Trying to choose the best ice ball maker can be tough, right?
It sure can! There are so many different makes and models out there, all with different features. How do you know which one is right for you?
We've got you covered. In this article, we compare five of the best ice ball makers on the market. We'll help you figure out which one is perfect for your needs.
There are a few factors to consider when purchasing an ice ball maker:
- You'll want to ensure that the model you choose is the right size for your needs. If you entertain often, you'll want a larger model that can make multiple ice balls.
- You'll want to consider the material the ice ball maker is made from. Some models are made from plastic, while others are made from silicone or stainless steel. Stainless steel models tend to be more durable, but they also tend to be more expensive. Silicone can be more forgiving on removing the ice ball.
- You'll want to think about how easy the ice ball maker is to use.
Some models require that you pre-freeze the mold, while others allow you to simply fill the mold with water and put it in the freezer. Choose the model that best suits your needs and budget.
Standard Ice cubes begin to melt immediately. The drink might not be all that good because it may be already watered down at the point it makes it to your guest. We've noted customers often love sphere ice as it isn't as prone to dilute as other types of ice.
This is particularly the case with crystal clear sphere ice, which does not contain cloudy ice's rapidly melting air pockets. However, the stunning globes mixologists carve at the top craft cocktail bars aren't ideal for your home bar. If you're at home, you'll want the sphere you can easily pull out of your freezer, thanks to an ice mold that has completed the job.
It's a bit more difficult to do than say. It doesn't matter if it's silicone models, plastic bases, pull-apart balls, or something else more complex the different technologies that make up spherical ice molds are all imperfect. Human error could be a potential cause of the poor technology.
There's no assurance that any spherical ice mold will produce an equilateral, perfectly round, dimple-free, undulating ice sphere. Fortunately, many drinks you'll drink will be dark and cover up the imperfections of the ice ball.
Although no ice mold can be perfect, we researched extensively, which resulted in the top five of the most popular sphere-shaped ice molds to determine those that freeze efficiently, create an appealing sphere, do not retain flavors, and are easy to utilize.
5 Best Ice Ball Makers
What We Like:
- Easy to use.
- Quick cooling.
- Great for cocktails.
Tovolo is a stackable ice ball mold that's durable and strong because of its sturdy plastic material. This affordable product allows you to freeze good-sized ice balls in as little as four to six hours. The mold has a line that indicates how much water you can pour.
Tovolo Sphere Ice Molds are the perfect way to keep your drinks cold for hours. With a large 2.5" sphere size, you can use these cubes to chill your favorite low- or highball glasses. Globes chill drinks quickly without melting for a long-lasting, refreshing drink. And the tight-fitting lid seals out odors and allows stacking so you can store multiple silicone ice trays in one place.
The only problem is that this set of two only makes two ice spheres at once. You will need to buy multiple sets if you plan to invite guests.
These Tovolo Sphere Ice Molds are the perfect way to add a touch of class to your next party or event. Each mold makes two large spheres of ice that will keep your drinks cold, and your guests impressed. The molds are easy to use, clean, and durable enough to last for many uses. Whether you're hosting a formal gathering or a casual get-together, these molds will help you create a memorable event.
What We Like:
- Affordable.
- BPA-free.
- Perfectly round ice balls.
- Silicone mold for useable for different liquids.
Serving ice balls is a great way to add a unique twist to your drinks, and this mold makes it easy. With its flexible design and solid construction, you can be sure that your ice will be strong enough for even the most demanding drinks. Plus, the silicone material means that the molds are safe for use with all sorts of liquids – from cocktails to iced coffee!
Handmade in America, Glacio's sphere ice mold is perfect for any occasion where you want an extra special touch on your drink. Order some today and start adding flair to your favorite beverages!
One of their customers, a bar manager, says, "I have personal experience with a brand named Glacio and can attest to its functionality."
Four 2.5-inch spheres can be made from one tray. This is enough to make a round with friends. With its non-stick coating, the mold will produce perfect-sized ice balls every time. With its capacity to hold four bags of ice, it is perfect for parties or making fresh drinks at home. In addition to that, it is also dishwasher safe and easy to clean. By investing in this product, you won't have to waste a lot of money on buying ice every time you go out!
What We Like:
- BPA free.
- Comes in 6 pack.
- 2.5-inch crystal clear ice balls.
- Occasion enough to make drinks last longer.
- Ideal for drinks like whisky, bourbon, vodka, scotch, rum, etc.
This is an excellent ice ball mold for whiskey and other alcoholic drinks. This mold makes six spherical balls of ice individually at once, so you can keep your favorite drink chilled without making too many cubes. Plus, they're BPA-free, so they're safe for use in the freezer or dishwasher.
These premium ice ball molds are simply amazing! They are perfect for making large crystal clear ice balls that can be used in various ways. Whether you want to use them for drinks, decoration, or just to have them on hand for a hot summer day, these molds will definitely come in handy. The best part is that they are very easy to use and clean, so you'll always be able to enjoy them.
Ice sphere molds make them look like a ball, which is the perfect way to add some chill to your drink without watering it down. You can also use these ice ball molds for making frozen treats or simply chilling out with friends! The best part is that they're BPA-free and reusable, making them eco-friendly. Pick up this pack of 6 at an affordable price from Bella Amazing.
What We Like:
- Made in the USA.
- A set of 4 makes 2.5-inch ice balls.
- Durable.
- Ice cubes are amazing.
These round ice cube molds are perfect for making large spheres of ice that will slowly melt in your drink, keeping it cold without watering it down. The molds are made of silicone, so they're flexible and easy to release the ice from, and they're also leakproof and have tight sealing lids to prevent spills. They're perfect for making neat whiskey, scotch, or bourbon on the rocks.
Made of silicone, these molds create big spheres of ice that will keep your drink cold without watering it down. They have a tight seal to prevent leaks and easily pop out when frozen. Get a set of four individual molds and impress your friends at your next gathering!
Once you've tried the perfect ice sphere, your drink will never be the same. The uniquely designed silicone ice ball mold has been proven to produce a more enjoyable drinking experience for whiskey and scotch drinkers by keeping the taste of the drink front and center.
What We Like:
- Easy to Use.
- Non-toxic, no smell, BPA-free, food-grade material.
- Makes 66 mini ice balls in total.
- Comes with two trays, a container, and a mini scoop.
Wibimen round ice cube tray with lid and bin is the best choice for frozen treats. The round ice balls release easily in just 4 hours, making them perfect for parties or Sunday brunch.
Handcrafted from BPA-free plastic, these trays are durable and safe to use. Mold fits tightly over cubes to ensure a perfect seal, so your ice will be fresh each time.
The Wibimen round ice cube tray transforms your favorite drink into an instant frozen treat.
Once the mold is out of the freezer, press down on the lid with one hand, and with the other hand, twist to release the ice, making it easy to remove.
Dishwasher safe! Plus, they come in a convenient storage container that makes cleanup a breeze. This is the best ice cube maker for multiple mini ice balls, and this can replace the regular ice cubes most of us have in our freezer. So depending on how many ice balls you want to make, this could be a great option.
What To Consider Before Buying The Most Effective Ice Ball Mold
If you are looking for the top maker of ice balls, you must first consider the following aspects. It is possible to research the materials, their dimensions, and the number of ice balls produced. Check out my helpful buying guide below to find out more.
Volume and Size
A lot of households don't have a designated space for molds for ice balls and trays or don't provide enough freezer space. Certain ice makers are in trays, whereas others are sold as individuals. If you cannot find enough freezer space, I suggest you buy molds that can be stacked to make space.
Capacity is another important element to be considered. Remember that a larger piece of ice might take longer to freeze completely. If you choose smaller trays, it will be possible to quickly freeze the water, but the ice will be smaller. It is possible to think about the duration of freezing for your molds. It may be less effective if you don't have enough tray space.
There's a clear trade-off in this. If you opt for smaller trays that have smaller ice balls, they'll be more likely to melt. The most important thing to take into consideration when deciding on the size of the tray is your drink habits and how often you'll be able to be using the sphere-shaped ice.
Material
Ice trays are made from stainless steel, plastic, or silicone. Certain ice trays may contain a mixture of these substances.
Steel is durable; however, it doesn't have an ideal round shape. Since it's a tough material, getting rid of the ice crystals can be difficult.
The most straightforward material to remove the ice is silicone because it's flexible. However, it may retain odors, particularly if you intend to use it to freeze juice or flavor Ice balls. I suggest washing immediately after using.
Plastic molds for ice, on the contrary, may break as time passes. They also smell; however, they aren't as bad as silicone molds. There is a possibility that you will have difficulty getting rid of the ice ball using molds made of plastic.
The majority of the sphere-shaped Ice makers I have listed are made from silicone, plastic, or a combination of both. They're all BPA-free and dishwasher-safe, which makes them safe for use.
Design
Standard Ice makers made of spheres are available in different designs and styles. They remain a tray style, but they come with several molds. However, these are mostly decorative ice ball molds because of their numerous styles and colors.
Additional Features
Ice ball makers can appear to be easy devices that just require filling them with ice. However, there are many aspects to take into consideration in order to make perfect balls. Each mold and tray are definitely distinctive. However, there are additional features these ice ball makers could possess:
Is it leakproof?
It is essential that the mold, or the tray, you pick is leakproof. Look for ones that have locks or snaps to keep the mold pieces together. Twist-on and snap-on lids can be among the top designs because they keep liquids out when you turn the mold.
Stability
Don't wish to go through the hassle of having to move your tray after you've filled them with water before they're placed into the freezer.
Molds made of silicone with flat bottoms provide more stability than round bottoms. It is also possible to find molds with additional "feet" to prevent collapse or tilting. The flat lids and tops offer extra stability, as you can place other objects on top of them.
Shape
Most ice ball molds are usually circular and can be found in Ice cube trays. Certain molds create ice balls that have an extra wiggle. A Three-dimensional Skull Ice Mold is one example. It is an intriguing option you could consider. Ice molds with distinctive shapes are perfect for events that are themed.
Funnels
Some ice ball trays include funnels in the molds. Funnels are used to control how much water flows when you pour it into the mold, creating less mess.
Trays
Ice tray trays are able to make up to six ice balls simultaneously. They're an excellent choice when you need to make numerous Ice balls. They can also be used to make ice cubes as ice balls.
Storage
Storage-wise, The individual, stackable ice ball molds can make use of vertical space. However, individual molds require much more work to refill and stack than tray containers.
Tray-style ice molds that make numerous ice balls produce additional ice within the time needed for filling the molds. They're a more practical alternative than separate molds when you are looking for your cooler to be filled with frozen ice.
But if you'll not keep ice-ball molds inside the freezer all the time, be sure to have enough storage space to store the molds when they're not used.
Molds made of hard ice are ideal for freezer storage as they can be stacked without falling over or tipping them. When using silicones, you could end up squeezing them and creating a mess if you place additional items over them. Make sure to keep this in mind as you are storing silicone molds.
Best Ice Ball Maker FAQs
Does boiling water produce transparent ice?
The truth is that it's not as easy. It may make the ice a bit more transparent than the original; however, it doesn't make a significant difference regarding targeted freezing.
Are ice balls better than cubes?
Spherical ice shows a smaller surface area when compared to a cube of ice. So, even if you've got a cube of the same amount as a sphere, it will have a lesser surface. Therefore, a slow-melting sphere is more appealing than cubes of ice.
Do I really need an ice sphere maker?
Ice spheres are worth the cost. You can enjoy having the ice balls available for your parties. They're also perfect for sipping whiskey.
Is it better to utilize a silicone ice mold over a plastic?
Molds made of silicone expand when they are filled with water as they are frozen. This decreases the risk of mold breaking. Silicone spheres are dishwasher-safe and BPA-free.
Molds made of plastic, in contrast, could break. The drawback to silicone is that it can retain odors more effectively than molds for ice balls made of plastic.
How do I find the most efficient method to fill the mold of an ice ball?
The method you use to fill the mold will be contingent on the shape of your tray. Most molds come with an unattachable top and bottom. It is possible to pour water inside the upper part of the mold when the two parts are connected. Some mold designs include a cup filled with water and then sealing it with the cover.
What is the secret behind making the perfect spherical ice?
The most effective method to create perfect Ice spheres is by filling each mold with the correct amount of ice. When you put these in your freezer, keep them straight and allow plenty of time to cool. This can lead to perfect round ice balls.
How do I choose the ideal size for ice balls to drink?
Spheres measuring approximately 2.5 inches are perfect for classic rock glasses. This size offers enough space for your drink to melt slowly without overdoing it.
Are ice balls good in whiskey?
Ice balls can be beneficial to whiskey. Ice balls can keep your whiskey cool; however, their slow melting properties keep its flavor from being quickly diluted.
Are the ice balls better than the cubes of ice?
Yes, Ice balls are more effective than cubes of ice. A cube of ice melts more quickly than an ice cube of the same size and area, which dilutes the distilled spirit more quickly.
When does an ice ball made of whiskey need to be frozen?
It is estimated that the whiskey ball requires approximately four hours to melt. The estimated time can vary based on the environmental conditions and the type of water used. If the conditions are right, hot water can freeze more quickly than warm and cold water.
Final Thoughts
We hope this article has clarified which ice ball maker you want in your home. All of the options we presented can be great; it just comes down to personal preference.
Thank you for reading, and we wish you the best in finding the perfect ice ball maker for your needs!
Items reviewed:
3. Bella Amazing Ice Ball Maker
