Ice cubes from the standard tray in my freezer always seemed to melt in about five minutes. I hated how my iced coffee turned into watery bean juice before I was even halfway finished with the cup. When I started looking for a solution, I found this 4/6/8/Grid Big Ice Tray Mold Box.
This piece covers my 4/6/8/Grid Big Ice Tray Mold Box Large Food Grade Silicone Ice Cube Square Tray Mold Pub Wine Ice Blocks Maker Model review. I bought one to see if these massive blocks actually kept drinks colder for longer.
What is this ice tray?
The product is a silicone mold designed to make extra-large ice cubes. You can pick between four, six, or eight grid layouts depending on how much freezer space you have. It is definitely a budget-friendly way to upgrade your home bar setup.
Most of these sellers offer free shipping, which is great because these molds can be bulky to ship from overseas. The silicone is flexible, so you are not fighting a hard plastic tray that cracks when you try to twist it.
Why big ice matters
The main reason to use these large blocks is the surface area. A giant square of ice melts much slower than a dozen tiny cubes. This means your whiskey or soda stays cold without getting diluted by melted water.
These molds are also great for making fancy drinks at home. If you add a slice of fruit or a mint leaf inside the mold before freezing, the result looks professional. It makes a normal Tuesday night drink feel a bit more special.
Features that actually matter
The food grade silicone is the best part of this design. It feels thick and does not have that weird chemical smell some cheap plastic trays have. Because the material is soft, the cubes pop out with just a little push from the bottom.
Cleaning these is very simple since they are dishwasher safe. I usually just give them a quick rinse in the sink with warm soapy water and let them air dry. They do not take up much room, and the square shape makes them easy to stack if you buy more than one.
Honest pros and cons
Buying gear from overseas sites comes with its own set of realities. Here is what I found after using the product for a few months.
- Pros
- The large cubes really do last much longer in a glass.
- Silicone makes popping the ice out very easy.
- It is a very cheap upgrade for your kitchen.
- Free shipping makes the price even better.
- Cons
- Shipping can take a few weeks to arrive at your door.
- You need to leave enough room in your freezer for a flat surface.
- There is no local warranty if the silicone happens to tear.
- Filling the tray can be messy if you carry it to the freezer while it is full.
Who should buy this?
If you enjoy sipping on cold drinks and hate watery beverages, you will love these. They are perfect for people who like to host friends or just want a better experience with their evening cocktail. It is also a smart buy for anyone who likes to prep things in advance.
You should probably skip this if you have a tiny freezer that is already overflowing. You also need to be a patient person since shipping from AliExpress is never as fast as big local retailers. If you expect two-day delivery, you will be disappointed.
What buyers are saying
People generally like the simplicity of the mold. One person mentioned that they use it to freeze large portions of coffee so they can make iced lattes in the morning without watering them down. Another user noted that they bought the 8-grid version and it fits perfectly in their freezer drawer.
Most of the complaints I read were about waiting for the package to show up. A few people mentioned that you have to be careful when moving the tray to the freezer because the silicone is flexible and can spill if you are not steady. Everyone seems to agree that the cubes themselves are satisfying to use.
Final verdict
This is a solid purchase if you want a cheap way to improve your drink game. I use mine almost every single day, and it has held up well against the cold. It is not a complicated piece of tech, but it does exactly what it promises to do.
If you are okay with waiting a bit for shipping and don't mind a little bit of a learning curve when filling the tray, it is worth the cost. Just make sure you measure your freezer shelf first. I am happy with my purchase and plan to buy a second one so I never run out of big ice.