Ice crushers + How to choose?

Mixed drinks often cannot do without ice cubes or ice chips. Ice chips are also a delicacy that children in particular love. In the shops, you will also come across special ice shavings makers, but many are deterred from buying this machine by the high purchase price. Ice crushers however, are relatively affordable and simple devices that crush ice very quickly and easily.

Ice crushers take many forms, and are available in simple manual and more complex electric forms. The different varieties differ not only in the way they are used, but also in their purchase price. So before choosing a crusher, consider who will be using the crusher and how often.

Types

Ice crushers are available in several forms. The difference is in the way the device is used.

Electric crushers

An electric ice crusher makes crushing ice cubes easier. It is a relatively small but very practical device that prepares ice chips at the touch of a button. You will be able to crush several cubes at once. The power of the crusher determines how much it can crush. Electric crushers also quite often allow you to adjust the coarseness of the ice.

Manual ice crusher

Manual crushers can kind of resemble a classic manual grinder. Using a simple mechanism, you attach the crusher to the table top and crush by turning the crank. Manual crushers are cheaper, but offer no features and are more laborious and time-consuming to work with. Those who will only make ice chips occasionally can comfortably get by with these machines.

Mixers with ice crushing function

You can also crush ice with a tabletop or stick blender. However, any blender cannot be used. Only sufficiently powerful mixers can crush ice. Less powerful ones can’t handle ice cubes and, in the worst case, you can damage the blender.

Wattage

The most important parameter to look for in electric shredders is the power consumption. This determines how much ice the machine will be able to crush, and how long you will be able to use it without it overheating.

The cheapest crushers have a wattage of less than 100 watts and are more suitable for occasional and short-term use. A good quality shredder should have an input of between 100 and 300 W. Professional shredders are much more powerful, with an input starting at 400 W.

Container capacity

Another parameter to consider when making a selection is the capacity of the ice container. The smallest machines have a capacity of around 1 litre. For a larger family, an appliance with a container capacity of 1.5 to 3 litres is suitable. Larger professional machines have containers with a capacity of 8 litres or more.

When choosing a size, think about where you will store the appliance and how much space you can allocate for it. Often, smaller crushers will do the trick, as you can empty a full container in a short while and then resume crushing ice.

Material

Ice crushers do not differ significantly from other kitchen aids in terms of manufacturing material. As a rule, stainless steel, plastic or a combination of both materials is used for their manufacture.

The manufacturing material affects the purchase price and the life of the apparatus. Stainless steel devices are generally more expensive, but a cheaper plastic shredder will suffice for normal use. Well-known manufacturers use very durable plastic that can withstand less gentle handling.

More important than the packaging, however, is the manufacturing material of the chopping knives. These should in all cases be made of high quality stainless steel.

Features

Ice crushers are very simple devices and do not offer many specific features. An ice crusher may only allow you to adjust the coarseness of the ice, but you only have 2 choices. Some crushers have a cooling function, so the crushed ice will last for some time. Anti-slip feet and an overheating safety feature ensure your safety.

Brand

Ice crushers are not very popular at the moment, many people don’t even know that they can get an ice crusher. As a result, you will only find a smaller number of products. Ice crushers can be bought from brands such as Hendi, Gastroblock, Princess, PGX, Beper, Clatronic or even Contacto. The individual products differ mainly in appearance and performance. Although the range of ice crushers is not very large, you can choose from several different forms. White or stainless steel shredders predominate, but you can also buy a coloured version.

Questions and Answers

What can an ice crusher be used for?

Crushed ice is mainly used to make iced or blended drinks. However, you can also use it to prepare desserts or sorbets. Ice chips can also be used to preserve cold foods such as fish or salads for longer periods of time.

Can ice chips be prepared without a shredder?

Ice crushers are not well known devices. Those who do not have a crusher can make ice chips simply with a kitchen hammer or mallet. The ice cubes are simply packed into a kitchen container and then smashed. However, this is a fairly complicated and noisy preparation that you probably won’t want to do too often. The other option is to buy crushed ice.

What is a 2in1 ice crusher?

You can use this electric machine as both an ice crusher and an ice chip maker. Unlike professional ice chip makers, it is affordable and can be afforded by virtually everyone. The other option is to get a device that crushes ice and you will be able to use it as a classic chopper for various ingredients. It’s up to you which product you prefer.

Conclusion

Ice crushers are most useful during the summer months. However, some people may use an ice crusher year-round. You can use the crushed ice to make alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages or iced coffee.

Unlike ice cubes, ice chips melt almost instantly and you can enjoy a perfectly refreshing drink. When choosing a shredder, consider how many people and how often you will be preparing the shavings. Accordingly, buy a manual or electric shredder. In the case of electric shredders, focus on performance and some practical features.

Similar article you might be interested in

How do you like this article? Did it help you?