Customer Reviews

Metrokane Ice-O-Mat Ice Crusher, Red

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I was looking for an ice crusher for my bar. Some drinks just need crushed iced--not blended like a Slurpy, but crushed. So, I looked around and there aren't a whole lot of choices and Metrokane seems to have the obvious two. After reading a couple of reviews, I chose the Ice-o-mat for two reasons. One, it was all metal, and two, it was stylish. Having used it a number of times now, I can definitely say that it's a sturdy and attractive device (in an art deco sort of way). However, I have noticed a couple of things. First off, it says it makes two sizes of ice depending on the direction you turn the crank. Well, I cant tell the difference, but that probably isn't too big of a deal. Since you are crushing ice (and usually pretty big cubes) it's kind of jerky and takes some force to get this done and keep the thing on the counter, so it may not be the best choice if you are a little on the weak side. The most serious problem and why I rated it so low is that there is a problem with the crank and stand. The stand is about 1 1/2 inches too short so that if you grip the crank you wind up hitting your knuckles on the base of the stand. Since it takes a lot of force to turn the crank and hold the crusher steady it is difficult to hold onto the crank with just your finger tips. Unfortunately, I don't know of a better device to recommend.

Yep. It crushes ice. Can it be improved? Yep. Should you buy it? Only if it's the only ice crusher left on the planet.

Its capacity is nothing spectacular. But it's OK. It looks a lot like an R2D2 that's been working on its throwing arm.

Problems include the following:

(1) no vacuum base attachment to the counter, so you have to lean on it to keep it in place while turning the crank.

(2) the crank is long enough to lend enough leverage for crushing, but the overall height of the unit leaves too little clearance between the crank's lowest position and the countertop, resulting in -- this is annoying -- smashed knuckles, which at least lends you the aura of having been in a bar fight. All could have been avoided by making the whole unit one inch -- 25.4 silly millimeters -- taller.

(3) the stainless steel receiving cup is like an ice magnet -- the crushed ice freezes to it, so you have to heat it up with your body heat or stand like a fool waiting for the ice to unstick from the inside of it. Could have been avoided by making the cup of plastic or lining it with Teflon.

(4) seme problem with the ice in the body/blades of the crusher, which invariably leads to a mess when the internally retained ice melts. A little recessed cup in the base would have solved this.

But none of those problems were anticipated by the designer. So, OK, I can crush ice, but every attempt makes me long for my mom's old bullet-shaped, wall-mounted Daisy unit (coudn't have cost more than $3.50 in 1952) that blasted ice to smithereens throughout my childhood.

This machine is superb! It makes a great gift for anyone who appreciates crushed ice who doesn't own a $2,000 refrigerator. It is as functional as it is good looking! It oozes a timelessness and class that is hard to describe. It is not a cheap machine with plastic parts, but a solid piece of durability! This summer, on a warm evening, think of the luxury of drinking your favorite beverages in the nostalgic ice that can only be reproduced by the Ice-O-Mat. Cheers.

I love this ice crusher. It works well and although I agree that it can be hard to operate, it yields fantastic results, beautiful ice chunks that are perfect to quickly cool down any drink, and ideal to prepare drinks in a shaker, where you are looking for maximum surface of contact from your ice.

It will fit more than 2 ice cubes as claimed by other reviewers, I always get at least 4 in (regular cubes). Note that it is not required to close the lid completely before starting to crush. Once you've started turning, try to keep a good momentum and you will have you ice crushed in 5-7 seconds.

I picked this up for the wife because she loves to chew ice cubes and the noise was driving me crazy! Turns out I use it more every time I fix a cocktail because the crushed ice makes a better sipping drink!

My dad had the electic Revel and the racket that unit made was not welcome in our house. This unit has a good crank requiring a firm hold on the unit. Backward cranking caused the nut to wind off after a while but it is large and easy to wind tight again. I like the metal cup. I can also place a small highball glass in there if I want to. Remember to replace the cup when you are done to catch the drips of ice melt left in the crusher!

The retro look dresses up our counter just right. Worth the extra $$.

This ice crusher works great. Yes, you have to put a little effort into the crushing, but it is manual after all. I find it most effective to swing the arm forward or backward, depending on which direction works at the time with the ice. In effect you are chopping at the ice. Don't expect to put ice in and then gently turn it completely one way or the other. As the ice breaks down, you can turn the arm in one complete motion. Check the side bolt as it will loosen with use. It's not big deal if it comes off; just screw it back in. Your free hand should be on top of the machine, holding it in place. However, watch to avoid having your skin pinched: the lid will lift a bit as the ice turns and you can get caught in it. This is not a problem after you know about it.

I would recommend this ice crusher when you need to quickly crush say 2-3 trays of ice. If you need more, I would put it in a heavy bag, lay that on concrete, and bang at it with a meat tenderizer/hammer. It really does work.

Bought this product for my wife (was on her wish list). The unit looks much better than shown in the photos. As for crushing ice, it does a fine job. Yes, it takes effort and some strength (you will, after all, be crushing ice manually), but the result is very nicely crushed ice. I've been able to load five large ice cubes into the bin. The cover does not immediately close with this much ice, but, while holding the cover down and with a slight turn of the crank, it will fully close. Only two complaints. First, the difference between fine and course ice is not discernable to me. Second, the unit could use a larger, heavier base for stability. Otherwise, I enjoy using my wife's(!) Ice-O-Mat.

This is a manually operated product that does require some strength and is a bit jerky to operate. The handle could be better designed but it is more annoying than prohibitive. A heavier base would be nice but regardless you would have to hold it in place.

I didn't actually measure the two sizes of chips I'll take their word that there is a size difference (I couldn't tell the difference). I was able to crush a tray of standard cubes in 2-3 batches.

This is a compact, atttactive relatively inexpensive product that does a good job crushing ice as long as you are looking to crush small amounts at a time.

Works a whole lot better than trying to smash cubes in a zip lock bag with my meat tenderizer!

Received product yesterday and haved used it four times already. This little machine is quality through and through. It is made with sturdy, solid metal parts. No junky plastic that self destucts after two days. I want everyone to note as previous reviewers have mentioned, this ice crusher requires a good amount of strength--it is not for everyone. The handle must be turned with a good deal of force, or as some would say, some good old fashioned elbow grease. It will sometimes jam & seem to be stuck, but all that needs to be done to remedy that problem is reverse the handle in the other direction for a split second to loosen the piece of ice. I personally put my hand on the top of the machine after I feed about 3 cubes into it. After about 10 seconds, presto!! perfectly crushed ice. I must confess, I am a muncher too. The ice comes out the perfect size for munching, as well as cooling off your tall iced tea in seconds. I believe this machine will last for years and is well worth purchasing. I love the stylish look of it too. One last tip--don't waste your hard earned money on the automatic or electric ice crushers--they are useless, aggravating & make mush, not crushed ice. I learned that the hard way. I highly recommend this product. Enjoy!!

Memories of my grandmother's wall-mount manual ice crusher brought me to the Ice-O-Mat.

A real disappointment, it is quite unpleasant to use. The parts fit so poorly that turning the crank to crush ice means half of the effort goes to trying to counter the useless wiggle.

I actually chose this one because it was more expensive, thinking that might equate with quality. Wrong. I returned it and the search continues ...