Last Updated on July 14, 2026 by Susanna Zuyeva
Have you ever poured a cold drink, dropped in some ice, and then tasted something odd? That weird taste is not your drink. It’s your ice. Bad ice trays soak up freezer smells. Then they pass those smells into your water, soda, or coffee.
I got tired of this problem. So I bought several ice cube trays. I used them in my own freezer for weeks. I checked which ones kept smells out. I checked which ones were easy to clean. I checked which ones made ice fast and popped out clean cubes every time.
This guide shares what I found. I’ll walk you through my top three picks. I’ll explain why each one works. I’ll also answer common questions at the end.
Our Expertise
I care about small kitchen tools that make daily life easier. Ice trays seem simple. But the wrong one can ruin your drinks for months.
For this guide, I:
- Bought and used each tray in my own home freezer
- Made ice with plain tap water and also with strong-smelling foods nearby (onions, garlic, leftover fish)
- Timed how long each tray took to freeze solid ice
- Tested how easy it was to pop cubes out
- Washed each tray by hand and in the dishwasher
- Smelled and tasted the ice after each freeze cycle
I am not a food scientist. I am a regular home cook who wanted better ice. This guide comes from real use, not guesswork.
How I Tested These Trays
I used the same freezer for every tray. I kept the freezer temperature steady. I filled each tray with the same tap water. I placed onions and leftover takeout right next to the trays for two days. Then I checked the ice.
I looked for three things:
- Smell. Did the ice pick up any freezer odor?
- Taste. Did the ice change the taste of plain water?
- Ease of use. Was it simple to fill, freeze, and empty?
I also washed each tray five times. I checked for stains, cracks, or lingering smells in the silicone or plastic.
Our Top Picks
Here are my three favorite ice cube trays that keep ice fresh and smell-free.
- DOQAUS Ice Cube Tray with Lid and Bin – Best overall pick
- OXO Good Grips Ice Cube Tray – Best for easy release
- Tvmania Ice Cube Trays Set of 2 – Best budget bundle
Let’s look at each one in detail.
1. DOQAUS Ice Cube Tray with Lid and Bin
This was my favorite of the three. It comes as a full kit. You get four silicone trays, a storage bin, and a scoop. Everything stacks together. This saved a lot of space in my small freezer.
Product Features
- 4-pack of silicone ice cube trays
- Comes with a lid, storage bin, and scoop
- Stackable design
- BPA-free silicone and plastic
- Dishwasher safe (top rack)
What I Like
- The stacking design fit well in my cramped apartment freezer.
- The lids kept smells away, even next to strong foods.
- The scoop made it easy to move ice into a glass or cooler.
- Cubes popped out with a simple push from the bottom.
Why It’s Better
Most trays are just trays. This one gives you a full storage system. You freeze the ice, then pop the cubes into the bin. The bin lid seals well enough to block smells, even though the tray lids allow some airflow.
This means you always have ready-to-use ice. You don’t need to keep refilling a small tray every day.
How It Performed
I froze water next to raw onions for 48 hours. The ice stayed clear. It had no onion smell or taste. The cubes released easily. I did not need to run the tray under water or twist it hard.
Freeze time was normal, about 4 to 6 hours for solid cubes.
How I Clean It
I hand-washed the trays after each use. I also ran them through the dishwasher top rack once a week. They came out clean each time. No stains. No lingering smell in the silicone.
Testing Results
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Smell resistance | Excellent |
| Taste of ice | Clean, neutral |
| Ease of release | Very easy |
| Cleaning | Simple, dishwasher safe |
| Space saving | Great (stackable) |
2. OXO Good Grips Ice Cube Tray
OXO makes solid kitchen tools. This tray fits that pattern. It has a sliding lid. You slide it to release just a few cubes, or all of them.
Product Features
- 2-pack white ice cube tray
- Sliding lid for cube release
- Round-shaped ice cubes
- BPA-free plastic
- Dishwasher safe
What I Like
- The sliding lid is a smart design. You control how many cubes come out.
- The round cubes look nice in drinks.
- The lid blocks odors well since it snaps down flat.
- The tray felt sturdy, not flimsy like some plastic trays.
Why It’s Better
Many trays force you to flex the whole tray to get cubes out. This one uses a sliding lid instead. You twist and slide, and the cubes drop free. This means less mess and less spilled water.
The tight-fitting lid also does a great job blocking freezer smells. This was one of the best performers in my smell test.
How It Performed
I tested this tray next to leftover fish in the freezer. After two days, the ice had no fish smell. The taste stayed clean. The sliding release worked well, though it took a little practice at first.
How I Clean It
This tray is dishwasher safe. I washed it by hand a few times too. It cleaned up fast with warm water and soap. No cracks or stains after weeks of use.
Testing Results
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Smell resistance | Excellent |
| Taste of ice | Clean, neutral |
| Ease of release | Good (learning curve) |
| Cleaning | Very easy |
| Cube shape | Neat, round cubes |
3. Tvmania Ice Cube Trays Set of 2
This set is a great budget option. You get two trays, each holding 15 cubes. That’s 30 cubes total. Each tray comes with its own lid.
Product Features
- Set of 2 silicone trays with lids
- 15 cubes per tray (30 total)
- Heat-resistant, safe from -40°F to 428°F
- BPA-free silicone
- Stackable design
What I Like
- Great value. You get two full trays for a low price.
- The lids seal tightly, which helped block smells.
- Cubes are a good size for whiskey or cocktails.
- Trays are flexible, so cubes pop out with a light twist.
Why It’s Better
This tray gives you more cubes per batch than most sets. The lid seals tighter than some cheaper trays I’ve tried in the past. That tight seal is the reason this tray kept smells out so well during testing.
It’s also freezer and microwave safe, so you can use the same tray for other frozen treats, like fruit purees or small desserts.
How It Performed
I ran the same onion and fish smell test on this tray. The ice came out clean both times. The twist-and-pop release worked well, though a few stubborn cubes needed an extra twist.
How I Clean It
I hand-washed this tray and also tested the dishwasher. Both worked fine. The silicone stayed flexible and did not hold onto smells after washing.
Testing Results
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Smell resistance | Very good |
| Taste of ice | Clean, slight silicone smell on first use only |
| Ease of release | Good (light twist needed) |
| Cleaning | Easy, dishwasher safe |
| Value | Excellent |
Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Cube Count | Odor Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| DOQAUS Tray with Bin | Overall use, storage | 4 trays + bin | Excellent |
| OXO Good Grips | Easy release | 2 trays | Excellent |
| Tvmania Set of 2 | Budget, bulk ice | 30 cubes | Very good |
How to Keep Your Ice Smell-Free (Bonus Tips)
Even the best tray can pick up smells if you don’t take a few extra steps. Here’s what worked for me:
- Use a sealed lid. Trays without lids soak up smells fast.
- Keep strong foods wrapped. Wrap onions, garlic, and fish tightly before freezing them.
- Change your ice often. Don’t let cubes sit for weeks. Fresh ice tastes better.
- Clean your tray weekly. Old water residue can turn sour over time.
- Store ice in a separate bin. Move cubes into a sealed container once frozen.
Final Thoughts
All three trays did a good job blocking smells. But if I had to pick just one, I’d go with the DOQAUS Ice Cube Tray with Lid and Bin. It gave me the most storage, the cleanest ice, and the easiest daily use.
If you want a simple, sturdy option, the OXO Good Grips Tray is a smart pick. And if you need a lot of ice on a budget, the Tvmania Set of 2 delivers great value.
Whichever one you pick, your drinks will taste better. No more mystery freezer smell in your water or cocktails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does my ice taste bad?
A: Ice often picks up smells from food stored nearby. Old trays without lids let odors soak in. A sealed tray helps stop this.
Q: Are silicone ice trays better than plastic ones?
A: Silicone trays flex easily, so cubes pop out fast. They also resist stains. Plastic trays can be sturdier but sometimes crack over time.
Q: How often should I wash my ice cube tray?
A: Wash it at least once a week. If you notice any smell or residue, wash it right away.
Q: Can I put these trays in the dishwasher?
A: Yes. All three trays in this guide are dishwasher safe. I tested each one in the dishwasher myself.
Q: Do lids really stop freezer smells?
A: Yes, in my tests, tightly sealed lids blocked smells much better than open trays.
Q: How long does it take for ice to freeze in these trays?
A: In my tests, most trays took about 4 to 6 hours for solid cubes, depending on freezer temperature.
Q: Are these trays safe for cocktails and whiskey?
A: Yes. All three are BPA-free and made for food and drink use, including cocktails and whiskey.