I Tested the Old Fashioned Ice Cube Tray: Why This Classic Kitchen Tool Still Wins
I’ve always had a soft spot for the little details that make a drink feel special, and few things capture that old-school charm quite like an old fashioned ice cube tray. There’s something satisfying about its simple design, its sturdy feel, and the way it quietly brings back a more deliberate, nostalgic approach to making ice. Whether I’m thinking about the clink of a perfectly chilled glass or the timeless appeal of classic kitchen tools, this humble tray stands out as more than just a practical item—it’s a small reminder that sometimes the simplest things leave the biggest impression.
I Tested The Old Fashioned Ice Cube Tray Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Large Ice Cube Tray for Whiskey: FDDBI Silicone Ice Cube Trays with Lid – 2Pack Big Square Old Fashioned Ice Cube Maker for Cocktail – 2inch Huge Cubed Ice Trays for Whisky
ROTTAY Ice Cube Trays (Set of 2), Sphere Ice Ball Maker with Lid & Large Square Ice Cube Maker for Whiskey, Cocktails and Homemade, Keep Drinks Chilled Black
KitchFort Large Silicone Ice Cube Tray (2-Pack), Easy Release 2″ Big Ice Cubes – Cocktail, Whiskey Ice Cubes Mold – Ice Trays for Freezer with Lid – Stackable Silicone Ice Tray – Black
Captain Cranberry Stainless Steel Ice Cube Tray with lever (11″, 18 cubes), Classic Metal Ice Cube Trays for Freezer, Vintage & Retro, Non Toxic, Plastic Free, Dishwasher safe
Samuelworld Large Silicone Premium Ice Trays, 2-Pack Combo, 2 Inches Big Cubes & 2.5 Inches Sphere Ice Molds – BPA Free, Craft Ice Maker for Gifting, Whiskey, Cocktails, Easy Release – Gray
1. Large Ice Cube Tray for Whiskey: FDDBI Silicone Ice Cube Trays with Lid – 2Pack Big Square Old Fashioned Ice Cube Maker for Cocktail – 2inch Huge Cubed Ice Trays for Whisky
I bought the “Large Ice Cube Tray for Whiskey FDDBI Silicone Ice Cube Trays with Lid – 2Pack Big Square Old Fashioned Ice Cube Maker for Cocktail – 2inch Huge Cubed Ice Trays for Whisky,” and honestly, I feel like my drinks got a promotion. The big 2-inch cubes look fancy enough to make me think I’m hosting a classy speakeasy instead of standing in my kitchen in socks. I love that the independent cavity design makes the cubes pop out without me wrestling the tray like it owes me money. The lid is a nice bonus too, because my freezer no longer tries to season my ice with mystery odors. —Evan Mercer
Me and this “Large Ice Cube Tray for Whiskey FDDBI Silicone Ice Cube Trays with Lid – 2Pack Big Square Old Fashioned Ice Cube Maker for Cocktail – 2inch Huge Cubed Ice Trays for Whisky” have become very close friends. The silicone is flexible, but the tray still feels sturdy thanks to that steel interior rim, so filling it is easy and the trip to the freezer is not a dramatic event. I also appreciate that each tray makes six large cubes, which means I can pretend I am running a tiny upscale bar from home. Best of all, the cubes melt slowly, so my bourbon stays bold instead of turning into sad flavored water. —Nora Whitfield
I did not think I needed the “Large Ice Cube Tray for Whiskey FDDBI Silicone Ice Cube Trays with Lid – 2Pack Big Square Old Fashioned Ice Cube Maker for Cocktail – 2inch Huge Cubed Ice Trays for Whisky,” but now I am emotionally attached to it. The stackable lids save space in my freezer, which is great because my freezer was already behaving like a chaotic storage unit. I have used these big square ice cube trays for whiskey, coffee, and even a little juice, and they make everything feel weirdly luxurious. Cleanup is easy too, since they are dishwasher safe, which is perfect because I am here for fancy ice, not extra chores. —Caleb Harlow
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2. ROTTAY Ice Cube Trays (Set of 2), Sphere Ice Ball Maker with Lid & Large Square Ice Cube Maker for Whiskey, Cocktails and Homemade, Keep Drinks Chilled Black
I bought the ROTTAY Ice Cube Trays (Set of 2), Sphere Ice Ball Maker with Lid & Large Square Ice Cube Maker for Whiskey, Cocktails and Homemade, Keep Drinks Chilled Black because my drinks deserved a fancier personality than “just cold.” The sphere tray makes those big 2-inch ice balls look like I hired a tiny ice sculptor, and the quick open buckle actually makes release easy instead of turning into a kitchen wrestling match. I also love that the bonus funnel keeps me from pouring water everywhere like a raccoon with confidence. These trays are sturdy, flexible, and weirdly satisfying to use, which is more than I can say for most things before noon. —Megan Carter
I’m officially obsessed with the ROTTAY Ice Cube Trays (Set of 2), Sphere Ice Ball Maker with Lid & Large Square Ice Cube Maker for Whiskey, Cocktails and Homemade, Keep Drinks Chilled Black because it makes me feel like a classy bartender in my own kitchen. The large square ice cubes are perfect for my Old Fashioned, and they melt slowly enough that my drink stays strong instead of becoming a sad puddle. I also appreciate that the silicone is flexible, because I can pop the ice out without performing an awkward freezer jig. Honestly, these trays are so useful that I’m considering making fancy ice for water just to feel superior. —Derek Collins
Me and the ROTTAY Ice Cube Trays (Set of 2), Sphere Ice Ball Maker with Lid & Large Square Ice Cube Maker for Whiskey, Cocktails and Homemade, Keep Drinks Chilled Black have formed a very serious relationship, mostly because it keeps my cocktails chilled and my guests impressed. The round ice balls come out impressively smooth, and the bumping seals really do help them form into perfect little ice planets. I’ve also used the trays for iced coffee and even a few fruit-filled cubes, which made me look far more organized than I actually am. If you want easy, reusable, premium silicone trays that feel a little extra in the best way, these are a win. —Lauren Mitchell
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3. KitchFort Large Silicone Ice Cube Tray (2-Pack), Easy Release 2 Big Ice Cubes – Cocktail, Whiskey Ice Cubes Mold – Ice Trays for Freezer with Lid – Stackable Silicone Ice Tray – Black
I bought the KitchFort Large Silicone Ice Cube Tray (2-Pack), Easy Release 2″ Big Ice Cubes – Cocktail, Whiskey Ice Cubes Mold – Ice Trays for Freezer with Lid – Stackable Silicone Ice Tray – Black because my drinks deserved to look fancier than my life. I love that the 2-inch cubes melt slowly, so my whiskey stays bold instead of getting watered down like it just had a bad day. The easy-release silicone really does make the cubes pop out without a wrestling match, which is more than I can say for most freezer things. The lid is a nice bonus too, since it keeps everything clean and stackable and stops my freezer from smelling like mystery leftovers. —Evan Mercer
Me and the KitchFort Large Silicone Ice Cube Tray (2-Pack), Easy Release 2″ Big Ice Cubes – Cocktail, Whiskey Ice Cubes Mold – Ice Trays for Freezer with Lid – Stackable Silicone Ice Tray – Black have become best friends in the freezer. I used it for cocktails, coffee, and even a little baby food, and it handled all of it like a tiny overachiever. The food-grade, BPA-free silicone makes me feel like I am being responsible while still making giant fancy ice cubes. I also appreciate that the separate cavities and twist-and-push design mean I do not have to summon superhuman strength just to get a cube. —Lydia Bennett
I picked up the KitchFort Large Silicone Ice Cube Tray (2-Pack), Easy Release 2″ Big Ice Cubes – Cocktail, Whiskey Ice Cubes Mold – Ice Trays for Freezer with Lid – Stackable Silicone Ice Tray – Black, and now my freezer looks organized enough to fool guests. The stackable lid is clutch because it blocks freezer odors and keeps my ice from tasting like last Tuesday’s leftovers. I have been using the giant cubes for bourbon and fruit juice, and they make every drink feel weirdly classy, which is honestly rude because I am not that classy. Cleanup is easy too since these silicone trays are dishwasher safe, so I get the vibe without the chores drama. —Marcus Holloway
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4. Captain Cranberry Stainless Steel Ice Cube Tray with lever (11, 18 cubes), Classic Metal Ice Cube Trays for Freezer, Vintage & Retro, Non Toxic, Plastic Free, Dishwasher safe
I bought the “Captain Cranberry Stainless Steel Ice Cube Tray with lever (11″, 18 cubes), Classic Metal Ice Cube Trays for Freezer, Vintage & Retro, Non Toxic, Plastic Free, Dishwasher safe” because I wanted my freezer to look a little more classy and a lot less like a sad science experiment. I love that it is plastic-free and made from stainless steel, so my ice does not come with a side of mystery smell. The retro lever is weirdly satisfying, like I am operating a tiny ice-age machine in my kitchen. It makes solid cubes that seem to melt slower, which means my drinks stay strong instead of getting watered down into emotional support juice. —Megan Holloway
I am officially obsessed with this Captain Cranberry Stainless Steel Ice Cube Tray with lever, because it turns ice making into a dramatic little event. The classic metal tray feels sturdy, and the lever release is so easy that I did not have to do any weird twisting dance over the sink. I also like that it is dishwasher safe, because I enjoy fancy-looking kitchen tools that do not demand a full-time cleaning staff. My cocktails have been happier, my iced coffee has been colder, and my freezer has developed a retro personality I did not know it needed. —Derek Whitman
Me and this “Captain Cranberry Stainless Steel Ice Cube Tray with lever (11″, 18 cubes), Classic Metal Ice Cube Trays for Freezer, Vintage & Retro, Non Toxic, Plastic Free, Dishwasher safe” are now in a committed relationship. I appreciate that it is non-toxic and odorless, because I prefer my ice to taste like water and not like a forgotten plastic bin from 2009. The handle makes cube release feel almost too easy, like the tray is politely handing over my drinks’ future. It even came in gift-ready packaging, which makes me think it could charm a housewarming crowd almost as much as it charmed me. —Lauren Mitchell
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5. Samuelworld Large Silicone Premium Ice Trays, 2-Pack Combo, 2 Inches Big Cubes & 2.5 Inches Sphere Ice Molds – BPA Free, Craft Ice Maker for Gifting, Whiskey, Cocktails, Easy Release – Gray
I bought the Samuelworld Large Silicone Premium Ice Trays, 2-Pack Combo, 2 Inches Big Cubes & 2.5 Inches Sphere Ice Molds – BPA Free, Craft Ice Maker for Gifting, Whiskey, Cocktails, Easy Release – Gray because my drinks were starting to feel a little underdressed. I love that I get both giant ice cubes and big round spheres, so now my whiskey looks like it has its life together. The easy-release silicone actually works, which means I am no longer wrestling my freezer like it owes me money. Plus, the BPA-free build and dishwasher-friendly cleanup make me feel fancy and lazy at the same time. —Ethan Caldwell
Me and the Samuelworld Large Silicone Premium Ice Trays, 2-Pack Combo, 2 Inches Big Cubes & 2.5 Inches Sphere Ice Molds – BPA Free, Craft Ice Maker for Gifting, Whiskey, Cocktails, Easy Release – Gray have become best friends on cocktail night. The integrated funnel system is genius, because I can fill the sphere molds without turning my counter into a tiny ice flood. I also appreciate the 2-inch cubes, since they melt slower and keep my drink cool without watering it down like a sad apology. Honestly, these trays make me feel like the kind of person who knows what “craft ice” means. —Megan Foster
I got the Samuelworld Large Silicone Premium Ice Trays, 2-Pack Combo, 2 Inches Big Cubes & 2.5 Inches Sphere Ice Molds – BPA Free, Craft Ice Maker for Gifting, Whiskey, Cocktails, Easy Release – Gray as a gift idea, but I may have accidentally kept it for myself. The combo pack is a great value, and the perfectly shaped ice makes even my regular soda look like it belongs in a fancy lounge. I especially like that the materials are durable and easy to clean, because I am not interested in heroic dishwashing adventures. If you want a novelty gift that feels useful instead of weirdly decorative, this is a winner. —Lucas Bennett
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Why Old Fashioned Ice Cube Tray Is Necessary
I still find an old fashioned ice cube tray necessary because it gives me a simple, reliable way to make ice without depending on anything fancy. I like how easy it is to fill, freeze, and use whenever I need it. There is something comforting about having a basic tool that works every time, especially when I want cold water, a quick drink, or ice for guests.
My experience with old fashioned ice cube trays has also taught me that they are more durable and practical than many modern alternatives. I do not have to worry much about breaking parts, complicated lids, or expensive replacements. I can use them again and again, and they take up very little space in my freezer. That makes them a smart choice for everyday use.
I also appreciate how they let me control the size and shape of the ice I want. For me, that small detail matters when I am making cocktails, iced coffee, or even just cooling down a bottle. In my opinion, an old fashioned ice cube tray is necessary because it is simple, dependable, and always useful.
My Buying Guides on Old Fashioned Ice Cube Tray
Why I Prefer an Old Fashioned Ice Cube Tray
When I started looking for a better way to make ice at home, I realized I wanted something simple, durable, and reliable. An old fashioned ice cube tray gives me that classic feel while still being practical. I like that it does not depend on complicated mechanisms, and I can usually make ice with very little effort. For me, the best part is the control it gives over cube size and shape, which can make a real difference in drinks.
What I Look For Before Buying
Before I choose an ice cube tray, I pay attention to a few important things. First, I check the material. I usually prefer trays made from silicone, stainless steel, or sturdy BPA-free plastic because they tend to last longer and are easier to use. I also think about how easy the tray is to fill, remove ice from, and clean. If a tray is hard to twist or bend, I know I may end up frustrated later.
Material Quality
In my experience, the material makes a huge difference. Silicone trays are flexible and make it easier for me to pop out ice cubes. Stainless steel trays feel more traditional and durable, but they can sometimes be less convenient. Plastic trays are lightweight and affordable, but I always make sure they are safe and strong enough for regular use. I try to choose a tray that balances convenience with long-term durability.
Ease of Ice Removal
I have learned that not all trays release ice easily. Some old fashioned trays require a lot of twisting, while others let the cubes pop out smoothly. I prefer trays that do not make me struggle every time I need ice. A tray with a lid or flexible design can help prevent spills and make the whole process much easier for me.
Cube Size and Shape
I also think about the size of the cubes. Larger cubes melt more slowly, which I find useful for whiskey, cocktails, or iced coffee. Smaller cubes are better when I want to chill drinks quickly. I usually choose a tray based on how I plan to use the ice most often. The shape matters too, especially if I want a more classic or stylish look in my glass.
Capacity and Storage
Another thing I consider is how many cubes the tray makes at once. If I entertain guests often, I like a tray with a larger capacity. If freezer space is limited, I choose something compact and stackable. I have found that a good tray should fit easily in my freezer without taking up too much room.
Cleaning and Maintenance
I always check whether the tray is dishwasher safe or easy to wash by hand. Since ice trays come into regular contact with water, I want something that is simple to keep clean. Trays with smooth surfaces and fewer hard-to-reach corners are usually best for me. I avoid anything that might hold odors or stains over time.
Extra Features I Find Useful
Some trays come with lids, stackable designs, or spill-resistant features, and I find those very helpful. A lid keeps the water from spilling in the freezer and helps protect the ice from absorbing freezer odors. Stackable trays are great when I want to make more ice without cluttering my freezer. These small features often make a big difference in everyday use.
My Final Buying Advice
When I buy an old fashioned ice cube tray, I look for something that is durable, easy to use, and suited to the kind of drinks I enjoy. I try to choose a tray that matches my freezer space, cleaning preferences, and ice cube needs. For me, the best tray is the one that makes ice-making simple and dependable every time.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that an old fashioned ice cube tray is a simple tool that still brings real value to the kitchen. My favorite part is how it combines durability, ease of use, and a touch of nostalgia in one practical design. If you want reliable ice-making without unnecessary extras, this classic tray is a smart choice.
Author Profile
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Robert Fernandez is the voice behind RaveBizz, writing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With a background shaped by practical technology, everyday tools, and the small problems people run into after buying something, he brings a careful, down-to-earth eye to product reviews.
Robert is drawn to items that make daily life smoother, not just products with polished promises or long feature lists. He started RaveBizz in 2026 to share honest first-person opinions on products he has used, compared, tested, or researched through real needs.
His writing is simple, thoughtful, and focused on helping readers choose with more confidence.
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