Ice Cube Mold - Analysis and Buying Guide - 2023
An ice cube tray is a simple and essential kitchen tool, but not all ice cube trays work the same way or are equally convenient to use.
Ice cube trays can be made of plastic, metal or silicone. Each material has a different feel and a different method of extracting cubes. Cube shapes can be round, square, shallow or deep. Some trays have a non-spill design so you can easily transfer the tray from the sink to the freezer. Some even have lids so you can stack and freeze multiple trays at once.
An ice cube tray may be a small purchase, but it's a kitchen gadget you can use on a daily basis. We are going to break down the different types of ice cube trays and their features so you can choose the right tray for your kitchen.
Ice Cube Tray Material
Three common ice cube tray materials are plastic, silicone, and metal. The materials are most easily distinguished by their different dicing techniques, but they also have different durations.
- Plastic Ice Cube Trays
Plastic trays are popular for their low price and ease of use. Because plastic is easy to mold into a variety of shapes, there are many shapes and sizes of buckets available.
Many plastic trays have overflow notches that allow you to tilt the tray as you fill it to distribute the water evenly. Removing the ice cubes requires twisting or bending the tray and possibly picking up the cubes with your fingernail. This can be a challenge, especially if you have short nails.
Some plastic trays give an unpleasant plastic taste to the ice cubes. Make sure any plastic ice tray you buy is BPA free.
- Silicone Ice Trays
Silicone trays have a rubbery texture and come in as many forms as plastic trays. They have become popular as people move away from plastics to prevent chemicals from leaching into their food. The soft quality of the silicone allows for intricate molds for fun and unique ice cube shapes.
In most cases, you must fill each well of a silicone tray individually; there are no overflow notches like those found on some plastic trays. The cubes come out of the tray through a combination of flexing of the tray and pushing at the back of the wells. Some people find this method easier than folding a plastic tray.
Most silicone trays use food grade silicone and are BPA free. Notably, some silicone trays are prone to picking up freezer odors and transferring them to the bins.
- Metal Ice Trays
Metal ice buckets have a classic look that may remind some consumers of 1950s nostalgia. Most metal ice buckets are made of aluminum or stainless steel.
Because metal is difficult to flex, these trays often have a lever in the center. When you pull the lever, the divider between the bins lifts up, leaving you with a tray of easy-to-remove bins. This is considered by many to be the easiest method of removing ice cubes. However, getting the dividers back into place can be a challenge.
Metal ice cube trays have the advantage of freezing water faster, as both aluminum and steel have higher conductivity than plastic or silicone.
In most cases, it is not possible to partially fill a metal tray, so all cubes would have to be removed before filling a new tray.
Other Features of the Ice Cube Tray
Most ice cube trays make cubes ranging from 0.6 to 1.0 ounces. While larger cubes will melt more slowly (and diluted drinks more slowly), the difference is not significant. What matters most is finding a cube size that suits your preferences and the types of drinks you plan to make. For example, many cocktails and liqueurs require large cubes or spheres up to 2.5 inches in diameter. But for a refreshing summer drink, the smallest cubes are often the best.
Ice cube shapes include spheres, cubes, rectangles, and crescents. There is no distinct advantage to either form, and they all melt at relatively similar rates.
Some silicone trays have novel cube shapes. From hearts and stars to pop culture references, these types of ice buckets can be fun to use when throwing a party. You can also use them to make soaps, candles, and other crafts.
- Tray Size
While most ice cube trays make 15 to 24 cubes at a time, some can make up to 32 full-size cubes or more than 100 small cubes.
Bigger is not necessarily better. Before you buy, consider the dimensions of an ice cube tray and whether it would fit comfortably in your freezer.
- Top
Some plastic and silicone ice cube trays have lids to prevent spills. Lids allow for easy stacking, so you can freeze multiple trays in limited space. They can also protect the ice from absorbing unwanted odors and flavors from the freezer. It should be noted that most ice cube tray lids do not create a perfect seal. If you overfill a pan, there's a chance the lid will freeze shut.
- Spill Prevention
Navigating the tray full of water to the freezer without spilling requires a steady hand. That's why some trays have a little lip around the edge to prevent spills. If the tray doesn't have a lid, this can be a way to avoid a headache. Keep in mind that many silicone pans have cube-shaped molds that are flush with the edge of the pan, which can make spills common.
- Ease of Cleaning
An ice cube tray with round or spherical cubes is much easier to clean with a sponge than a tray with square cubes. However, if you opt for a dishwasher-safe tray, you won't have to worry about how difficult it is to clean by hand.
Tips
If you're having a hard time removing the cubes, try briefly running warm water down the back of the tray. This should help loosen them up.
Keeping the ice cube tray in the freezer door is asking for a spill, even if the tray has a lid. Consider finding a more stable home for it.
Ice cube trays don't have to be just for ice. You can also use them to make soap, candles and desserts.
A lid that slides (rather than snaps on) allows for easy removal of some bins without displacing others.
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