Ice scoops are used to carry ice into a shaker, mixing glass or serving glass. They’re usually made of stainless steel metal or food-safe plastic. Ice is one of the key components in making cocktails. They’re used to chill a drink for a nice, cold, and refreshing taste.
Plastic Vs. Metal Ice Scoops
- Thermal Conductivity
Both plastic and metal are thermally conductive. Metal has a higher conductivity than plastic which makes them colder faster when exposed to ice. This can make them difficult to hold if the scoop is too cold.
- Strength
Stainless steel metal is corrosion and rust-resistant. They have a high chemical resistance compared to plastic. Since plastic has less chemical resistance, there’s a higher chance of becoming brittle and breakage.
- Affordable
Plastic is a lot cheaper than metal due to the shipping and energy costs. It takes less energy to make plastic compared to metal since it’s a lot lighter than metal.
Types of Ice
- Regular Cube
These are also known as large cubes. They’re solidly built and have nearly a 100% ice-to-water ratio. These are best for large-volume uses like bagging or dispensing ice. Soft drinks and mixed drinks are great for this type of ice.
Regular ice cubes have a larger size with a slow melting rate. It provides maximum cooling and reduces ice consumption which is great for restaurants.
- Full Cube
This is also known as dice ice or square cube. They’re solidly built and have nearly a 100% ice-to-water ratio. These are best used for ice bagging, dispensing, soft drinks, and mixed drinks.
Full ice cubes have a uniform shape and size. They’re large with a slow melting rate, it provides maximum cooling and reduces ice consumption which is excellent for catering companies. If you need a clean look, this ice is for you.