Customer Reviews

Zak Designs 1-Pint Insulated Ice-Cream Tubbie with Freezable Gel Lid, Turquoise

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Since the other reviewer had an unfortunate mishap and couldn't tell about the actual product in use, I will for once write a review. I bought this tub to store homemade ice cream and it has served the purpose well. The seal on the top seems to be quite tight and I have had much less of a problem with ice forming in the cream since using these. My only complaint is that the lid can be difficult to get off right after the container leaves the freezer...but within a few minutes it thaws enough to remove easily.

A while back, we got into making ice cream and haven't looked back since. Of course, we've made a lot of new friends who now come over anytime they want some great homemade ice cream :). We bought 4 of these Zak containers to store our homemade ice cream as these were (and still are) the only reusable options for home ice cream storage in the pint size.

I mention that this container is multi-purpose because it is large enough to put homemade ice cream directly into the container, or the standard store bought pint-sized container (e.g., Ben & Jerry's) if you want to take it on-the-go with you. The container is well insulated so will keep your ice cream chilled for a good 2-4 hours depending on outside temps. We've put these containers in coolers with ice to go camping and they lasted all day.

If you are using the container for making homemade ice cream, I suggest you get at least 2 as most ice cream recipes make a healthy 1 quart portion (assuming you don't eat it all while being made). When you make homemade ice cream, it often is not as hard when it comes out of the maker so you'll need to chill it for a while. One of the issues we found with using the Zak container in the freezer is that because it is very well insulated it takes longer to make the ice cream colder. This can be a problem if you plan to serve the ice cream the same day you make it. Our solution is to put the freshly made ice cream in the Zak container and instead of using a lid, put plastic wrap directly onto the ice cream (making sure to get a tight seal without any air). The ice cream will chill much faster this way.

Folks have complained about the problem with opening the container as lid will tend to freeze shut after being in the freezer for a while. This is a problem and reason I give it 4 stars. The lid should really have a better grip than a low profile motif of a spoon on top. However, this is no longer a problem for us because when we put the lid on, we now always tighten it shut and then crack it open slightly. Because the lid has plenty of screw turns, we have found that air does not get into the ice cream when slightly cracked open. Anyways, hope some of these tips help folks make better use of this excellent product.

I originally saw this at crate and barrel (available only in white and cost more than here). I ordered 2 from amazon to put my homemade ice cream in. This container is quite nice and works well for my intended purpose. Works well for transporting ice cream.

The container size and overall quality is good. However, opening the container can be difficult as there is nothing to really hold onto. The raised spoon on the lid is only slightly raised; definitely not enough to grab hold of. Also be sure not to fill the container to the top; leave about a 1/2 inch or so breathing room. As your ice cream sets, it will form an extremely tight suction making opening all the more difficult.

We recently purchased an ice cream maker. These containers were subsequently purchased to store the ice cream in after it was made.

The containers are great: sturdy and solid. And they are insultated, allowing the ice cream to be transported at room temperature without the ice cream softening significantly. The containers have a screw-on lid that can occasionally be difficult to unscrew after sitting in a freezer for while. But the containers fulfilled our expectations.

The container is perfect for transporting frozen desserts, but my husband had to use the vise to open the container.

I find that if I run hot water around the lid, it can be opened by holding on to the "spoon" on the top.

Great idea, but not a great design.

I used this a couple times for homemade gelato its superb! Some folks made comments about the lid being hard to unscrew this is true to a point but its no harder then trying to unscrew a pickels jar. Its a nice size jar able to hold a full order of gelato no freezer burn or ice formation getting in I scooped the freshly made gelato in and let it form in the freezer and when it was needed I just scooped it out!

I really wanted to love this product, but the lid is insanely impossible to open. I don't even understand how this product ever got past the testing phase. Both my partner and I were literally screaming in frustration to open it. You cannot get a grip on it! It's really disappointing. I have an ice cream maker and one of the reasons I rarely use it is because when I store the leftovers, they get all icy and crystalline. This container completely remedies that issue, but creates another, more detrimental one by not letting you get into the ice cream in the first place. I really hope the company comes out with a redesign that addresses this issue.

I was looking for a storage container to keep my homemade gelatos and ice creams when I came across this container. If you store this item in the freezer before putting your ice cream in it, your concoctions will freeze faster and produce smaller ice crystals. The only down side I have come across is that the raised spoon on the lid does not allow for very good stacking in your freezer. Overall a very good product.

I really think these ice cream makers are bright and happy! For some reason, the bottom of one of mine cracked. I'm not sure if someone dropped it or it cracked for some other reason, but I'm going to replace it with the same item.

To prevent the lids from becoming stuck after the ice cream is frozen, just leave a little head room in the container, and try not to get ice cream in the threads. In addition, the lid need not be screwed on tightly. I have no problem opening them if I do what I just said!

I like that the container is freezable. If you want to easily scoop out the ice cream, just open the container completely ,and leave the container with the frozen ice cream in it at room temperature for 15 minutes. The ice cream becomes just the right consistency to serve at that time.