We have all been there: eventually ice cubes melt and that 10-year-old Glenfiddich single malt you’d been looking forward to becomes diluted and loses its punch. But, it doesn’t just go for whisky. No matter what you’re drinking, eventually your ice cubes melt and your refreshment of choice turns tepid. But as summer approaches, a new stainless steel invention is on its way: the rechargeable ice cube.
The ‘Puc’
The creation is a stainless steel ‘Puc’ that ‘tunes’ your drink to the perfect temperature. The idea is that you take the Pucs and place them in your freezer along with the little wooden holder. Once they are cold, you can then pull one out and drop it into your drink.
The inventors behind the project say one will add an install chill to your drink while adding additional Pucs will drop the temperature of your drink even further, allowing you to customise the temperature.
The inventors, Dave and Calvin Laituri have created and developed hundreds of award-winning products for startups and international Fortune 500 companies alike, including Apple, HP, Nike and GM. Between them they hold over 40 US and international patents. Calvin Laituri invented his first product when he was 6, and has been creating one thing or another ever since. He is a talented sketch artist, photographer, videographer and a student of Wayland High School.
They say, “A set of Pucs will chill steadily, evenly, and stay cool for quite a while – without the added water or unwanted flavors of tap water ice. Pucs’ size gives you the flexibility to add 1, 2, 3 or more to ‘tune’ your chill to the desired temperature, as well as accommodate for different drink volumes. For some, one Puc will be enough, others will prefer three – you decide. The softened Puc shape maximizes surface area while protecting your glassware.”
Hot and cold
“Precision machined from solid stainless steel, Pucs are 100% inert, will not add or subtract from the flavor your drink in any way, will not absorb smells or flavors from your freezer, will not degrade…or dissolve. Clean them with soap and water then send them to the freezer to re-chill. Think of Pucs as rechargeable ‘thermal batteries!” Pucs will come in sets of 6 in either a solid Black Walnut or Maple case, keeping them organized and cool if they are out and about. “We use FSC sourced hardwoods throughout to assure responsible forestry practices; environmental thoughtfulness is baked into everything we do.”
Interestingly, Pucs also work with hot drinks. They are an excellent excess heat absorber according to the duo. Two Pucs will lower the temperature of a small coffee from 160°F to a much more manageable, drinkable 142°F in about a minute. Over time, all of that absorbed heat is returned to the coffee, extending the drinkable range for longer.
The future
The pair have set up Onehundred, a collection of projects within a project: 100 products, designed and produced within 100 miles of their HQ, 100% supported by crowd funding, with the aim to utilise the amazing manufacturing talents found in New England. They have already raised $39,563 from 819 backers and I am sure there is more interest on the horizon.
Without a doubt, these inventors are certainly worth keeping an eye on in the coming years. In the meantime, it’s good news for us whisky drinkers.
