Ice Cube Trays - A Primer
I needed two new ice cube trays. It is summer after all. Seeing as I was out doing laundry anyway, I decided to go to the local Walmart after I put the clothes in the dryer. I knew I would need the additional time to compare the different trays available. This is where you likely shake your head and question my sanity. You may even think that all ice cube trays are the same. Please allow me to disabuse you of this fallacy. I have stringent criteria for purchasing an ice cube tray and I am going to use this opportunity to explain that criteria.
Price. Obviously. Spending more that $3 to $4 dollars for a single ice cube tray makes zero sense to me. I have seen ones on sale for $7 and even $8. Why? What features could that extra money possibly provide? In recent years I would say that the average amount I spend per tray is roughly $2.50. Inflation has even hit the ice cube tray market.
Volume of ice produced. Most standard trays will produce between 12 and 16 ice cubes per freeze. 12 cube trays obviously produce slightly larger cubes, making them perfect for whiskey on the rocks or lemonade. The 16 cube tray, on the other hand, gives you a size of cube perfect for adding to pitchers and bottles.
Material. the majority of ice cube trays sold at big box stores and online are plastic. So, there is a standardized element there. You cannot simply look at the plastic tray and think “oh, it’s plastic. These are the same.” I recommend that you get a feel for the twistability (it’s a word in this context) of the tray. Is it easy to release the cubes? This brings me to a sidebar. In the freezer at my job, we have four ice cube trays that have snap on lids similar to the ones on your Tupperware. I am not a fan of these trays as they destroy the cubes when you release the ice. Look, I like chewy ice for my sweet tea, so a pre-broken ice cube is useful to me for that particular drink. At home I want a fully formed cube for my bourbon on the rocks. I do not know if it is that particular brand of tray or if the lid somehow makes the ice more brittle so I avoid that style.
Size of the tray in relation to actual ice producing area. Okay, bear with me. The singular job of an ice cube tray is to make ice. The more ice per tray, the more value. We have discussed the difference between 12 and 16 cube trays. Consider though, your freezer space. How much past the cube freezing are does the plastic extend. If there is too much extraneous plastic, it takes up valuable space in your freezer that could otherwise be used by other items.
It may seem a bit odd to you, and maybe a bit “cheap” to spend so much time comparing ice cube trays, but rest assured it is a wise move. We spend time to compare large purchases, why not be fiscally responsible in all purchasing decisions?