Customer Reviews

Back to Basics SIT18003 Electric Ice Shaver

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I own this ice shaver for 4 months now. It comes with 2 plastic ice molds, a bunch of paper cups and straws and a cup holder. You may or you may not use the holder as it is easier to hold the cup while shaving the ice.

This shaver works with either regular ICE CUBES OR MOLDED ICE. There is a difference with the results when using the molded ice as opposed to the cubes. You get a bit rougher ice shaves when using ice cubes.

The shaver is made up of 2 major parts. The corded head where the motor sit, and the base where the blade is and where you put the ice. The base is just a plastic stand so you can just easily dump excess ice to the sink without unplugging the cord. There is a small blue knob at the right side shown on the picture to adjust the height of the blade.

Considering also the price I paid for this machine (Price varies but I got it around 20$ at a major national chain store), this is a great value for the buck.

Very simple design and works wonderfully.

Also consider searching for silicone snow cone cups for household use. Re-usable and silicone is very easy to clean.

I am a total ice addict and already have two of these machines (one at work and one at my mom's) and am buying my third to use at home. Have been using the Hamilton Beach Icy Treats at home and have bought two of them in the last two years to have them break. My Back to Basics models have been in use for three and two years, respectively and I LOVE THEM. They create the softest, fluffiest ice with the molds, and it is convenient to use regular ice, but the texture is not nearly as soft. It is a bit time consuming to make large quantities of ice and sometimes they need a rest, but I cannot wait to get this one!!

We loved this machine, for the three rounds of snow cones it made! After 12 snow cones over the course of two days, it stopped working completely. It seemed to get hot very quickly and I felt I had to apply a lot of pressure to get the ice to shave at more than a snail's pace. It works with regular ice cubes, but the ice is definitely much finer when using the ice molds that come with the machine. But what a pain! I don't think I could freeze ice fast enough in the two trays provided to keep my 3 children content and I don't have the freezer space to devote to them. I returned it and was prepared to give it another try, but could not find another one at Target. I spent 12 dollars more and got the Hamilton Beach Icy Treats machine. We'll see how it goes!

Ive tried so many models and brands of ice shavers and this one seems to work the best, for the longest. Yes, they all give out eventually but this one goes for months and months, the older versions of this same brand throw in the towel after just a few months. I use it daily and it is consistent and durable in comparison to others I've tried.