Metal ice trays, common before the 1970s, featured aluminum construction and a lever system to release ice, but are largely discontinued in favor of flexible plastic trays that are easier to use, though some niche brands still offer vintage-style metal versions for durability and plastic-free living, often made from stainless steel. Descriptions highlight their sturdy build, the satisfying crack of the ice breaking, and the challenge of wrestling the handle when overfilled, a stark contrast to modern twist-and-release designs.

Key Features & Functionality (Classic Metal Trays)

Material: Aluminum or stainless steel, known for durability but not flexibility.

Design: Divided compartments with a central lever or handle.

Operation: Fill, freeze, then pull the lever to break and release the entire block of ice into cubes.

Pros (Nostalgic/Specific Uses): Durable, can make large cubes (good for slow melting), plastic-free.

Cons (Common Complaints): Difficult to extract ice if overfilled (freezes solid), can shatter ice, hard on hands, messy.

Why They Were Replaced

Inconvenience: The main reason was the struggle to get the ice out, often leading to shattered cubes or broken trays, making them "riggers fits" for many users, notes a Facebook post.

Plastic Innovation: Flexible plastic trays offered a simple twist-and-pop mechanism for perfect, intact cubes, which proved far more user-friendly, say posts on the dull men's club facebook group and the new york times wirecutter.