When having fun with whiskey, many choose it neat, however for these events that decision for a chill, the everyday ice from a kitchen freezer simply doesn’t lower it. Whereas completely secure to drink, widespread ice constructed from municipal faucet water can detract from the expertise as a consequence of its form, dimension, and readability.
Enter the ice ball, a classy different to conventional cubes. Their decrease floor area-to-volume ratio means they soften extra slowly, retaining your drink colder for longer with out fast dilution. That is particularly essential for spirit-forward cocktails like an Previous Common or Negroni, the place sustaining a fragile taste steadiness is essential. Past their sensible advantages, ice balls elevate the visible presentation of any drink, including a contact of modern class.
For these trying to improve their ice recreation, the market provides numerous spherical ice makers. Nevertheless, these usually include a big price ticket, and never all items are created equal. Drinkhacker beforehand reviewed the Newair Countertop Whiskey Ice Ball Maker in November 2024, discovering that whereas it produced passable ice balls, they lacked true crystal readability. Now, we’re placing the Ecozy 2″ Clear Ice Ball Maker with Crystalflux Know-how to the check. Priced $100 lower than the Newair unit, can Ecozy ship clearer ice and a greater general expertise? Let’s discover out!
One key to clear ice lies within the water. Faucet water usually accommodates dissolved solids that trigger cloudiness. The Ecozy instruction guide states that clear ice will end result so long as the water accommodates lower than 200 elements per million (ppm) of dissolved solids. In contrast to the Newair, the Ecozy unit contains an digital complete dissolved solids (TDS) meter that can assist you measure your water’s purity.
For our check, I used store-bought distilled water, which registered a mere 1 ppm on the Ecozy’s TDS meter—effectively beneath the 200 ppm most. As a management, my dwelling’s municipal faucet water measured 198 ppm.
Working the Ecozy unit is remarkably easy. So as to add water manually, merely open the entrance door, take away the ice ball holding bin, and fill the reservoir as much as the clearly marked “Most” line. A drainage tube is offered for straightforward water disposal from the rear of the unit.
A major benefit of the Ecozy unit is its possibility for a direct and fixed water provide by way of a port on the again. This eliminates the necessity for guide refills, a characteristic not obtainable on the Newair. Whereas I couldn’t check this direct provide characteristic, it makes the Ecozy a much more environment friendly possibility for houses or institutions with appropriate plumbing.
As soon as the reservoir is crammed, merely hit the beginning button. The Ecozy guide guarantees clear ice balls in underneath 40 minutes. My exams persistently delivered 4 completely clear ice balls in simply 36 to 38 minutes, in comparison with the Newair’s two ice balls in a barely longer timeframe.
The Ecozy additionally boasts superior storage, with its bin holding 56 ice balls without delay, a considerable improve over the Newair’s capability of eight. The Ecozy even contains a further ice tray for freezer storage, permitting you to repeatedly make and retailer extra ice. Whereas the Ecozy guide claims a possible output of 144 ice balls in a 24-hour interval, attaining this with out the direct water provide would require fixed guide refilling. The Newair, in distinction, advertises a most of 44 ice balls per day.
Utilizing store-bought distilled water, the Ecozy completely delivered on its promise of crystal-clear ice balls. I then examined it with municipal faucet water, which, regardless of having 198 ppm, nonetheless produced ice that was considerably clearer than what my fridge usually makes at 150 ppm. Whereas not utterly clear with faucet water, the Ecozy nonetheless yielded a extra aesthetically pleasing end result than widespread family ice.
At $100 much less, the Ecozy outperformed the Newair in each facet. It produces clearer ice at a a lot sooner tempo and boasts a considerably larger day by day output and storage capability. Whereas the Newair’s output is perhaps enough for many dwelling customers, the Ecozy’s capability makes it a way more engaging possibility for on-premise use in bars or eating places.
Regardless of being a implausible ice ball maker and a transparent superior to the Newair, the Ecozy’s $600 to $700 price ticket means it’s probably “rather more machine” than the typical individual wants for informal dwelling use. Nevertheless, for these in search of a contact of luxurious with out concern for value, or for business institutions, the Ecozy is a stellar selection that can undoubtedly impress.
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A+ / $700 [BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON]
Ecozy Ice Ball Maker
USD700
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