Testing a Weird Ice Ball Maker by Request!

[@Jexorz86]

probably the best thing about ice makers that are sealed up like this, is that your ice is going to taste like ice, instead of whatever is in your freezer.

[@myles7837]

This is so valid oh my

[@myles7837]

This is why I put mine in a bag lol

[@xxgn]

Trays in the $5+ range often include a cover. You don't need to use a garbage tray to avoid weird ice.

[@AROAH]

I’ve got a couple of ice trays with lids that I think cost $10 for a three-pack, and they’re silicone.

[@DraciaNightcat]

The freezer in my apartment gives anything uncovered a weird garlic taste/smell, so I bought some regular ice cube trays and keep them in a large plastic container with a lid. I keep the resulting ice in the same container or in a second one if I need a lot of ice.

[@Polychrome1201]

"I don't need this bowl. I'm not spilling any." Promptly spills. Bowl returns. Nothing to see here, please move along.

[@JonasWilms]

Double like for the Fear of a blank Planet throwback.

[@monhi64]

Lmao I think maybe he added the bowl back in case water comes out when he closes it.

[@Boodieman72]

The ice balls look more attractive in drinks.

[@screamtoasigh9984]

I use $5 trays that are shaped for water bottles, they look like lipgloss shape/size. They are prettier, made in Japan and Israel (not China) and not a PITA like the balls. All around a better deal.

[@Cyblade2020]

I'll stick with my old school rubbermade ice trays that cost like 1.50ea.

[@DrivingWithJake]

And work better lol

[@jaypence332]

But taste like "freezer"

[@someone321]

@@jaypence332 you can get ones with covers

[@zack9912000]

@@jaypence332 Then clean your nasty freezer

[@BrittMFH]

@@jaypence332 Not mine. I use the ice cubes as I make them.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I feel like the mention of “squeeze all the air out” meant squeeze it until the water line gets up the lid and then seal it off?

[@covoeus]

I think you're supposed to pull the bottle wide, then fill, then push the sides together. Basically the reverse of getting the ice out. The hemispheres are too close together for water to flow freely while the bottle is squeezed shut, since they are supposed to keep water from escaping and freezing the balls together...

[@Orion_Alathorn]

while I personally prefer and use the simple tray that you can get for cheap there are downsides to it as well that people are just used to. for example, you need a long flat, level and even surface to put the tray on while freezing so you end up losing a chunk of space in your freezer just to dedicate spots for trays whereas the ones in this vid could be filled and thrown in wherever they fit instead of needing a dedicated spot.

[@valengreymoon5623]

Dollar store ice tray wins again.

[@clockworkpanda8]

Yeah only reason this would be good is if you really needed to be like hiking and making fresh mixed drinks? Not sure how popular that is

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

I got like four half-moon shaped trays for about $2. Have had them for about two years and use two of them alongside a large white one similar to what he showed here (so that there is always a revolving door of ice being frozen). The only reason I would ever invest in something like these would be if I ever bumped my head and decided to buy an RV, lol. And even then, there have to be cheaper options on the market.

[@UDiluna303]

Spoiler alert !!!

[@jameshogge]

Yup, only "upgrade" I'd consider would be a lid (possibly that slides on) so you didn't have to worry about it spilling when not fully melted. It's not a problem if you have a drawer for ice trays but it is if you bung them in with other things

[@tunaburn2330]

All these completely over-engineered waste of resources products are kinda depressing. We have ice figured out guys. Lets try to think of something new.

[@Freakinreviews]

It might not be so bad if they actually improved on existing technology.

[@JessicaFEREM]

40 $1 ice trays any day tbh

[@xxgn]

@@Freakinreviews There are plenty of $4 silicone trays (some silicone-bottom trays are as low as $2/tray) that offer the capacity/shape of a dollar store tray while making it easier to release single ice cubes. With a dollar store tray, single cubes are a negligibly more difficult to remove. Mind you, I don't think they make good review fodder since they're very boring.

[@trekie30122]

I am a fan of the automatic ice makers. But I still have several of the dollar store ones, the others don't last as long before breaking.

[@Firsona]

While I definitely wouldn't buy these, I think wanting to improve something, even something this effective already is admirable. That said, these are fails, lol.

[@youshimimi]

Ah, the return of the undefeated king: 1$ Ice cube tray

[@flopperstopper1]

Washing either of those would be a pain.

[@FamousMovieScenes09]

I cannot recall a time where I've needed to wash an ice cube tray?

[@SvobodovaEva]

Unless you put flavored liquid in it, there's no need to wash it ever. And even if, just rinse it with dishsoap, shake, rinse and it's clean.

[@punker4Real]

@@SvobodovaEva some plastics get moldy or meldew

[@Ollv33]

@@punker4Real if your ice cube tray is moldy, then your fridge has problems.

[@scaper8]

@@SvobodovaEva Also, if you live in a area with hard water, that can build up in an ice cube tray over time. It's nice to give it a wash periodically to knock some of it out. And, with ones like these, I think you might end up with more than a few looseer flakes of water deposits than a normal tray. So cleaning might be a necessity.

[@ilovemalechickens]

"40 sounds like even more" yes, it does doesn't it?

[@ilovemalechickens]

@WMB woooah there! You cant just wade in here with your 'crazy conspiracy theories' what evidence do you even have to substantiate these ramblings of a madman?

[@randydelabarcena4988]

He actually just walked in, never got in the water 😀 although maybe his name was Wade 😁​@@ilovemalechickens

[@AtrumNuntius]

Why are they so freaking expensive? It's ridiculous, they're just plastic and they don't make nearly as much ice as the $1 one. I mean come on man $40.

[@someone321]

My thoughts exactly… bet you could buy the same thing on ebay for a significantly lower price

[@SquishyNevus]

The ice king has came back with a new product...

[@ibustanut]

I think I'll keep using my 1dollar ice tray from Ikea i bought 10 years ago, still holding up, looks pretty similar to your dollar store tray aswell.

[@sgs_gurkgoat6601]

At this rate, he'll have so many Ice makers they will be spilling out of the bathroom closet.

[@hectorskmetija3015]

Why am I watching this? Im happy with a normal ice cube tray 😂

[@floyd2386]

You watch it to reaffirm your love with normal things that work and are cost effective.

[@dcwatashi]

You watch it because James is entertaining and we need to support this channel

[@doommmmmmm]

all of the above.

[@AB-ye7bw]

Good ol fashion ice cube tray ! No muss , no fuss. Saving my money for someone more important.

[@Covid-f6j]

7:47 I had a gut feeling at the beginning of the video that he was gonna bust out a standard ice tray and here it is 🤣🤣👏🏽👏🏽

[@goldenpun5592]

Giving me serious "The Rock" vibes. looks like those sarin gas glass balls. They are also a lot like that whole "Inventing a better mousetrap" thing.. Honestly just a plain old silicon ice mold is all you need.

[@badbirdkc]

Glass or plastic? Glass or plastic?!

[@peytonmanning04]

okay...... I NEED someone to confirm that they also see "Bold and Brash" on the back wall. omg yessss

[@Kahalua]

I can say I got lucky and was given a real ice maker for a Christmas gift. Living in my own apartment needing ice is one I always am having to get, and not being able to drive I am constantly having to get ice. So my ice maker was a good investment. I love watching these reviews always on my list. Thanks for making my day! I will always be a big fan. Hope you all have a wonderful day Much Love and God Bless.. and please stay safe!

[@xxgn]

What motivated you to want an ice maker rather than an ice cube tray? Not having a freezer?

[@Kahalua]

@@xxgn I was given the ice maker to me, I never purchased it. It was a Christmas gift. Plus the apartment I do live in is quite small, and the refrigerator I have is not a big one at that.

[@StreetkillnHD]

love how someone makes something so complicated out of something that was already standard and simple, just to look cool

[@blinkshadown]

You cant beat my 3 for 1 dollar icecube trays.

[@bySterling]

I’ll def stick w my ol school simple plastic trays!

[@ShadowmarkReturns]

The advantage of spherical ice is that it takes much longer to melt, keeping your drink cooler for longer without watering it down. Not worth 40$ though.

[@monhi64]

that’s kind of a myth IMO, the same amount of ice will always lower the temperature the same amount no matter what shape. The sphere will last longer but only cuz it’s not cooling your drink as much, I think the spheres really only work for aesthetic.

[@NathanRohr]

2:47 Being utterly hammered while watching and typing this, this totally caught me off guard and, quite possibly, made me hilariously LOL.

[@davidcochran848]

Take 1 or 2 litre freezer bag, partially fill with water, twist top and secure with a rubber band. Freeze. Remove and smash in bag with smooth side of meat tenderiser. Interesting selection of shapes and variable sizes. Reseal and return to freezer if less ice required. Low cost, no cleaning, no ice contamination, fits into almost any space.

[@jellyface401]

When you feel inadequate remember that this ice trays exist.

[@afrommation5279]

I’m so early the British are still coming

[@Freakinreviews]

That's a good one.

[@jerrylee3096]

Always love your new videos.

[@tequilamokinbrd]

The ice ball maker would be incredible as a water bottle for people like me who like to have ice water next to them in bed for when you wake up at 3 am thirsty. As an ice tray it's totally useless though.

[@jpolar394]

It sure looks like every year they invent a new ice forming gadget the same way they invent a new gadget to cook old fashion eggs. The old fashion way is the best. That ice gadget probably has a freeze/thaw life cycle of about 30 times before it starts to develop cracks in it and it will not hold water in it without leaking.

[@spartanpatriot3163]

This is what happens when you try to reinvent the wheel.

[@Randomninja47]

The ice ball maker, if you were to use it as a water bottle, you can make the ice the night before and then just fill it up. So that's neat

[@giannidescalzo2101]

It's like they asked a designer to unnecessarily complicate the ice tray.

[@davidgerow]

I like the LG fridge with the big round ice balls. Lol

[@afluffybuffalo]

Its takes 24 hrs to get one ball 😂.

[@Zakkimatsu]

I think these kinds of ice makers are a meme at this point.

[@thesharanaithal]

Dude, subscribed, you're the best reviewer. To the point and no BS background music.

[@StacyWantsYou]

I can reach into the freezer, pop some ice out and put it in my glass in 15 seconds. Lesson: Work smarter, not harder!

[@onekajun437]

The Icenator...lol We had something similar to that in the 70s

[@LaSmoocherina]

After you crack and open the turquoise one, recap and shake like hell. Also- they don’t get freezer burned. I love them. They’re they’re own container too

[@Gkitchens1]

The fact that it expands and works as a small pitcher is kinda cool. If you had the desire to freeze water in a pitcher for some reason it's certainly more compact.

[@yeeyeeass]

Holy crap, is that James White from Freakin Reviews?!

[@thazsar]

Glad I got an undercounter ice maker. Best investment for a family of five

[@kenlee74]

I have a silicone one that makes round ball ice cubes. It was like $4-6 and you fill it like a normal tray and put the top on then pop it in the freezer.

[@The_Joy_Finder]

Hee hee hee. Loved the twist at the end. 🤣

[@iansharrock6546]

I think the Ice Ball maker would be great for a pitcher IF it held more water. 40 bucks is a bit much for 18 ice cubes and 4 cups of water. but I can see the merit. fill it. freeze it overnight and then pull it apart and fill it with water in the morning. I can't deny it would be more convenient than having a giant pitcher of water in the fridge at all times.

[@beez1717]

You can't beat a good old plastic tray that has a lid on it so it doesn't taste like everything in the freezer. Products that try and make ice better still haven't beaten it or we'd all be using that design instead.

[@carbonceph2436]

I actually like the ice ball maker, the ball shape makes it surprisingly easy to put ice into some bottles and it can be converted into a good pitcher, all in all not bad, definately not for everyone tho.

[@bonnieblue9185]

I think the best feature is one you didn't think of you could use it as a ice pack in a cooler and then if you want a clean ice cube you can get one

[@Spartan536]

Need a $2 ice cube tray that makes ice balls, I really like that shape.

[@blackaspitch631]

only good thing about those sealed ice makers is you can stick them anywhere in your freezer you don't need a flat spot to put it

[@jpshawcross]

I think the ice cube tray comparison was the first video of yours I ever saw! Been subscribed since then.

[@Ebolter1]

my brother would take a Gatorade bottle , fill it with water and place in the freezer overnight , bring it work the next day and by lunchtime have some cold water to drink

[@laurallewien2165]

Boy James you sure got some balls doing a review like that...😆😋

[@j.k.7807]

The built in ice maker in my fridge broke today. This is the 2nd time it broke. Last time we had it repaired. This time I wonder how many Dollar Store ice trays I can get in place of the repair bill. I might even be able to spring for Tupperware to use as ice storage.

[@cyphre]

I think, like the last video about these newfangled devies, these are intended for the small audience who has some sort of dorm room fridge/freezer, or not enough space to lay a traditional ice cube tray for whatever reason. Definitely a niche market!

[@FireMageLayn]

It does not seem practical at all, but the fact that the ice cubes are little spheres is probably the main source of appeal.

[@Dseated]

I started using small plastic food containers and making large cubes with those.

[@Camelotsmoon]

A regular ice cube tray holds 14oz and is $1, the icebreaker pop was $30 and held 10oz, and the ice baller maker was $40 and holds less. Seems like the more you spend, the less you get... kinda like life tbh lol.

[@ericparisien3051]

my fridge has an ice maker, I will never buy one without it

[@Romanticoutlaw]

the biggest roadblock for me is that you have to wait 3 minutes. No!! If I want ice I want it while I'm still too hot

[@toms.1773]

Gotta love my freakin reviews Wednesday FIX! thanks for the great vids Jim! Some of these ice trays are just crazy! reinventing the wheel comes to mind....🤪😁

[@jamesrobinson2086]

I bought one that was for making ice-balls detailed to be little Death Stars... worked pretty well, but the ice was leeching something out of the 'silicon' and giving it a nasty chemical taste... no idea what or why

[@Kafka451]

An aluminum old style lever ice cube try is 35 BUCKS??? That's insane....... I used those a ton back in the 50's.

[@geoff3610]

The squeeze is because it's expanded as a bottle and the molds dont seal. Then you suction it closed, freeze it, and break a thin layer of ice at worst

[@TylerSnyder305]

And you can get American made plastic ice cube trays from Sterilite for $1 too. I'm pretty sure the mainstays brand from Walmart is American made as well for $1.

[@horrorableshow]

Dude… is that a picture of squidwards painting in the background 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Gswfansince2015]

lmao that much for inconvenient icemakers

[@iversonstimecapsule1690]

Uses dirty ice for drinking 😂

[@benjamintan2733]

Wow, that's really interesting ice cube makers.

[@5055hunter]

How about the "clear ice" makers like the True Cubes Clear Ice Tray? I want the clear ice for my cocktails!

[@Little_B]

Too bad it's so expensive it would fun to make round popsicle pops!

[@jdisdetermined]

Who *wouldn't* want a 5+ minute activity everytime they want ice in a drink? You can ponder the meaning of life standing in the kitchen waiting for three minutes, then another few minutes and a light workout to actually get the ice out and refill it. Science! 👍

[@aviddavid8793]

Well to be fair on the ice ball maker, sphere is the least volym effecient compared to a cube which is most effecient.

[@Lydia1271]

I purchased the mini ball ice trays that come with an ice container, and they are awesome

[@sqike001ton]

i kinda like it for the water bottle feature its a water bottle that can make round ice cubes too

[@timjones8210]

I didn’t even know people still use ice trays. It seems these days most freezers have automatic ice makers.

[@godofplumbing]

Bad ice taste comes from the minerals in the water. If you take running water over a cold stainless steel plate and allow the ice to build up slowly, the minerals, bacteria, viruses or anything else in the water did not stick to the plate and gets rinsed out a drain. The ice also turns clear. This is how restaurants makes ice, in my restaurant ice taste better than the ice at home.

[@TDog14126]

Easiest thing to do is buy those plastic, reusable ice cubes. I love mine. Just rinse them off and toss back into the freezer.

[@vladislavstanimirovic9650]

I remember my parents having plastic bags for making round ice balls, they were regular plastic bags, something like the ones you'd use for freezing food, only with round crevices and channels for the water to flow inside. However, when the ice formed it wasn't ball shaped, more like egg shaped, because when the bag laid flat, it would deform. It was the 90s, whadda you gonna do...

[@SICresinwrks]

If i remember right round cubes are supposed to melt slower and more evenly

[@garageink74]

You should review some of the other ice ball makers on Amazon.

[@VampireOnline]

Love the replays lol!

[@QuixEnd]

I was actually getting frustrated af watching damn ice not come out shaking it.

[@chinaman1]

I think you're supposed to use it to make the ice, then fill it with the beverage of your choice into it in the bottle form and then drink from it.

[@kamo7293]

I'm going to assume that 1) it's no better than the other one 2) the cheapest dollar store version trumps all

[@thunderfire741]

Unless that thing made me a sundae just waiting for me, no ice cube maker is worth anywhere near 30 or 40 dollars.

[@will3641]

This one worked great. I got it for $22, but most people cannot get that pricing...... Get it not to make ice, get it to make ice drink to drink from

[@SandraStar66]

Just give me a dollar store ice cube tray or, at the MOST, one of those cool silicon ice cube trays that are easier to squeeze the ice out of.

[@mariosoomes]

The worst thing with the normal ones is filling it with water en then balancing it to put in the freezer

[@glenfoxh]

The one $1 ice tray beats the other two in every respect. Other than style. But the extra cost for that style, is far too much.

[@sthiers]

Not that I’d ever buy one but out of curiosity do the ice balls maintain ball form in a drink and simply get smaller equally all around as they melt?

[@LockeTheCole]

I DO like that I don't have to have a specific spot in my fridge for an ice cube tray and can instead fit it anywhere... That said, not for that price. Oof.

[@TheWritersMind]

I feel like the water bottle one not having a bottle top is a detriment to its cause.

[@vampiregoat69]

Those look like a NIGHTMARE

[@maryfurr8819]

You were supposed to pop open the ice ball one (if you didn't already) then compress it again

[@LordFalconsword]

Now available on Wish for 1/4 the price, and 1/10th the quality.

[@WaschyNumber1]

You can 3d print your own ice qube molds this days.

[@leese.23]

Dollar Tree has covered ice cube trays...easy to stack.