Alaskey® Giant Ice Block Mold 12 lbs (2-Pack) | Create Perfect Reusable Ice Bricks | Professional Silicone Mold for Crafting Extra Large Ice Cubes, Ideal for Ice Baths, Coolers, Bartender Accessories

So, like most folks I expect, we've tried a multitude of means and methods to keep a variety of circumstances, situations, necessities etc... cool over the years. Coolers with cubes, ice packs, dry ice, salted ice blocks, etc... All with a wide variety of outcome, as well. Hot days, outdoors versus long road trips, these can require different "best solutions" for the environment. In the end, just keeping one's stuff cold is the name of the game. Overall, I never did come across one immensely better than the rest, though for long term cooling, thicker is better, and salt definitely helps (lowers the temps at which items stay frozen). Here, essentially you simply have the largest cube or brick you can reasonably attain and make use of. What really makes this work is the overall lack of surface area, that are which "bleeds" energy, losing its temp. By keeping the core contained in all one block, that alone will keep it frozen, longer. Additionally, why I love these, is the ability to "keep it clean and dry". You can wrap one of these inside a plastic bag or ziplock, and you both keep your cooler overall colder, longer, but you can also keep everything from taking a wet bath, if that is interesting or amenable to you. The only requirement is taking the time to freeze these well in advance, as they will take more time, for all the same reasons in reverse. The item is great, and has many more uses than this. Totally recommend it!

I've frozen at least a dozen blocks of ice with these and they show no signs of wearing out. I've used them inside be freezer (which is about -10F) and also outdoors which obviously varies but has been cold enough to freeze a few. I added some food coloring to a couple of blocks and and thinking of building an ice castle. These are for more than just making your bath cold.. in the photo the blue food coloring worked very well, not so much the rad. The other blocks are pure ice and the ones on the right are older and have melted more. I took a couple of them out before they froze entirely solid. It takes a while to do that, but you don't have to fill them all the way up. I like the crystall structure you can see in some of them.

These molds are very sturdy and well made. Thick enough for repeated use with supporting ridges and frame. Tough silicone but will easily release block after a minute. Around the volume of a shoe box, they can also pack down fairly small for storage when not in use. Good to make a bunch of big ice blocks and keep in the bottom of chest freezer, bagged to hold separation. Stack them up for hurricane season. When storms come your direction, make more. In combination with other supplies and good prep, you could keep food cold for weeks in an emergency. Make your own batches of Pykrete [14% saw dust/ wood pulp, 86% water] for ultra long lasting ice (obviously can't consume it, then).

These are very large ice molds. Even though they state the dimensions on their site (12” x 8” x 5” deep) you definitely need to plan ahead to place one in your freezer, not to mention finding space for two. Also, keep in mind that you’re making a big block of ice so it takes extra time versus merely making a tray of ice cubes. One thing they do not have is lids, though you can purchase versions with lids for an extra cost. I find that a little odd since you’ll be exposing a large area of water in the freezer without a lid and if you want to use them both, you can’t stack them. They arrive collapsed and strapped. Once the straps are cut, they automatically pop up into shape. I found re-collapsing them very difficult because they want to keep popping back up into shape. One will stack into the other but if you want to completely collapse them for storage you’ll need to figure out a way to keep it collapsed. (Maybe a Velcro strap?) They are well-constructed and worth the investment if you have the space in your freezer and want to make your own ice blocks. Pros Large Flexible Cons Large (yes I know I also said that’s a pro, but it depends on your POV and freezer space) No lids included - need to pay extra Difficult to re-collapse

BOTTOM LINE: 1. I recommend this Alaskey®-Giant Ice Block Mold-2 Pack-12 lbs Ice Bricks. 2. The current price of ~$36 is a bit high. LIKES: - Large. Makes 12 pounds of ice. - 2 pack. - Silicone releases well enough. DISLIKES: - Silicone is too thin.

Solid construction with metal frame built into the top that holds up well when full of water, either liquid or frozen. I got these for an art project -- to test, I left the containers outside to collect water and freeze.

Perfect for anyone trying to get into an ice bath routine at a low cost. A set of two of these is plenty for getting a small tub chilled.

I know the measurements are on the description but seeing this in person....This mold is huge!! It's perfect when we have events and this will melt much more slowly in containers for bottles of beer, water or soft drinks. This beats hands down - using bags of ice cubes to keep things cool. This shipped in a clear plastic bag - with no instructions. I use silicone ice molds (albeit much smaller) all the time. The key to get the ice out quickly is to leave it out for 10-15 minutes to let the ice melt slightly and that will let it slide out easily. The silicone mold has thicker reinforcements along the side so it sits upwards and does not flop down. The top ring has a piece of metal embedded in the silicone so that it gives it rigidity. This is super useful to use every event or camping trip!