With summer heating up, we’re all looking for ways to cool off. Today, I’ve got the Zoku Quick Pop Maker, a product that promises to create three frozen treats in just 7 minutes. I’ve had some good experiences with Zoku products in the past, so I was curious to see how this one would perform. Let’s see how it works in today’s review.
Zoku Quick Pop Maker Review
Where to Purchase
I picked up my Zoku Quick Pop Maker from Amazon for $60.
Unboxing and First Impressions
Upon unboxing, the unit felt quite heavy, likely due to the liquid inside that helps with the freezing process. The box includes the main unit, a super tool, six sticks, drip guards, two pour cups, and a character kit for making custom designs on your popsicles. The instructions mention that you need to pre-chill the unit before using it, and it can make up to nine pops before needing to be refrozen.
Setting Up and Freezing
I put the unit in the freezer for 24 hours to make sure it was properly chilled. The instructions provided a lot of tips and troubleshooting advice, which was helpful. However, there were some limitations on what you can use to make the pops—no artificial sweeteners, carbonated beverages, or plain water.
Making the Pops
Once the unit was ready, I started by inserting the sticks into the slots. I decided to use three different kinds of juice: apple, orange, and fruit punch. As soon as I poured the juice into the molds up to the fill line, I started a stopwatch to see how long it would actually take. The instructions say it should take between 7 to 9 minutes.
At the 7-minute mark, the apple juice pops weren’t quite ready, so I let them go a bit longer. After about 9 minutes, they seemed to be fully frozen. Using the “super tool” to extract the pops was straightforward—just screw it on and twist until the pop loosens and comes out. Each pop had a drip guard that snapped into place to keep things clean.
Taste Test
The apple juice pop tasted just like frozen apple juice. The orange and fruit punch pops were similarly straightforward in flavor. They all looked great and tasted refreshing. I was pleasantly surprised by how well they turned out.
Round 2
I decided to test the claim that multiple batches can be made before the unit needs to be refrozen, so I made another batch using fruit punch in all three slots. This time, it took around 16 minutes for the pops to freeze, confirming that it does take longer on subsequent batches.
For the second day, I wanted to try some more interesting flavors and techniques. I made a multi-flavored pop by freezing layers of different juices at an angle. I also tried using chocolate milk and a sweet coffee drink. The chocolate milk pop was reminiscent of a fudge bar, while the coffee pop turned out to be my favorite—rich and delicious, though probably not a typical choice for kids.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Cleaning the unit was a bit challenging. The instructions suggested just placing it back in the freezer without washing, but I opted to clean it after each use. I used a brush to get into the nooks and crannies, which worked well.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Zoku Quick Pop Maker performed as advertised. It was easy to use and produced quality popsicles quickly. While the second batch took a bit longer to freeze, it was still within a reasonable timeframe. The character creation aspect of the kit is a nice addition, though not essential to the core functionality of the product.
If you’re looking for a fun and efficient way to make popsicles this summer, the Zoku Quick Pop Maker is a solid choice. It’s versatile enough for various flavors and combinations, and the results are consistently good.
Have you tried this product or something similar? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.