From the Cube to the Tube

Pam Moore was frustrated. Day after day, she would dutifully melt down countless ice cubes until they were small enough to squeeze through the narrow neck of her son’s sports bottle. Weary of this time-consuming, water-wasting chore, Moore decided to stop complaining and show some entrepreneurial spirit. Now, nearly two years later, she’s awash in orders for her Ice Tubes. That’s right, tubes.

It’s simple. Fill the 27-tube tray with water and freeze. To dislodge the tubes, unsnap the bottom, run the tray under warm water and poke the ice from the tubes. The cylindrical ice slides into your bottle. (It does take a bit of work to wrest the tubes from the tray, but it’s easier--and quicker--than chipping away at ice cubes or waiting for them to melt.)

Ice Tubes cost $3.99 and are available by mail order; call (877) ICE-TUBE or go online to https://www.icetubes.com.