LOUISVILLE, Ky.— January 7, 2019—FirstBuild, a global co-creation community backed by GE Appliances, a Haier company, will unveil its latest innovation in ice, the Forge’s heated press, at CES 2019. As thoughtfully crafted as the bourbon produced in its home state of Kentucky, Forge was designed for use in the homes of bourbon connoisseurs and by professional bartenders and mixologists for an upscale whiskey experience.
“We worked alongside whiskey experts and enthusiasts to bring the luxury of ice spheres into kitchens, home bars and the finest tasting rooms,” said Larry Portaro, executive director of FirstBuild. “Our initial small batch of the Forge press will be produced in Louisville, KY—the heart of bourbon country and location of FirstBuild’s state-of-the-art microfactory.”
Spherical ice has become the gold standard for discriminating bourbon palates. Because it melts slowly and chills liquid quickly, it preserves flavor and enhances the sipping experience. Until now, achieving a transparent sphere was a time-consuming process, especially in the home bar.
Forge uses a heated press to shape clear blocks of ice into Instagram-worthy spheres for a sophisticated appearance that matches its sleek exterior.
FirstBuild is also working on a later release of a countertop clear ice maker to accompany the ice press.
“The FirstBuild community, which is central to everything we do, wanted us to create a product to elevate their entertainment experience,” Portaro said. “We continue to engage our community in co-creation of the Forge Clear Ice System so we can deliver a product they’ll love.”
Forge is the latest among FirstBuild’s unexpected and widely appreciated line of products that also includes the fan-favorite Opal Nugget Ice Maker™ and the in-home, ventless pizza oven that is now marketed and available through the Monogram® brand.
Not yet available in stores, Forge’s heated press will be available for bourbon enthusiasts to pre-order in early 2019. Forge’s Clear Ice Maker is slated to begin small-batch production later in the year.
Stop by to see it in action at the Haier/GE Appliances 2019 CES booth located at LVCC, Central Hall - 11128, where the Forge heated press will be demonstrated in the Monogram kitchen suite.
Learn more about Forge and sign up to receive product updates here: https://www.ForgeClearIce.com.
About FirstBuild
FirstBuild is a global co-creation community backed by GE Appliances, a Haier company, that harnesses the power of the maker movement to change the way major home appliances are conceived, designed and manufactured. With centers of excellence in Louisville, Kentucky, Shanghai, China, and Hyderabad, India, as well as an online community of more than 30,000 individuals, FirstBuild quickly delivers better products that improve the lives of consumers. For more information about how to get involved, visit FirstBuild.com.
About GE Appliances
GE Appliances, a Haier company, creates “good things, for life” through our passion for great appliances and the happiness they can bring to every household. With the Hotpoint, GE®, Haier, Café™, GE Profile™ and Monogram® brands, owners have more choices for making their kitchens and homes amazing each day. Our products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners and water-filtration systems. For more information, visit www.geappliances.com/our-company.