Ever struggled with messy ice trays or questionable ice from your freezer? Reusable ice cubes offer a cleaner, hassle-free way to keep your drinks cold—without the constant refilling and melting mess. Just freeze, use, wash, and repeat for an effortless chilling experience.
But why make the switch? Traditional ice cubes can absorb odors from your freezer, and let’s not even talk about the bacteria lurking in poorly maintained ice makers. With reusable ice cubes, you control the cleanliness, ensuring every sip stays fresh.
These sustainable alternatives come in materials like stainless steel, plastic, and even stone, each offering different cooling efficiencies. While some eco-conscious options like bamboo ice cubes exist, they may not be the best for durability.
Here’s something you might not have considered—your built-in ice machine drives up energy costs. By turning it off and using reusable ice cubes, you reduce your electricity bill and lower your carbon footprint. It’s an easy win for your wallet and the environment.
Ready to learn more? Let’s dive into how reusable ice cubes work, their benefits, and the best options for your lifestyle.
What Are Reusable Ice Cubes? How Do They Work?
What Are Reusable Ice Cubes?
Reusable ice cubes are non-melting, long-lasting ice alternatives designed to chill beverages without diluting their flavor. Unlike traditional ice cubes, which melt and water down drinks, reusable ice cubes are made from plastic, stainless steel, stone, or gel-filled shells that retain cold temperatures for extended periods.
These cubes contain either a freezable liquid (typically distilled water or food-safe gel) or are crafted from materials with high thermal conductivity that rapidly absorb heat. They are commonly used in cocktails, iced coffee, and soft drinks, where maintaining taste is essential.
Reusable ice cubes come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, each offering different cooling properties.
Plastic versions are lightweight and affordable, while stainless steel cubes provide longer chilling times. Whiskey stones, typically made from soapstone or granite, add a sophisticated touch while keeping drinks cold without overcooling them.
How Do Reusable Ice Cubes Work?
The science behind reusable ice cubes is simple: heat transfer. Instead of melting, they rely on thermal mass to absorb warmth from the liquid, lowering its temperature efficiently.
Here’s how they work:
- Freeze the cubes for several hours until they reach their optimal temperature.
- Drop them into your beverage, where they absorb heat, cooling the liquid without releasing excess water.
- After use, rinse, dry, and refreeze for repeated use—eliminating the need for single-use ice.
Why Choose Reusable Ice Cubes?
- Prevents dilution – Keeps drinks flavorful and crisp.
- Eco-friendly alternative – Reduces reliance on water-intensive ice production.
- Saves energy – No need for electricity-hungry ice makers.
- Convenience – No more refilling ice trays or dealing with clumpy frozen cubes.
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.
Stone Ice Cubes or Whiskey Stones
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.
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 Ice Cubes
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?
Are reusable ice cubes really safe? Let’s break it down simply and clearly.
When considering plastic ice cubes, there are two main safety points to keep in mind. First, ensure they are made from non-BPA plastic. BPA can leach into your drinks, posing health risks. Secondly, steer clear of cubes containing silica gel. Both silica and BPA have the potential to be toxic, especially if they leak into your drinks over time due to wear and tear.
Although these substances aren’t immediately lethal, regular exposure could accumulate in the body, potentially leading to health issues down the line. It’s something to think about, especially if you’re using these cubes daily.
On the safer side, we have ice cubes made from non-porous materials like stone or food-grade stainless steel. Not only do these materials pose no health risks, but they might even be a better choice in areas where the drinking water quality is questionable.
Personally, I lean towards stone ice cubes. They not only look good but also have a lower environmental impact compared to stainless steel. Plus, there’s something satisfying about clinking a natural stone in your glass—it feels earthy and authentic. So next time you’re looking to chill your drink, consider going the natural route for both safety and style.
Environmental Benefit of Using Reusable Ice Cubes
Switching to reusable ice cubes isn’t going to single-handedly save the planet, but it’s a small step in the right direction. Let’s face it, your shower probably guzzles more water in one go than your ice tray does in a week.
However, every little bit helps.
From a health perspective, I’ve already touched on why you might want to skip plastic and silica gel cubes. Beyond health, reducing plastic use is another compelling reason to consider alternatives.
By opting for stone or steel ice cubes, you’re not just chilling your drink; you’re cutting down on plastic—one fewer item at a time.
Now, let’s talk about the environmental footprint. In my journey to find the most eco-friendly option, stone ice cubes come out on top. Many are crafted from leftover material from construction or home furnishings, tapping into recycling in a smart way. The process of shaping these stones consumes less energy compared to manufacturing steel, which involves intensive iron ore mining.
Sure, swapping your ice cubes isn’t going to dramatically shift climate change, but it’s a simple, proactive choice we can all make. Plus, tossing a few stone cubes into a glass feels surprisingly good—like a small toast to doing our part for the earth.
Understanding Cooling Efficiency of Reusable Ice Cubes
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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, reusable ice cubes made of plastic with purified water will freeze. Those made of stone or stainless steel are solid by nature, but they will also drop in temperature to below freezing when placed in a freezer.
Yes, many people think whiskey stones are better than ice because they don’t dilute the whiskey. The stones also don’t have a smell or taste so you can enjoy the flavors in their natural form.
Yes, you have to clean reusable ice cubes. Stainless steel ones are the easiest to clean, as you can simply wash them with your dishes. It’s important to remove any residue from drinks to make sure they don’t get moldy or smelly.
You clean reusable ice cubes by washing them the same way you would with your cutlery. With the stone ones, you should probably scrub them with detergent or a hand wash to ensure there’s no residue left.
Most reusable ice cubes are made of stainless steel, stone, or plastic. Chilling stones tend to either come as granite or marble, which helps to avoid them soaking up any of the drinks you put them in.
Should You Get Reusable Ice Cubes?
If you love ice-cold drinks without the watered-down taste, then reusable ice cubes are a no-brainer. They’re convenient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly, helping you cut down on ice tray refills and unnecessary energy use.
Since switching to reusable ice cubes, my family enjoys perfectly chilled drinks without dilution. Plus, they’ve become a conversation starter whenever friends visit!
Whether you want to preserve the flavor of your cocktails, keep your iced coffee strong, or simply reduce waste, reusable ice cubes are a smart upgrade for any household. Give them a try—you might never go back to regular ice again!
