a mild, long-term chill.
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Quiseen's whiskey stones are made from 100 percent pure soapstone, which is the best material for reusable stone ice cubes. While the science behind chilling stones makes them the least likely to cool a room-temperature drink to a point lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit, it does guarantee the slight cooling factor will last a long time.
Some reviewers who purchased these whiskey stones warn that they left gray sediment in the bottom of the glass and may need to be thoroughly washed before initial use. Others were less than pleased with how little the stones chilled their drinks and returned them.
For the most part, however, whiskey lovers and those buying gifts for them seem to be especially thrilled with Quiseen's whiskey stones. They say that the undiluted, lightly chilled drinking experience is just as great as it looks. As whiskey is not usually intended to be consumed cold, the slight temperature drop these reusable ice cubes give is perfect.
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Efiwasi's plastic ice cubes come in a fun array of shapes, colors, and styles. They contain purified water and have a barcode you can scan for full transparency on how they're made. Though fewer in number than other plastic reusable ice cubes on this list, they're still quite plentiful at 30 cubes a pack and come sealed inside their own storage unit.
Plenty of buyers, however, say that the storage container fits neatly inside their freezers but still lets the cold in well enough to freeze the cubes. Those that did have packaging or damage issues with their cubes were quickly given replacements by the company. These ice cubes are a safe and well-regulated option.
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Balls of Steel's double whiskey chillers are unique in their design, patented cooling technology, and in the forward-thinking way they donate to fight against cancer in men. These reusable sphere-shaped ice cubes are lightweight but claim to bring the temperature of your beverage down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit within a minute.
Some people who purchased Balls of Steel worry that the small size of the chillers isn't enough to do the job at best and creates a choking hazard at worst. Although they're intended for whiskey, we recommend against using Balls of Steel if you've already had too much to drink.
On the other hand, those who have had experience with other whiskey chillers or whiskey stones say that Balls of Steel work more effectively to keep their beverages cold. Many have reported that Balls of Steel are a fun and useful choice if you're looking for a gift option.
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Frolk's luxurious whiskey stone gift set comes with everything: two solid steel, extra-large spherical ice cubes, a pair of tongs, and glassware. The large size of these spherical whiskey stones gives them an advantage at cooling your whiskey, and the bag they come with makes it easy to store them in your freezer.
A few buyers have complained about the quality of the packaging, as it can sometimes result in the items being covered in dust.
Almost every person who bought this gift set reported that the receiver was delighted with the quality of both the chilling balls and the glassware. Because these steel balls are solid, they do require about six hours to freeze. But when they're put into the matching glassware with a splash of whiskey on top, reviewers say that the effect is satisfying and makes a great present.
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These reusable ice sticks are made from medical-grade, BPA-free plastic, and hold eight ounces of water. This water must be provided by you, which is great if you don't like the idea of having sealed liquids in your ice cubes.
When it comes to keeping pre-chilled beverages cold, however, most reviewers were pleased with the results. Many reported that their water bottles were still cold even at the end of a school or work day. These little sticks are also apparently handy for kid's lunches and water bottles. So long as you measure your bottle before buying, we think they're a great option.
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Litecube's eight-mode, glowing reusable ice cubes are a dynamic addition to any party or household. They are made from FDA-approved materials and can be programmed with the push of a button. Just be careful about brand knock-offs; the company warns that unless the cubes have stickers with their patented light bulb symbol, they may be fake.
Some users were disappointed by the fact that Litecubes' batteries are non-replaceable, making them a one- or two-time use product. If you're looking for reusable ice cubes that you can use over and over again, you may want to look somewhere else.
Most people who bought Litecube's products had only good things to say Litecube, literally and figuratively. Some report that using the lighting effects at only one or two hours at a time kept the cubes going for a month or two. All were happy with how easy to use the cubes were. If you want to cool your drink in style, this is a great choice!
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Urban Essentials adds a sweet unicorn design to their reusable ice cube offerings. These toxin-free plastic, uniquely-shaped ice cubes are dishwasher friendly and great for kids of all ages.
A few reviewers note that due to the unique shape of these reusable ice cubes, they don't freeze as well as generically crafted cubes might. This means you will probably need more unicorns to keep your drink at the preferred temperature.
Almost every user admits that these unicorn-shaped cute ice cubes are a hit with their children. They add that the multi-colored pastel unicorns make bring some life and fun to the table and generally do a fair enough job of keeping drinks cold.
If you want to invest in reusable ice cubes, there are a few things to keep in mind so you can get the full bang for your buck as you use them. Due to the science behind these handy cubes, they may not always function exactly as real ice would.
It's a good idea to remember that reusable ice cubes are simply not as potent as actual ice. While they can do a fine job of keeping your drink cool, it's a bit unlikely that they will be able to chill a hot or room temperature beverage. This is because there isn't as much pure ice in a reusable ice cube due to its shell of outer material.
So long as you keep this in mind and wash your cubes after each use, you're sure to have a great experience with these eco-friendly additions to your kitchen!
As the weather warms up, you may be looking for more ways to cool down. Check out our recommended articles below for more products that will keep you refreshed this summer.
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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