Reusable Ice Cubes: Are They Worth It?

Making small changes in your daily life can quickly add up, and during a recent dinner conversation with my kids, we started talking about the ice cubes we had just taken out of the freezer. 

Now, while we had used ice cube trays rather than a dedicated ice maker, we started discussing if we really should be using reusable ice cubes. 

We also quickly came to the conclusion that plastic ice cubes were probably not the way to go, and after some research, we found that there are a few great choices to ensure our drinks stay cold. 

We've also come up with a list of the best reusable ice cubes at the bottom of this page. 

What Are Reusable Ice Cubes? How Do They Work?

The main benefit here is clear: no dilution. With regular ice, as it melts, it adds water to your drink, which can dilute the taste. Reusable ice cubes eliminate this problem, offering a consistent flavor from the first sip to the last.

However, there are considerations to keep in mind. Some people worry about the potential for chemicals to leach from plastic cubes into their drinks, though this risk is minimal with food-grade materials. Metal and stone cubes are generally safer in this regard but can be more expensive and may not cool a drink as quickly as frozen water.

In summary, reusable ice cubes are an efficient way to keep drinks cold without dilution. They work by absorbing heat from the beverage, thereby cooling it down without adding any extra water to the mix. Whether you choose plastic, metal, or stone cubes, they offer a practical alternative to traditional ice, with a few trade-offs to consider.

Types of Reusable Ice Cubes 

Here are the main types of reusable ice cubes with some information on whether I would recommend them.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel ice cubes are not only some of the coolest looking accessories for your drink but also among the most effective. These small, solid blocks conduct heat exceptionally well, allowing them to freeze quickly and chill your drink faster than other types. Compared to their plastic or silica gel counterparts, stainless steel cubes provide a more efficient cooling effect without diluting your beverage.

The advantage of their high conductivity means they can be smaller, leaving more room in your glass for the actual drink. This leads to a quickly cooled beverage and allows you to enjoy more of it without compromise.

Moreover, stainless steel is known for its durability and ease of maintenance. These cubes can last for years, are easy to clean, and, importantly, are safe to use—they don't leach chemicals into your drink. Their sleek design elevates the drinking experience, making them a stylish addition to cocktails or soft drinks.

Stainless steel ice cubes combine functionality with aesthetics, making them a superior choice for those who value both efficiency and style in their beverage accessories. Their practical benefits, alongside the assurance of safety and longevity, make them an indispensable tool for enthusiasts seeking the perfect chill without dilution.

Stone

If you're anything like me, you've probably noticed whiskey stones in stores or online and wondered about them. These stones, often made from various types of marble, are a stylish alternative to traditional ice cubes.

One thing that stands out to me is their ability to chill drinks without absorbing liquid—thanks to their highly polished surface. This feature is crucial because it means they won't harbor bacteria or mold, making them a safer option for repeated use.

What really catches my eye about these stone ice cubes is the range of colors they come in. It's fascinating how choosing the right color can complement your drink, adding a touch of elegance to your whiskey or any other beverage. Whether you're sipping on a dark or light drink, there's a whiskey stone that can match it, enhancing the visual appeal of your glass.

Plastic Ice Cubes

I've noticed that the most popular reusable ice cubes out there are the ones filled with distilled water. They're pretty versatile, coming in a variety of shapes that can add a fun twist to your drink.

The beauty of these cubes is in their simplicity: they freeze and then help cool your drink without watering it down. This is a game-changer for anyone who loves their beverages at the perfect temperature without compromising taste.

However, I must stress the importance of choosing BPA-free options for these plastic cubes. Not only is it better for your health, but it also ensures you're using a product that's safer for the environment. And if they're dishwasher safe, that's a bonus, making cleanup a breeze.

But here's a thought for those of us looking to make a more significant eco-impact: consider opting for chill rocks instead. While the plastic cubes are convenient, chill rocks offer a more sustainable way to keep your drinks cold without any plastic involved.

Silica Gel-Based 

Have you come across those silica-gel filled plastic ice cubes? I've seen them around and thought they seemed like a neat idea at first. However, after digging a bit deeper, I've grown cautious about recommending them. The reason? There's a significant health risk that comes into play.

The main issue with these types of cubes is their potential to get damaged and start leaking. And trust me, silica is not something you or your loved ones should be ingesting. Even though many of these products are made from BPA-free plastic and claim to be dishwasher safe, the risk of leakage remains. For me, it's a risk that's not worth taking, especially when it comes to the health and safety of family and friends.

How Safe Are Reusable Ice Cubes?

There are two ways to look at reusable ice cubes when you're trying to figure out how safe they are. 

Plastic Ice Cubes

There are two things you need to consider with plastic ice cubes. First of all, they should only contain non-BPA plastic. And secondly, stay away from the silica ones. 

Both silica and BPA are toxic if they leak into your drinks. And when you have these ice cubes in everyday use, then they can and will eventually crack and break. Now, they are not lethally toxic, but when you use them a lot, then those toxins will build up and can cause some serious health conditions. 

Solid Ice Cubes

As long as they are made either from a non-porous rock or you choose food-grade stainless steel ice cubes, you should have no risks to your health. If anything, these types of ice cubes could actually be a lot safer in many places around the world where drinking water isn't entirely safe. 

I generally prefer the stone ones as they tend to have a lower carbon footprint than steel, but I'll get into that shortly. 

Is There Any Environmental Benefit of Using Reusable Ice Cubes?

OK, the first thing I will say is that making a switch to reusable ice cubes isn't going to be the action that will save the planet. It's also not going to be a huge water saving since other areas of your home use infinitely more water. 

But, there are still some benefits to using regular ice cubes. 

Avoid The Use Of Plastic

I mentioned above that I wouldn’t recommend the plastic and silica reusable ice cubes to keep drinks cold. There's a health risk, but you should also be doing everything possible to reduce the amount of plastic in your home. 

So, by switching to stone or steel ice cubes, you can remove one more piece of plastic. 

Lower Carbon Footprint

Based on my research, the stone ice cubes seem to have the lowest carbon footprint. 

Here's my theory.

They do need to be cut to size, but they are usually made from cut-off pieces used in construction and home furnishings. The cutting process is far less energy-intensive than creating steel. And with steel, you have the added impact of iron ore mining. 

As I said, these things won't cause any kind of drastic change in the climate and environment, but it's still the right thing to do. 

Let's Talk About Cooling Efficiency 

This is an important part of choosing the right reusable ice cubes. And I'll just get into some basic physics to give you an idea of which type will help your drinks stay cold. 

How Long Does It Take To Cool Them?

If you have plastic reusable ice cubes, then they will take about the same amount of time as regular ones that you make in ice cube trays. Those trays are typically also made of plastic, which is not a good conductor of heat and cold. 

You can prove this by taking two water ice cubes and placing one on a steel plate or spoon and the other on a plastic plate. The one on the steel plate will melt a lot faster as there is more temperature exchange. 

The silica ice cubes that I said you should avoid will probably take less time to freeze, and on average, I'd say that a plastic one will take 2 to 3 hours.

In my experience, the steel ice cubes tend to cool down the fastest in the freezer and typically are ready in about 2 hours. The stone ones take a bit longer and sometimes over 3 hours.

How Long Do They Stay Cold?

I've tested out stone and steel reusable ice cubes and placed them in a cold drink. I made sure two glasses of water had the same temperature and then took out the ice cubes every ten minutes to measure the temperature. 

The stone ones seem to stay cool for longer, up to 30 minutes, while the steel ones last about 20 to 25 minutes. But that's technically a good thing, as you want your drink to be cold as soon as possible, right?

Do Certain Materials Work Better?

Yes, my experience is that steel reusable ice cubes are the most efficient because they are so temperature conductive. Plastic ice cubes seemed to be the least efficient as the plastic casing creates a small barrier for the temperature to cross. 

At the same time, the marble chilling stones that I have are a very close second and I prefer the look of them as well. 

How To Choose The Best Reusable Ice Cubes: Buyer's Guide

I've done quite a bit of trial and error testing with reusable ice cubes, and ultimately that has given me these four main areas that I think you need to focus on. 

Material 

So, the ones I've mentioned are plastic, steel, and stone. And it's important to understand the benefits they might have. 

Plastic ice cubes are probably the cheapest ones you'll find, but they also have certain health risks if they contain BPA and/or silica. I also found that they don't last all that long, and most aren't dishwasher safe. 

Steel is a great choice for reusable ice cubes, but they tend to be quite heavy. And the larger ones can be quite expensive too. 

The stone ones might be a bit slower to cool down than steel, but you can get them at a reasonable price, and they look great. 

Shape And Style

You'll find that the plastic reusable ice cubes come in the widest variety of shapes and colors. They often use fruit and animal shapes as I imagine that they are mainly marketed for children. But they still look great in a summer cocktail or long drink for a party with friends. 

With the steel and stone reusable ice cubes, I have found that they almost always come in cubes (surprise, surprise). But as they have become more popular, I have occasionally seen round and pyramid-shaped ones. 

What I haven't seen is shapes other than geometric ones, as I imagine that those shapes would be difficult and expensive to make. 

Size and Weight

OK, I generally prefer having metal and stone ice cubes that are about the same size as a regular ice cube you'd get out of a tray. This gives me more flexibility to adjust how many I might need depending on whether I want to cool down an already cold drink or one at room temperature. 

But you can get larger ones that are over one inch on each side, and they tend to stay cold for quite a bit longer. 

The other thing I would mention is that the stone and stainless steel cubes tend to be quite heavy, with the steel ones being the heaviest. That's why I don't use large stainless steel ones for my kids, as it does make the glass quite heavy. 

Health Factor

My experience is that the stainless steel ice cubes are the easiest to keep clean, just like your cutlery is. They also don't rust, so there really is no health issue to be concerned about. 

With the stone ones, you have to be a bit more careful to choose the right ones. One of the most common materials for these is marble, and they are polished and sealed. That means they won't absorb any liquids that could turn moldy and smelly. 

However, I would still recommend regularly cleaning them with a sanitary solution just to be on the safe side. 

And finally, there are the plastic and silica-filled ones. I would not recommend using these at all. They contain toxins that could build up in your body over time and cause health issues. I also found that they are often very small, making them a choking hazard for young kids. 

5 Best Reusable Ice Cubes

I've tested out all of these and ordered them to give you my favorite one first. 

1. PL ZMPWLQ Stainless Steel Ice Cubes

The rounded edges are important to avoid them causing chips on the inside of your glass. 

With eight in each pack, I ended up buying three of these for a family of six. It gives us plenty of them on a daily basis. 

This set also comes with a tray to keep them tidy, and a tong grips them more easily without dropping them before you get to the drink. 

2. DERGUAM 8 Packs Fast-Cooling 304 Stainless Steel Ice Cubes

Each one weighs about 1 ounce, and they chill in the freezer in about 2 1/2 hours. 

The company also supplies them with a convenient tray, which beats keeping them in a zip lock bag. And there's also a non-slip ice tong that helps you avoid that splash effect when you drop one into your drink. 

I've placed two of these in an 8-ounce glass of room temperature water, and the water was nice and cool within two minutes. 

3. Yawall Stainless Steel Metal Ice Cubes

I find they look particularly well in hurricane glasses, and I know some of my friends who like whiskey have favored these as well. 

It's a high-grade 304 stainless steel, which makes it suitable for any kind of food consumption utensils. It also means that they won't rust or tarnish. 

The only downside I found with this is that the tong is a bit awkward to grip the cubes. 

4. YOU+ Granite Rocks Bag Reusable Cooling Ice Cubes 

They are dark grey, which makes them stand out very nicely in your drink.

The chilling stones also have rounded edges and corners, which is important as I previously tried ones that ended up chipping and breaking glasses. 

I usually place three of these in my favorite drink, and they work very effectively to cool it down within about 90 seconds. The only thing I'm missing with them is a tray rather than a cloth bag that isn't suitable for the freezer. 

5. NIFTY5 Stainless Steel Diamond Shaped Reusable Metal Ice Cubes

The gold color makes them blend in especially well with whiskey, brandy, rum, and other alcoholic beverages.

And the diamond shape really makes them stand out a lot. 

They also come in a nice gift box that includes a tray and silicone grip tong to make it easier to put them in your glass without dropping them. 

FAQ

My Recommended Reusable Ice Cube