One of the latest trends in the beverage scene is using metal ice cubes rather than traditional frozen water cubes. So, why are so many people such big fans? What are the advantages of metal ice cubes vs. ice cubes? Do metal ice cubes deliver better results and are they worth buying? Let’s find out!
Advantages of Metal Ice Cubes
What’s Better for You and Better for the Planet?
Metal ice cubes are made of high-quality, food-grade stainless steel and have several advantages over ice. They wash clean easily with soap and water, and you can place them in the freezer in a Tupperware or freezer bag – there’s none of that business of delicately balancing an ice tray on top of everything else only to have it spill and tip water everywhere!
Due to the materials they are composed of, they are hygienic, incredibly durable and can’t be contaminated as water can. They’re toxin-free, BPA-free, lead-free, aluminum-free and plastic-free, making them the perfect choice for anyone who is health-conscious.
In addition, if you’re trying to live a greener and more eco-friendly life, metal ice cubes are a great option. They last forever and don’t require the plastic trays and bags that traditional ice cubes do, allowing you to lower your plastic use and water use without sacrificing your lifestyle.
Metal Ice Cubes Mean You Don’t Miss Out on Flavor
One of the greatest advantages of metal ice cubes over traditional ice cubes is they don’t water down your drink! This makes them ideal for those of us who enjoy spirits, cocktails and liquor in their full, true flavors.
Another advantage is that they offer greater temperature control for the drinker, as you can add exactly the right number of cubes to drop the temperature of the drink by a precise amount – there aren’t any chips, odd-sized blocks or half-melted ice cubes to deal with.
They can also be used in hot drinks to bring the temperature down without affecting the flavor of the beverage, making them perfect for bringing herbal tea and coffee or even soup down to a drinkable temperature.
Cooling Times and Duration – Are Metal Ice Cubes Better?
The main purpose of ice cubes, whether they’re made of metal or water, is that they cool your drink quickly and keep it cool while you’re enjoying it. So, what type of ice cube does the job better?
First of all, you have to get the ice cubes ready. The metal ice cubes will be frozen and ready to use in just 2-4 hours, while traditional ice cubes will take a bit longer (especially if you have larger ice cubes) at around 5-6 hours.
A drink at normal room temperature of about 70 degrees will chill quickly and to a very low temperature if you are using large ice cubes and will reach a cool 50 degrees for a longer period of time with metal ice cubes. Of course, the ice will start melting immediately as it cools your drink, so you can expect a more watery taste within a few minutes – especially if it’s a hot summer’s day.
The freezing temperatures you get from traditional ice cubes aren’t ideal if you have sensitive teeth or enjoy fine spirits. If whiskey gets below 45 degrees, for example, your taste buds will be too cold to detect more delicate flavors and subtle notes of the drink. In fact, this was one of the primary reasons why metal ice cubes were first designed and manufactured!
Are There Any Disadvantages to Metal Ice Cubes?
The only disadvantage to metal ice cubes is that it costs more to buy them than the simple plastic trays for traditional ice cubes, and water is relatively cheap for ice-making. However, the cost of metal ice cubes has decreased significantly over the last few years and is very low when you consider the cost of an ice-making machine or fridge with an ice-maker. Because a set of metal ice cubes will last a lifetime and can be used and reused without any deterioration, they’re absolutely worth the initial cost and you’ll work that off very quickly over the long-term!
In the end, choosing between metal ice cubes and traditional ice cubes is a personal choice, but the advantages of metal ice cubes make them ideal if you hate watered down drinks, love whiskey