Customer Reviews

Metrokane Manual Ice Crusher, White/Chrome

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I just got this and I am very happy with it. It is larger than I thought it would be which is a major plus. It looks and feels very solid, like it will last a long long time.

I have seen these models sold on auction sites, as vintage models and they seem in excellent condition (both working condition and appearance). That bodes well for this unit lasting a good long time.

It is a bit hard to turn sometimes, but not hard enough for even my 12 year old to manage. If it sticks a bit just a few turns in the opposite direction will get it going again. The top holds a good amount of ice to crush (a whole ice tray or almost) and the bottom unit that catches to ice holds even more.

I chose this over the electric units becuase you can store it easier (altho it hasnt been off my counter since i got it) and you get a courser grind of ice. While ice shavings are attractive and preferrable in some instances..a courser grind is better for drinks (both soft and hard... you cant shake a martini with shaved ice because it will just melt away). They also make a longer lasting *bed* for shrimp platters, wine buckets, etc.

This unit will grind both course and *fine* depending on what way you turn the handle. The fine still isnt ice shavings but it can make a decent snow cone, in a pinch.

This is a great unit and even tho it takes a bit of elbow grease at times, I wouldnt trade it for an electric unit.

Ok I read the reviews... You know the sad one about water being all over the place. Who cares when you crush ice! Well, I bought this crusher. I am a cronic ice lover. It is great. My dad had one just like it. I used to crush ice by the hour in the 50's. The ice comes out the right size for chewing and it is fast and easy. No electricity, just a little effort. My son is crushing ice now. He is so excited.

I found the electric ones to be out of control and crush the ice to finely. So I am satisfied... with the crusher and with Amazon... Great price, great service.

I bought this product and had to return it because the chrome paint inside chips off and falls into the ice. The mechanism is heavy and should last, but the bottom of the product is low-quality plastic, which I also found disappointing.

I have used this ice crusher for just over 2 years now. I crush 3 cubes a day maybe 3 days per week - not heavy useage in my opinion. The chrome metal plating inside the crushing area (where the blades are) is flaking off into the ice. The handle leaks "dirty" water on the counter as I turn it. Now, that "dirt" is getting into the ice making it gray. The plating is also flaking off the OUTSIDE near the handle. ... For a ... product, the quality is very poor. I'd like an electric crusher, but alas, no one makes one anymore. I use my blender now but it's not very satisfactory unless I mix the drink ingredients along with the ice. Maybe some company will start making a really GREAT ice crusher one day!

In order to make our favorite drinks, Mai Tais, we thought we had to have a proper ice crusher. I bought this one (chome steel upper & plastic chrome base) and it worked pretty well if you had the strength to operate it. Unfortunately, I found I didn't have the strength (except in one position) nor did I have the patience. In order to use this device without it tipping over while I was cranking, I found I had to get on the floor, hold the base between my knees to anchor it & then crank away. This I imagine may be too much trouble for some people. I found it to be a plain chore myself. If you prefer the vintage look, then this is the one to go with but if you prefer easy quick crushed ice, then go with the Rival electric ice crusher like I ultimately did. My friend of mine was happy however, that he received the vintage looking chrome ice crusher as a hand-me-down & at least someone is getting some use from it.

This manual crusher uses blades going through large slots which would appear to have a longer usefull life as blades would not get dull, as in a blender. Top holds about two cups of ice and bottom holds about 6 - 8 cups of crushed ice. Bottom is plastic, but I have seen no sign of chipping as previously reported. Not being electric makes it very portable and I find little effort is needed to turn crank. The crushed ice works great in shakers and blenders, and is infinitely better than the one built into my refrigerator. At the current discount price this is absolutely great for a 2 - 4 cups of crushed ice a night and where a plug for an electric model might be in a hard to get place. If you throw parties or have higher needs for crushed ice, and electric model might be the way to go.

I received one of these for Christmas 2001 (all chrome model.) Looks great/retro next to my chrome coffee grinder & retro chrome blender. Drawbacks...bottom cup that catches the ice looks like chrome. It is plastic. Can't wait till cold ice cracks this baby. Also, after using it about once a week for five weeks now, last night all the cutter blades fell off into the ice catcher while I was turning the handle. Now I am trying to contact the company for a drawing of how to put this back together because I'm not gonna pay freight to ship it to them, and include $5 for them to ship it back to me! Overall recommendation...looks great on the counter but don't use it very often!

This is just an ice crusher. I love the retro feel and it works well with my Hamilton-Beach old-fashioned mixer, but in all honesty this is just an ice crusher. It serves its purpose well and it is easy to clean. The bottom is plastic and the top is a menacing futuristic chrome. If you are wanting to buy this because you need an ice crusher, you can probably find a much cheaper one; but if you are wanting to buy this because you like the '50s diner type look, then look no further. It does exactly what it needs to and nothing more.

I purchased this product, and used it successfully to make large crushed ice. When I followed the instructions for fine ice, turning the crank counter clockwise, the nut holding the crank came loose, and the crusher assembly fell apart. I believe this was due to poor design or improper assembly.

I wrote to the company on April 3, 2004 to request warranty assistance. I received no reply, and wrote again on June 3.

Again I received no reply, so I filed a complaint with the New York State Consumer Protection Board on July 31.

This ultimately resulted in my receiving a call from the company, sending the unit to them at my expense, and receiving a replacement unit a month or so later.

The company told NYSCPB that they had no record of my first letters, although they went to the same address to which I sent the unit, and did not come back in the mail.

I believe the company simply ignores complaints unless they are pressured from a higher authority.

The product does its job fine if you only turn clockwise; if you decide to try counter clockwise, tighten the nut frequently. There is not much difference between "fine" and "coarse."

I used the Metrokane ice-crusher for the first time and it really worked well...the ice was crushed easily and was crushed in seconds....however when I cranked the handle in reverse, the end nut on the crank shaft loosened, fell off and all the blades fell into the ice. Since the blades are assembled in a specific configuration I could not reassemble it. Amazon was very quick to reorder another for me..however it has been back-ordered for six weeks. Recommendation: tighten the end nut on the crankshaft before you use it.