Waiting hours for ice cubes is a thing of the past, thanks to a nifty kitchen gadget that produces ice in minutes. The CASO Design Clear Ice Advanced Ice Cube Maker is a countertop appliance designed for home cocktail enthusiasts who want clear, slow-melting ice without freezer moulds.
How It Works
The ice cube maker produces both standard frosted ice and clear ice cubes in as little as eight minutes per cycle. It can generate 7.7 to 8.8 kilograms of ice per day, making it ideal for summer parties and gatherings. The appliance features a viewing window so users can check on their ice-making progress at a glance.
It is one of the easiest appliances to use, with only a few buttons on top to figure out. Two indicator lights on the control panel alert when the 1.5-litre water tank is empty or when the ice container is full. It also includes a self-cleaning function, a removable ice basket, and an ice scoop. The removable basket makes it easy to transfer ice cubes to a freezer bag, while the scoop is great for gatherings where guests can help themselves.
Performance and Usability
The clear ice cubes work incredibly well in all drinks, especially cocktails. Due to the denser freezing structure, they melt more slowly, preventing beverages from becoming watery. The appliance takes up little counter space and is easy to store in a cupboard. It costs an estimated 3 pence per hour to run and produces plenty of ice in that time.
While the speed of ice production is impressive, the ice basket could be larger. It fills up quickly, requiring frequent emptying to continue making ice cubes. This is not an issue for gatherings but can be inconvenient when trying to fill a freezer. Additionally, the first batch of ice cubes tends to be small, so it is best to discard them and use the second batch.
Where to Buy
The CASO Design Clear Ice Advanced Ice Cube Maker is available from retailers including Currys and Robert Dyas, both priced at £149. It is also available from Wilko.com and Debenhams, or directly from CASO Design with free delivery.
While an ice cube maker is a luxury, it is perfect for summer gatherings and does not take up freezer space, making it ideal for people with smaller freezers.
Customer Reviews
One review read: "Very satisfied on first use. I bought this primarily for my camper van on a trip to France, but I will use it at home too. While it does produce ice quite quickly, the first batches are thin and will melt faster. It's better to let the machine run and fill the basket. It pretty much looks after itself, which is great."
Another said: "I don't have a freezer and always want ice, so this is perfect. Looks nicer than most and does a good job. The second batch of ice is better than the first because it takes that long for the rods to cool properly. After that, the ice comes out much thicker and lasts longer."
Alternative Options
There are many ice cube makers on the market at various price points. The Cookworks 1.8L Ice Cube Maker from Argos is currently reduced to £96 from £120, with 200 five-star reviews and the ability to make small or large ice cubes. Argos also sells the CASO Design IceChef Compact Ice Cube Maker for £84.99, down from £120, which can make two ice cube sizes in as little as six minutes.
Currys offers the DAEWOO Ice Cube Maker for £89.99, which has raving reviews online. It self-cleans and features a portable design for easy movement between rooms. One review said: "Got this for a couple of parties and it did not disappoint. Excellent product." Another noted: "Three things to note about this ice maker: it's quiet, quick, and super cool."
