Where to find ice trays

[Anon001]

I am sick and tired of my blue plastic ice trays that won't last but a few months at a time. *

Does anyone know where I might find the old fashioned metal ice trays that had the lever in the center? *

I have a buddy that has several but thinks he doesn't want to share, give, barter or trade for them! LOL

Paul


Edited for : typos

[Anon001]

I shoulda thought about "googling" before posting here. They are more readily available than I thought.

[CanNerd]

I haven't seen the metal ones for years and I hated those. I 'love' the plastic ice trays and I'm really curious why yours aren't lasting. I've been using the same ones for years and they haven't failed me yet. Perhaps you are twisting them too hard.

[Anon001]

that could be.... are you insinuating that I'm too rough on my little plastic ice trays? LOL hmm.... that could be, but it seems the ice won't come out otherwise.... I had some metal trays years ago and really liked them. I just can't remember if they stack or not... And I can't believe the prices for new ones WOW....

So, if you don't twist yours hard, how do you get the ice to pop out?

[CarolAnn]

Paul - just run a bit of water across the back of the tray before you twist it. The problem then becomes the ice falling out before you're ready for it!
;)

[Anon001]

Carol Ann... you're assuming I have running water! LOL Actually, I do, but I catch rainwater and doing that would be a waste of water..... (note to self: what other excuses can I conjure?)

[ladystar317]

Hi,

I can usually find them at garage sales/rummage sales, and I bet Lehman's would carry them, too!

As fer the plastic ones, we've had ours for 9 years now, and they're still going strong. My secret? I grip one end to one side with my left hand, near the other end on the opposite side with my right, then twist.

Since you don't have running water, can you make a hot water bottle or use a heating pad?

Blessings... luv, Jessie

[12vman]

Patience is a virtue.. No haste, no waste..

I just let them set for 5 min. or so and they practically fall out.

[Anon001]

hmm.... Maybe I should give them another try since they are so cheap compared to the metal ones I've found......

My secret? I grip one end to one side with my left hand, near the other end on the opposite side with my right, then twist.

And here I was trying to bend them, not twist. LOL..... Thanks Jessie. Actually, I do twist but I just need to let them set out a couple minutes so that I don't have to twist so hard. lol

[snuffy]

I bought eight trays (plastic) at Big Lots about two years ago and am still using them. I found out accidently that if you let the ice freeze in a very cold freezer for at least two days, they will pop out with very little effort. The trays are a blue plastic, not anything special but I don't force the ice out either. Hope this helps someone.

Snuffy

[GoodDaughter]

I bought a few of the old metal ones with the lever in the middle at the flea market a couple of years ago, and I won't use plastic ones again. I paid about three dollars apiece for them. Mine do stack up.

[Anon001]

I found some on eBay for 1.99... so I am watching them lol. I like the old metal ones.

[EarthMama]

that could be.... are you insinuating that I'm too rough on my little plastic ice trays? LOL * hmm.... that could be, but it seems the ice won't come out otherwise.... I had some metal trays years ago and really liked them. *I just can't remember if they stack or not... *And I can't believe the prices for new ones *WOW....

So, if you don't twist yours hard, how do you get the ice to pop out?


Paul, I don't like the cheapo blue ones from Wally's World but I do love my heavy sturdy ones that came with my refrigerator. Maybe you could stop by an appliance store (hopefully a mom & pop-type appliance store) and see if you can buy a few from them. I'll bet they'd sell em to you cheap. They might even have some old metal ones, like you're talking about, hanging around from some traded-in old refrigerators. It would be worth a look anyhow.

Good luck.

[Anon001]

Thanks for the suggestion, but I found some metal ones one eBay cheap.

[EarthMama]

Thanks for the suggestion, but I found some metal ones one eBay cheap.

Great!! I'm glad you found them, Paul. :)

[GoldenCityMuse]

Another trick to make the plastic ones come out easy is to not overfill the tray. The ice expands more than you realize, so only fill the plastic tray 2/3 full & let freeze. And yes, letting them sit out even a minute or 2 makes it much easier.

[nhlivefreeordie]

Rubbermaid makes a serious heavy duty plastic tray that will last forever, greatly over-engineered for a simple product, they drop the ice easy too.

[Faye]

I also have the heavy rubbermaid trays and don't have any problem getting the ice out. Just a twist and it falls out. Those blue ones will crack because you have to twist so hard to try to get the ice out.

[Dayzee]

Hmmm. I have always had good luck with the "Rubber Made" ones. The El Cheapo ones crack and break. Have you tried the "good ones"? These always worked lots better for me than the metal ones. I am an ice cube freak, but now I have a fridge that shoots them out the door (sometimes too many that land on the floor, but who cares?)

They have the metal ones with the lever available at Amazon, but they are rather spendy. I can't post what I found for you because I haven't earned all of my "green stars" yet for posting attachments.

I guess I can post the url: http://www.amazon.com/The-Home-Marketplace-Aluminum-Cube/dp/B002DQPEQO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1256879997&sr=8-1-catcorr

Good luck!

[Anon001]

As I posted earlier, I did find them on eBay. I think I got 6 metal ice trays for $1.99 plus shipping. As long as it has been, I can't remember for certain, but I think the shipping was around $9. Still half of the cost of one new tray.

I've sure enjoyed my old fashioned metal trays.

Paul

[pathwayholding]

Hey Paul,

I prefer the metal trays for ice cubes too. The cubes don't get that weird plastic taste to them. I kept all my old plastic ones for freezing eggs and such. The egg cubes are more uniform in size. I don't have to hurry and get the trays washed and refilled with water either.

You got a great deal btw...I paid $10 for each metal tray at Bed Bath and Beyond.

path

[iowasue]

We have a good church supported thrift shop nearby - many people take what's left of Mom and Dad's estate stuff there after the sale. I found many complete sets of nice 50's and 60's china, and lots of kitchen gadgets and the like, as well as parts for gadgets, like extra lids, mixer bowls, coffee pot carafes, etc. I wanted a cookie press, I found 6 of them, and purchased one, like new and still in the box with the recipes and directions, for $2. I bought a set of china I liked for $50 - it is very nice and in good condition- I found the same pattern being sold new on the internet for $500 for the set! It's where I go first for items I need. The older quality is better than what is found at discount stores today and they appreciate paying patrons. If a family is in need, they may choose the items they need at no cost. (This store also had an assortment of metal ice cube trays).

[crunchycon]

I have heavy sturdy plastic ones that were a giveaway from my dad's then-employer nearly 40 years ago. Still going strong. I wonder if you can find such vintage treasures at a second-hand store or flea market.