This is arguably the best gadget I've bought in the last couple of years. It allows you to get creative and produce your own-flavoured ice lollies, as you watch, in under ten minutes. It is PERFECT for our two-year-old daughter who loves it. It's on a par with baking cakes in her eyes!
The device is dinkier than it looks in the photos and doesn't take up much room in the freezer. It must be cooled down properly first - we left ours in the freezer for 24 hours, where it remains as a permanent feature ready to go anytime. After that, grab child and ask what they want. We started with Coca-Cola and Lemonade lollies (groan). You get it out of the freezer and pour the lemonade, juice, milk, whatever, into the two lolly-shaped slots. The lollies start freezing instantly from the outside inwards. Then quickly put the supplied plastic lolly-sticks in and wait for it all to freeze up! Eight minutes later we had two perfectly-formed lollies! Our little one cackles with delight throughout and the speed at which the lollies are made means she can have her choice of flavour immediately. No overnight preparation needed, they can be made anytime. Great stuff.
The frozen lollies are very easy to extract because the supplied sticks have screw threads hidden in their handles. When the lollies are ready, you use the supplied green tool to screw into the base of the lolly stick and the twisting action lifts the lolly out. Not much force is required - our two-year-old can nearly do it on her own already.
We can usually make a further pair of lollies immediately afterwards. A third pair is possible but takes quite a bit longer to freeze at this point.
If you are making lollies out of fizzy drinks then you get better results if the fizzy drink has gone flat. Whilst it's still all fizzed up, you get thousands of tiny air bubbles in the lolly which means it's not quite as good (albeit I still enjoyed them). Flat drinks = better lollies. Despite the warnings, we've had no problems using sugar-free Coke or lemonade - which is good news to prevent the creation of sugared-up kids. If you do use stuff which still has its fizz, then only half-fill the lolly slot to begin with as the fluid expands greatly during the freezing process and can overflow (this makes it difficult to extract the lolly). Fill up fizzy stuff in stages whilst you're still getting the feel of things.
Whilst you can use milk or cordials, my absolute favourites are the lollies made out of fruit juices. Tesco's normal cartons of orange, apple or cranberry juice are perfect. The lollies are fantastic and taste wonderful. They're as good as, if not better, than the ones you buy.
Our little one loves making combos though. For instance, it's easy to make your own rocket lollies. Fill just a third of the slot with orange juice, wait two minutes for that to freeze, fill the second third with Vimto, wait for that to freeze, final third with Coca-Cola. Hey presto, your own orange, red and black rocket lolly. I do it with fruit juices and the little one prefers the fizzy drinks.
Cleaning is made easier by defrosting. Leave it out overnight then you can clean it in under a minute. Lollies are made quicker if the drinks are already chilled. Oh, and dad has enjoyed making some alcohol-based lollies, too!
Given this gadget has stood the test of time with our daughter, then we might investigate some of the creative kits that allow you to really go to town on the lolly design.
If you like your lollies - no matter what your age - then this device will earn its keep, allow you to make the lollies you want, and will generate enormous brownie points for mum and dad.
| Merk | Zoku |
|---|---|
| Modelnummer | ZK107 |
| Kleur | Groen |
| Productafmetingen | 14.61 x 12.07 x 11.43 cm; 453.59 gram |
| Capaciteit | 2 Ounces (Brits-Amerikaans maatsysteem) |
| Material | Kunststof |
| Automatische uitschakeling | Nee |
| Fabrikant | Zoku |
| Modelnummer item | ZK107 |
| ASIN | B00560V6SE |
| Gegarandeerde software-updates tot | unknown |
