TINANA Clear Ice Ball Maker, 2.5” Clear Ice Cube Tray Make 1 Large Sphere Ice Balls for Whiskey, Cocktails & Bourbon, Gifts for Men

I researched multiple different ice ball makers on Amazon and decided on this one as the best model for the price. I have used it several times and it really works well. I just used regular room temperature tap water and was very pleased with the results. I did have to adjust the time required in the freezer. I tried 37 hours the first time and that was too short to get the balls completely frozen on the bottom. Turns out my freezer requires about 41 hours. The extra time is probably based on the settings I am using in my freezer. On the plus side, the slower freeze probably allows the ice balls to be more clear. Also takes a little practice to get the rubber mold out of the plastic sleeve but just work it back and forth from both sides and it will come out. Initially, I wasn't sure if I was better off getting the model that makes 2 or 4 ice balls. Based on how long it takes in my freezer, I am very happy with the unit that makes 4 ice balls. Overall, very nice product to use for yourself or give as a gift to someone who drinks whiskey/bourbon.

In terms of quality, this unit has it nearly perfect. I get clear ice with no funky smell or taste from the silicone mold. I scrubbed the mold and tray before the first use with a little sludge I made for my other silicone items to remove anything on the surface from the manufacturing process. Ran a test batch in my -10F chest freezer with water from my Zerowater filter, and got perfectly clear spheres! I always throw out the first two batches to ensure any residue is fully gone and it is only pure water going through the process. The spheres are perfectly sized for my big tumbler that comes to work with me everyday and keeps my water colder longer. The resulting ice at the bottom of the mold tends to be nearly the same clarity and of decent enough quality I take it and bag it as a bonus “chunk” ice for other uses. The ice in the bottom of the mold does take a while to come out, but I find leaving it on a sheet pan with a wire rack helps it to eventually fall out and stay clean enough to use without any real effort. Just be patient and you’ll hear it drop out of the mold. I rinse the cloudy parts of all the ice with my filtered water and throw it all in a ziploc bag for storage.

There are many competing products. I studied the reviews and compared the prices. I went with this one after verifying it would fit in my bottom freezer drawer. Now I get 4 beautiful clear ice balls every 36 hours. I use the filtered water from my refrigerator water dispenser. The ice comes out crystal clear. I was afraid it was going to be hard to get the mold out, but I find it fairly easy and can see where letting it thaw a little would help people having trouble. I read up on "tempering" the ice. I keep my alcohol in the freezer and the refrigerator, so it seems like I don't have to use tempering to keep the ice from cracking when I pour the liquid over it. But I have inadvertently allowed a little time at room temperature before pouring, so maybe I am partially tempering my ice. This works great with old fashioneds and whiskey sours :)

This product works perfectly making ice spheres as advertised. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because it takes a little figuring out due to instructions being minimal. I watched YouTube videos, and googled some instructions. But, the finished product is perfect.

First, if you want really nice ice fast, this is not the tool you are looking for - and I highly doubt you will find a tool that does it fast. You will want to consider setting a reminder for this as I've found exactly 24-hours will yield beautiful ice, in my case, a rose sphere as it seemed the most fitting shape for the city I reside in. This is very easy to set up and despite the mixed reviews I've seen, I've had no issues removing the mold once the ice is ready. Pull up on one size to get it started, then lift both sides up slowly. It is easier if you let it sit for a few minutes after removal from the freezer. I've had no issues with storing a completed rose in an ice box for a few hours and it yielding an equally beautiful result as when it was fresh out of the mold. These melt very slowly, over time becoming a perfectly clear sphere. Overall, if you're considering making this an addition to a home bar, don't spend four months deciding like me and just go for it - so long as you are willing to take the care needed for best results. This makes beautiful ice, and I'm now strongly considering ordering another.

The mold is large, bulky, and removing the insert challenging. My ice isn’t a complete sphere either. Lastly, a large block of ice forms on the inside bottom, which is wasteful. But the semi-spherical ice is clear after tempering.

Many other ice molds are prohibitively expensive. This mold is a great value. Have been using for about a year and would recommend. I like the balls over cubes, but get more clarity from cubes.

This thing is so cool and it makes perfect ice cubes that are clear and sphere!!!

Es el mejor producto que e probado si te obsesionan las esferas de hielo perfectas y transparentes este producto es el ideal las esferas son imprecionantes

Simple yet effective - makes crystal clear ice spheres - look great in cocktails.

wanted the larger format ice ball for scotch - this makes them perfectly