skip to main content

The Kitchen Table

If you have an ice-crushing machine (or 'shaver') ...

13 years ago

My blender is just not cutting it anymore, and it's starting to leak at the base (despite me taking it apart, cleaning it, changing the rubber thingie and tightening everything up).

I like to crush ice in it --it has an ice-crusher button -- and add either fresh-squeezed lemon or lime juice to make a slurpee-kind of thing (tho not as thick -- more like snow-cone consistency).

I'm seeing the "Hawaiian ice"-type "shavers" on the Amazon site and am wondering about those -- do you have one? Opinions on any of them?

Not sure I want to buy another blender, because I don't do anything with it except the icy drinks.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

threejs
13 years ago
Ninja all the way!!!

Ã¯Â¿Â½Crush ice into snow in seconds
Ã¯Â¿Â½Blend frozen fruits into creamy smoothies
Ã¯Â¿Â½Chop fresh ingredients evenly - no more mush
Ã¯Â¿Â½New more powerful & 2X faster

I am on my second one but the first was used basically every day for the first year. I have the set of three bases each is handy for certain jobs. When it came on sale a few months ago I bought the second set as a gift, but ended up using it actually just last month so the first was almost three years old, I could and still might look into getting it repaired as it was only a small plastic looking piece that held the blade that got worn out.
Marilyn Sue
13 years ago
I have a couple of blenders but seldom use them. The only ice crusher I have is on my refrigerator/freezer door.

Sue
Related Discussions
Alternatives to ice machine? Ice maker in full-size wine cooler?
Q
Comments (2)
Hi I don't have answers sorry. I just read your post and this is an issue for us as well. We have a side by side with ice/water in the door but the space is too narrow for a family member who is wheelchair bound to be able to access most of the items in it. We are going to get an all refrigerator all freezer pair because they will be wide enough for him to get close enough to get things...and the Whirlpool sidekicks have slide out shelves. But none of these have ice/water in the door. I love my crushed ice and not to mention the accessiblity of the ice and water in the door. I thought about an ice machine but then my husband told me that they have to be cleaned often because the temperature in an ice machine allows bacteria to form versus an ice machine in a freezer? I don't know much about it...just started researching. I don't understand why the manufacturers don't offer ice and water in the door on all refrigerator all freezer pairs. I saw there are some refrigerators with top freezers that have water in the door.
...See More
Looking for built-in frig with crushed ice / water dispenser
Q
Comments (7)
The ice maker is the most delicate part of any fridge, and the through door units take up a lot of space and make the concerns that much worse. Not the best idea for a fridge you expect to last for more than twenty years. Combine that with the fact that people get built-ins in order to have them blend into the cabinetry, and you start to understand why there just isn't a lot of demand. If you use the ice/water dispenser on daily basis, you'll probably want to keep it. If it's less often, you might consider using an ice crusher (small appliance) or a garage sale food processor for that part. SubZero does have an ice dispenser on the 48" side-by-side, but as I said, it's the weakest link. The only thing on an SZ that most people find needs service over its lifetime is the ice maker, and the through door ones seem to need service sooner. (Just an observation on frequency--check with their repair service for first hand knowledge.) Here's a search on AJMadison for custom panels and through door ice. I don't know which of these have crushed ice and water. Some of these aren't built-in models, but you could do a faux if one of the suits you.
...See More
How do you make crushed ice?
Q
Comments (33)
Cracked / Crushed Ice! Love it. We're too far away from stores and our freezer space is limited these days. I have a variety of cracking and crushing gizmos and gadgets. 1. I sometimes use the meat hammer and thick plastic bags, on counter, and as someone suggested, use an old cloth, denim over that. Don't use nice dish towels bc the will get "hammered", breaking the fibers. Cracked ice cubes. 2. Note: for CLEAR ice, make the cubes with water which you've boiled and cooled. That removes the trapped air. 3. Note: You can buy trays for tiny squares or other shaped cubes. I love looking at small clear ice cubes in pretty, cleared iced tea ;-) 4. I have an older Oster blender for which I bought two ICE crushing blades. Affordable at online, including that Big monster order house. This can give me finely crushed ice. Earplugs recommended. You can also make the drink in the blender and add ice cubes. 5. At some thrift/used store I picked up a countertop electric ice crusher. Gives me quite a bit of crushed ice cubes/ice. If you find one, clean it well ;) 6. I have a nice countertop hand crank as shown above. Like the Metrokline. Found at yard sale. Easy to use & doesn't take up much room. Use at sink. Mine is clear & chrome. Get one with a SUCTION bottom. 7. There is this little hand-held gizmo that I've dubbed the thwacker. Online auctions for original or Amaz. See. https://www.amazon.com/TAPPER-Breaker-Break-Cracker-Crusher/dp/B017T20CS6
...See More
SW crushed ice or aesthetic white
Q
Comments (6)
don't know. get both samples and try them out. lighting in your home affects how the colors look on walls. And you haven't said what color white is on the ceiling. if it's a plain, neutral white, anything will look fine next to it.
...See More
azzalea
13 years ago
I have a small one (maybe a rival?)--it's still packed away, from the move. It's electric, just an ice crusher, does nothing else and was very inexpensive. You drop one cube at a time in through the top, the crushed ice comes out the bottom. Have had it for maybe 20 years, it does a great job, and still works fine.

If you only use the blender for crushing ice, maybe you would do better to buy an ice crusher instead. Did do a quick search and didn't see one exactly like mine, but as I said, it's very old. I would think you want an electric one--those hand crank things take a lot of effort.
Fun2BHere
13 years ago
I have the small handcrank version which works fine, but you can only use ice frozen in the specific shape and size that it allows so I don't use it very much. I've been using my blender with the ice crusher button, but I can smell the motor burning when I crush ice so I don't know how long it will work. I have a friend who bought a commercial ice shaver on line. The thing is huge, but you can make real shave ice with it. They only set it up for parties.
sheilajoyce_gw
13 years ago
That looks great for a summer birthday present for my son or DIL. They live in an un air conditioned apartment and without enough windows to give a good cross ventilation. Something to help them keep cool in Santa Anna hot conditions.
ntt_hou
13 years ago
I use a 17" screen laptop and ThreeJs' Ninja looks like a giant finger! LOL...
threejs
13 years ago
That is funny because I got that picture on line from one of the stores that sold the unit and it was very tiny smaller than a postage stamp. Now I have to go to the kitchen and make a pumpkin pie blizzard. I shouldn't have watched the video below.

Here is a link that might be useful: ninja demo

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN Small Luxuries: Chill at Home With a Specialty Ice Maker

By Sheridan Interiors, Kitchens and Baths

Get perfectly clear cubes — and never wrestle a tray again — with a freestanding or built-in ice maker

MONTHLY HOME CHECKLISTS Your Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

By Laura Gaskill

Prep your house and yard for cold weather with this list of things to do in an hour or over a weekend

KITCHEN DESIGN Stay Cool About Picking the Right Refrigerator

By KitchenLab Interiors

If all the options for refrigeration leave you hot under the collar, this guide to choosing a fridge and freezer will help you chill out

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Be Your Own Artisanal Chef

By Mariko Jackson

You may never settle for prepared foods again with these cooking tools, gadgets and storage pieces

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Give Your Driveway and Front Walk More Curb Appeal

By Laura Gaskill

Prevent injuries and tire damage while making a great first impression by replacing or repairing front paths

KITCHEN DESIGN 20 Kitchen Must-Haves From Houzz Readers

By Jennifer Ott Design

We asked you to tell us your top kitchen amenities. See what popular kitchen features made the list

LIFE How to Prepare for and Live With a Power Outage

By Lisa Frederick

When electricity loss puts food, water and heat in jeopardy, don't be in the dark about how to stay as safe and comfortable as possible

HOUSEKEEPING How to Fix a Stinky Garbage Disposal

By Becky Harris

No plumber’s fee or even a trip to the hardware store is required with these easy solutions

KITCHEN DESIGN 9 Questions to Ask When Planning a Kitchen Pantry

By Susan Redman

Avoid blunders and get the storage space and layout you need by asking these questions before you begin

BATHROOM DESIGN A Designer Shares Her Master-Bathroom Wish List

By Jennifer Ott Design

She's planning her own renovation and daydreaming about what to include. What amenities are must-haves in your remodel or new build?

Sponsored

28 Reviews

Franklin County's Preferred Custom Cabinetry & Design Studio

More Discussions

What are you reading? September 2026 Edition

15

Fresh herbs that aren't worth the effort

29

Sunday Brain Game---SOLUTION

13

Wednesday's Daily Quiz

3

I'll show you mine/ysmy - W 9/9

5