Straight to the Level
The Hawaiian HomePro S777 delivered our desired shaved ice consistency in a compact, easy-to-use package deal. For these with a KitchenAid stand mixer, we suggest the KitchenAid Shave Ice Attachment.
Within the realm of ice-based desserts, shaved ice is a really particular factor. In contrast to snow cones, which are typically dense and crunchy, shaved ice is plush and pillowy. You would possibly even neglect you’re munching on ice as your spoon sinks into the smooth texture, delivering a candy, refreshing taste with each chew.
Due to its distinct character, shaved ice isn’t one thing you’ll be able to simply make at residence. Positive, you’ll be able to pulverize a handful of cubes in a blender or food processor, however you’re not going to get the identical fluffy outcomes.
What you are able to do, nevertheless, is purchase a shaved ice maker. Sure, it’s a distinct segment equipment and no, you in all probability don’t want one, however how cool would it not be—actually—to have shaved ice on demand? (For, say, Halo-Halo, drinks, or utilizing as a mattress for shucked oysters.) Because it seems, there are fairly a number of shaved ice machines available on the market. To be sure you’re spending your hard-earned money on one that really delivers, we put eight of them by means of rigorous testing (spending about 16 hours evaluating the machines). Two emerged victorious.
The Winners, at a Look
![Amazon Hawaiian Shaved Ice HomePro Shave Ice and Snow Cone Machine (S777)](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/hnacwXT9I8G0qsZCaKlwaW6BkTQ=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Hawaiian-Shaved-Ice-HomePro-Shave-Ice-and-Snow-Cone-Machine-S777-8d44f3140b6b4b669dbce4fa35285a8b.jpg)
Amazon
This machine delivered fluffy, fabulous ice each time all through our checks. We’re additionally followers of its glossy, minimal footprint.
![Amazon KitchenAid Shave Ice Attachment](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/l_XVwsSPPeaE8SqQCZvGkV5RglQ=/fit-in/1500x1001/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/KitchenAid-Shave-Ice-Attachment-2e00954e0a5e4293abf709dfa2566743.jpg)
Amazon
We love a KitchenAid stand mixer and this shave ice attachment is straightforward and does its job nicely. It comes with 4 ice molds and two blades (for coarse and effective ice).
The Checks
Critical Eats / Russell Kilgore
- Shaved Ice Check: This one’s a given—in fact our shaved ice machines wanted to be able to making shaved ice. We examined each machine based on the producer’s directions, assessing ease of use and consistency.
- Snow Cone Check: Nope, we’re not right here at this time for snow cones, but when a machine was labeled as able to making snow cones along with shaved ice, we examined that operate, too. Once more, we seemed for ease of use and consistency in textures.
- UX Observations: We additionally took notes on how straightforward the machines had been to scrub, whether or not they felt protected to make use of, how loud they had been, and what they seemed like. And since some qualities are subjective, we prioritized machine efficiency above aesthetics.
What We Realized
Getting the Appropriate Texture Was Key
Critical Eats / Russell Kilgore
They might appear comparable, however there’s a giant distinction between the consistency of shaved ice and snow cone ice. Plenty of the machines we examined claimed to supply each types, when in actuality they simply churned out snow cones with various sizes of ice bits. As we talked about earlier, shaved ice has a lighter, fluffier texture than the crushed ice typical for snow cones. Certainly one of our favourite shaved ice makers, from KitchenAid, even provides you two blades: the effective one yields shaved ice that appears slightly pillowy, however turns snow cone-like when syrup or such is added; the coarse one makes crunchier ice that’s finest in drinks or functions like a cool (ha) resting place for shucked oysters.
Ice Cubes Vs. Blocks (or Pucks!)
Critical Eats / Russell Kilgore
Whereas ice cubes are effective for making snow cones, common cubes simply don’t yield the correct outcomes relating to making shaved ice. Having to plan forward and freeze molds of ice blocks—often spherical and flat, like a hockey puck—as a way to make actual shaved ice isn’t tremendous handy, however the machines that got here out on high had specifically designed blades that really “shave” off flakes of ice from bigger blocks. So, purchaser beware: If a machine claims to do each shaved ice and snow cones however does not include particular molds, chances are high excessive that it solely makes snow cones. To that finish, each of our favorites (from Hawaiian Shaved Ice and KitchenAid) include their very own molds.
Security! Uncovered Blades!
Critical Eats / Russell Kilgore
Even when you don’t have youngsters working round, you’re in all probability making shaved ice (or snow cones) as a enjoyable exercise, so be protected about it. Choose a machine with out uncovered blades, and search for one with a clearly recognized, accessible shut-off swap. For instance, the KitchenAid shaved ice maker—which you energy on and off through the stand mixer’s management swap—has a few security options in-built. It should first be turned to the locked place as a way to convey the ice nearer to the blades and the blades are hidden beneath the attachment and behind a plastic panel.
It Acquired Messy
Critical Eats / Russell Kilgore
Most shaved ice machines we examined form of made a multitude. Thankfully, ice is simply water so it shouldn’t trigger an excessive amount of hassle, but it surely’s price being conscious that ice bits could go flying—particularly whereas getting aware of the machine. Even our winners are liable to dripping submit shaving—as there’s inevitably a little bit of puck that does not get processed.
The Standards: What to Search for in a Shaved Ice Maker
Critical Eats / Russell Kilgore
An incredible shaved ice maker ought to have hid blades which can be sharp and able to shaving exact little flakes. They need to additionally embrace molds to create ice that may really be shaved, and, ideally, be straightforward to make use of and clear.
The Finest Shaved Ice Makers
![Amazon Hawaiian Shaved Ice HomePro Shave Ice and Snow Cone Machine (S777)](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/hnacwXT9I8G0qsZCaKlwaW6BkTQ=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Hawaiian-Shaved-Ice-HomePro-Shave-Ice-and-Snow-Cone-Machine-S777-8d44f3140b6b4b669dbce4fa35285a8b.jpg)
Amazon
What we appreciated: This machine made some severely fluffy, ethereal shaved ice. We had been impressed with its consistency and adjustable blade peak, which lets you dial in precisely the feel you’re searching for. The HomePro was straightforward to make use of, and the internals are properly contained so it’s protected and doesn’t take up a ton of area. It contains 5 ice molds.
What we didn’t like: It is somewhat loud whereas working and given its peak (over 15 inches), it could be troublesome to retailer in a regular cupboard.
Worth at time of publish: $100.
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.25 x 15.5 inches
- Materials: Plastic
- Features: Shaved ice and snow cones (and something in between)
- Consists of: Ice shaver, 5 ice molds with lids, drip tray cowl
Critical Eats / Russell Kilgore
![Amazon KitchenAid Shave Ice Attachment](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/l_XVwsSPPeaE8SqQCZvGkV5RglQ=/fit-in/1500x1001/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/KitchenAid-Shave-Ice-Attachment-2e00954e0a5e4293abf709dfa2566743.jpg)
Amazon
What we appreciated: It’s exhausting to beat the space-saving effectivity of an attachment versus a countertop shaved ice machine. It got here with 4 molds that produced ice pucks. To make use of the shaved ice maker, select which blade you need (coarse or effective), affix the attachment to the hub of a stand mixer, place an ice puck into the plastic hopper, after which twist the hopper onto the attachment to lock it into place. After turning the stand mixer on, the shaved ice begins to return out instantly.
What we didn’t like: 4 ice pucks aren’t that many, so you will be restricted by how a lot shaved ice you may make until you buy extra molds.
Worth at time of publish: $90.
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 4.63 x 6.25 x 9 inches
- Materials: Plastic
- Features: Shaved ice
- Consists of: Tremendous and coarse blades, 4 ice molds with lids
Critical Eats / Russell Kilgore
The Competitors
- ZENY Ice Shaver Machine: This machine was good for snow cones, but it surely did not produce the fluffy shaved ice we wished (nor did it include ice molds).
- Hawaiian S900A Shaved Ice and Snow Cone Machine: This one by no means did end up the promised fluffy texture of shaved ice. We discovered it produced tiny ice chips slightly than shaved ice or snow cone ice.
- Nostalgia Snow Cone Shaved Ice Machine: Whereas this machine appears to be like retro-cool and did produce good shaved ice, we discovered it tedious to make use of and that the motor probably stalled out if the ice wasn’t pressed down far sufficient.
- Cuisinart Snow Cone Machine: The Cuisinart machine was straightforward to make use of and didn’t make any messes, however the title says all of it—it’s a snow cone maker, not a shaved ice machine.
- Time For Treats SnowFlake Snow Cone Maker: This hand-cranked contraption appears to be like extra like a toddler’s toy than a sensible instrument, and has the soundness as well.
- DASH Shaved Ice Maker: Testers discovered the DASH nearer to a crushed ice machine slightly than a shaved ice machine. Tremendous for cocktails, not so nice for shaved ice treats.
FAQs
How do you make shaved ice with no machine?
When you can toss some ice in a plastic bag and bash it with a meat pounder or rolling pin till you attain your required consistency, you’ll get a more in-depth approximation to the true factor by shaving a block of ice with a pointy knife. That is, nevertheless, neither protected nor particularly environment friendly, so that you’re more likely to discover your shavings melting away earlier than you accumulate sufficient to really use them. Plus, it’s horrible for the knife blade!
How a lot does a shaved ice machine price?
The costs of the shaved ice machines we examined ranged from $27 to $250, with a mean value of $79. Our favourite shaved ice machines each price beneath $100.
Why We are the Consultants
- To search out the very best shaved ice makers, we examined eight fashions—specializing in ones, for probably the most half, that promised each shaved ice and snow cones (who does not respect selection?). We spent about 16 hours evaluating these machines.
- Our favourite shaved ice makers have entered long-term testing and we’ll be updating this overview with any related findings from that quickly. (Senior commerce editor Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm has been massively having fun with the KitchenAid attachment—utilizing it for cocktails, mocktails, and extra.)
- Summer Rylander is a contract author and has written a number of gear opinions for Critical Eats, together with pellet grills, Traeger grills, and gas grills. She’s been writing for Critical Eats for over a yr.
Editor’s Observe
We could have acquired a number of the merchandise on this overview as press samples, however all of our opinions are our personal.