Popsicle fans have likely seen the Zoku Quick Pop Maker: a clever device that produces multiple popsicles in a short time. It earns strong reviews, but its price—and the cost of accessories—can make it a big investment for casual users. While browsing discounted summer clearance at Target, I discovered a lower-cost alternative from Hamilton Beach and decided to test how it stacks up.
The Hamilton Beach FastPop Gourmet Pop Maker creates two popsicles at once and claims you can make up to three batches without refreezing the base. The removable base must be frozen for at least 12 hours before use and is built to retain cold so you can make several pops in succession. The unit includes reusable metal sleeves that hold and release the popsicles, multiple sticks, and funnel-shaped bases that keep sticks upright during freezing. The FastPop produces classic, single-bar shaped popsicles rather than the wider, flatter style produced by the Zoku.
On the first run the unit performed exactly as promised. The funnel bases made it easy to pour the mixture without spills and kept the sticks perfectly upright. The first pops were ready in about 10–12 minutes and popped out of the metal sleeves after a quick rinse under warm water. I replaced the sleeves and attempted a second batch, and this is where the performance changed: the second batch required almost 20 minutes and did not fully freeze at the very top. They still released without much trouble, but there was noticeable dripping that didn’t happen with the first round. The packaging did warn the second batch would take longer, but it became clear you couldn’t reliably get a third batch to freeze properly without re-freezing the base.
Further testing after additional refreezing confirmed that the strongest results come from the first batch. Chilling the popsicle mixtures beforehand—especially for subsequent batches—helps speed freezing and improves results. I’ll share the orange pops recipe soon; meanwhile you can experiment with coffee pops, strawberry margarita pops, or classic fudgsicles for variety.
Overall, the Hamilton Beach FastPop delivers on its basic promise: it makes quick, tasty homemade popsicles and is fun to use. Its limitation is that only the initial batch freezes quickly and reliably; follow-up batches require longer times and colder mixtures. For occasional popsicle makers who don’t mind the extra wait, traditional molds remain a perfectly suitable option. For anyone wanting fast results and frequent batches, a higher-end model or a strict routine of refreezing the base between rounds may be necessary. Still, the FastPop is an affordable, entertaining way to enjoy homemade ice pops without waiting hours for conventional molds to set.