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Shopping for any new kitchen accessory requires some thought, even something as simple as ice lolly moulds. In this part of the guide we’ll go over the main features to assess, such as size, capacity and material, so you can weigh up the benefits of each before you buy.
Firstly, think about who you will be making the lollies for. Do you want a sufficient portion for adults, a lolly small enough for little hands, or even a miniature treat for baby? On top of that, you’ll have to decide on the number of portions produced by the mould. Let’s take a look at what’s available.
Because moulds can come in many different shapes, it can be hard to figure out how much you’re actually getting and what the exact measurements are, so we’ll list our recommendations per lolly in millilitres. Keep the following numbers in mind – they'll also help to ensure any recipes you follow have the correct quantities for your mould.
On the other hand, some varieties can produce up to 10 lollies, so make sure to note the amount and suss out how much room in your freezer you can dedicate. Of course, you can always go for a larger mould to give you the option of both, only filling up a couple of lollies worth or utilising the entire set as you need.
Depending on your budget and other factors such as frequency of use and preference of buying an eco-friendly product, you’ll want to consider the material of the mould. Here are the main varieties to mull over.
Silicone is very hardy and there’s little chance of splitting, but it's still pretty low-cost, making it a great option for those wanting the best of both worlds. Sometimes cheaper silicone can affect the taste of the lolly, but this should dissipate after a couple of washes.
They do have the possibility of cracking, however, especially as you may find yourself having to whack them on the kitchen counter to try and get your lolly out. While easy to clean, they're also susceptible to staining over time, which will be more apparent with clear moulds.
That being said, if you only want a mould for occasional use or you can find a high-quality brand, you may find the appealing price outweighs these points.
They’re also a more eco-friendly option for those avoiding buying plastic. Do bear in mind that they usually come with single-use disposable wooden sticks, so look for reusable options if waste is a concern.
Steel moulds are usually a bit more expensive initially, but if you’re happy to invest in something to keep around and plan on using your mould frequently, they could be a good choice.
Another type of mould to consider is a stickless push-up tube, similar to the freeze pops or ice pops you may have bought from the corner shop as as a kid. This variety is probably the most practical to store, as unlike traditional lollies they don’t require a stand to stay upright and can be placed in the freezer individually.
Think about the shape not only in relation to who they might appeal to, but how easy or difficult they may be to eat. For example, a cylindrical or tube lolly will much better fit small children’s mouths than a chunky pallet, and can even appeal to those who have teeth problems or swelling in the mouth.
Whilst this won’t be a necessary feature for push-up tube lollies, look out for it in any moulds with a stick that you hold upright as it really does make a difference!
As well as making cleaning up less of a hassle, this is can be especially helpful if you want to make a lot of thicker milk- or cream-based lollies. Likewise, if the mould is intricately-shaped there are more nooks and crannies for debris to get into, which a dishwasher can make shorter work of.
The latter of these designs will mean that you can make a full batch even if you don’t require them all immediately, and simply store the remaining lollies in the freezer outside of their stand-up mould to save a bit of space.
They also come with cute colour-coded tops, which allow you to mix and match a few different flavours without confusion. The bamboo sticks provided are reusable and completely biodegradable, so this is a great eco-conscious buy. You can also remove each lolly and store it separately.
Overall, these moulds are a good size for both kids and adults, they're easy to store, and they're dishwasher-safe, but they are a bit on the pricey side for a pack of four.
To make approx 450 ml of mixture (which will fill 6x 100 ml moulds with a gap for expansion during the freezing process):
Blend together:
Then, simply pour into moulds and freeze until firm.
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Author: Natasha Dziubajlo
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