About Ice Tongs

Ice tongs have been in production for centuries. They are in use for transporting ice in factories and from ice houses and ice boxes, as well as from buckets into alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. These tools have various shapes and special designs. When you are trying to move a large or small piece of ice, they are very slippery. With ice tongs, you can move several different sizes without loosing your grip.

Definition

Ice tongs come in multiple designs, shapes and sizes. These tools are for serving ice cubes in bars or at parties.They have also been useful in moving large blocks of ice. The larger tongs are made to be able to pick up blocks of ice without difficulty. If you were to move a large block of ice by hand, it may slip from your grip and damage the truck or injure you.

History

Ice tongs were in production in the middle of the 1800s. They were in use until the1930s when refrigerators were invented. These types of tongs were important for transporting ice from rivers and lakes to customers' homes. Only during the cold seasonal months could ice be taken from the fresh waters. The most wealthy and sophisticated could only afford ice from these supply companies. Throughout the years, businesses began ice houses, which used tongs to move the ice from the factories at first to the wagons then trucks for delivery. The homeowners found these tools useful in placing their ice blocks into their icebox. The icebox opened from the back and the block was placed inside. These iceboxes were mostly made out of wood in the beginning. Later, metal casings were in production. The ice kept the food chilled and homes cooled.

After the development of the refrigerator, ice tongs were only in use in factories and meat departments for the transportation of large blocks of ice. However, smaller forms of these tongs were designed for homes, taverns and bars. They were the same type of design; nevertheless, they were easily placed inside ice buckets to serve cold drinks. Nowadays, you can purchase several styles of ice buckets and ice tongs for your next party. Collectors of the original ice tongs still look for various antique assortments.

Identification

Antique ice tongs were mostly made in cast iron because ice blocks could be extremely heavy and cast iron does not easily bend under their weight. The early tongs were round in shape with a two sharp edges like small daggers. Later, ice tongs were developed with ridges on each side to grab the ice more effectively without chips breaking off.

The tongs for serving ice from a bucket are different. They have a V shape and are attached on one side with a type of spring action. Ice tongs can be bought in plastic, silver, cast iron and rubber. The method in which they pick up ice varies for each style. Some have small spoon-like shapes while others have serrated edges. You can also find ice tongs with rubber stoppers and cup-like gripping devices.

Operation

Antique ice tongs were simple to use, but difficult to grip. You would take the tong in both of your hands, swing it open on the screw swivel where it was open completely and then stab the ends into each side of the ice block. You would need to stab the pick into the middle of the block to be effective. Then you lifted the ice block with the handle and transported it to the destination.

With modern day ice tongs, just pick up the tongs in one hand. Find the piece of ice you want to use in your drink. Then press the tong together for a gripping action. Place the ice in your glass and then release the pressure you had on the ice tong.

Resolution

If you want to collect antique ice tongs, you can try antique stores, flea markets or second-hand stores. Search newspaper ads in the antique section. EBay, antique dealers and other auction houses can help you purchase these items. The prices range from $20 to $150.

Bucket ice tongs can also be purchased at different department stores in your area as well as online resources. The price range on these items varies widely. You can purchase an ordinary ice tong for between $10 to $300 dollars. The higher prices are for ice tongs with sterling silver and special designs. These would be useful in a top-notch bar or a fancy dinner party.

Resources

• Antique Mystique
• Bergdorf Goodmen