I Swapped Silicone Molds for the Frigidaire Sphere Ice Maker
I remember the frustration of wrestling with a silicone mold at 5 PM on a Saturday. My $60 bourbon deserved better than a cloudy, half-cracked lump of ice that looked like it survived a glacier collapse. That is when I finally plugged in the frigidaire sphere ice maker. I was tired of the 24-hour waiting game and the inevitable freezer-burn taste that comes with slow-freezing water in an open tray.
Quick Takeaways
- Spheres in about 45-60 minutes, not 24 hours.
- Produces two 2-inch spheres per cycle.
- The machine is noisy—expect mechanical whirring and thumping.
- It requires a decent amount of counter space and a nearby outlet.
Why I Finally Gave Up on Silicone Ice Molds
Silicone molds are a scam for anyone who actually enjoys hosting. You fill them, spill half the water on the way to the freezer, and then wait a full day for results. If you want a second drink? Too bad. You are out of luck until tomorrow. Beyond the wait, the ice is usually full of trapped air, meaning it shatters the second you pour room-temperature liquid over it.
I spent years trying the 'boil the water first' trick and the 'insulated cooler' method in my freezer. None of it worked consistently. The centers remained cloudy, and the spheres often came out with flat bottoms or weird jagged edges. I wanted something that could keep up with a small group of friends without turning my freezer into a science experiment. The promise of the frigidaire artisanal ice maker was simple: round ice, on demand, without the headache.
Setting Up the Frigidaire Sphere Ice Maker
Out of the box, this thing is substantial. It is a sleek black countertop unit that demands its own dedicated spot on the bar. You cannot just tuck this under a low-hanging cabinet and expect to fill the reservoir easily. It stands about 13 inches tall and has a footprint that will eat up your prep space. But for a dedicated home bar, it looks the part.
The setup is dead simple: plug it in, fill the reservoir to the 'max' line, and hit power. I timed the first cycle of the frigidaire artisanal sphere ice maker, and it took about 50 minutes to drop the first pair of balls. One thing to note: it is not quiet. Between the compressor hum and the internal motor that rotates the molds, you will know it is running. If you are sensitive to appliance noise while watching a movie, you might want to run your batches earlier in the day.
Wait, Are the Costco and Gallery Models the Same Thing?
If you are scouring the aisles of a warehouse club, you might see the frigidaire sphere ice maker costco edition and wonder how it differs from the one online. The branding is a bit of a mess. You will see the frigidaire artisanal sphere shaped ice maker and the frigidaire gallery artisinal clear sphere ice maker sold side-by-side in different regions. In my testing, the internal mechanics are nearly identical. Most Frigidaire gallery ice maker reviews focus on the exterior finish or the 'Gallery' badge, but the ice quality remains the same.
The Costco version often comes with a slightly different accessory kit or a longer warranty, which is a huge plus because countertop ice makers are notorious for having a 2-year lifespan if you don't descale them. Whether you call it the frigidaire gallery sphere ice maker or the standard artisanal model, you are getting the same dual-mold system that creates two spheres at a time. Do not overpay for the 'Gallery' name unless you really need the brushed stainless look to match your fridge.
The Cocktail Test: Melt Rate and Clarity
Let's talk about the ice itself. Is it crystal clear? No. This is not a directional freezing system like a $500 professional clear ice machine. You will still get a small 'white heart' of air bubbles in the very center. However, compared to a standard freezer cube, the clarity is a massive step up. The spheres are remarkably round, with only a tiny seam where the two halves of the mold meet.
In an Old Fashioned, the frigidaire artisanal sphere shaped ice maker produced a ball that lasted through two full pours. Because the surface area is smaller than a pile of small cubes, it doesn't dilute the spirit nearly as fast. That is the real draw of an artisanal sphere ice maker. It preserves the flavor profile of the drink for 20-30 minutes. I ran a side-by-side test with standard freezer ice, and the sphere was still 70% intact by the time the standard cubes had completely vanished.
Should You Buy a Dedicated Costco Ice Ball Maker?
If you are a casual drinker who occasionally wants a cold soda, this is overkill. You would be much better served by a standard countertop ice maker that pumps out bullet ice every seven minutes. The sphere maker is slow. It only makes two balls per hour. If you have a party of six people, you need to start this machine at noon to have enough ice for a 7 PM start time.
However, for the home bartender who values presentation and melt rate, the sphere ice maker costco carries is a legitimate luxury. It eliminates the 24-hour planning cycle and gives you consistent, high-quality spheres that look great in a rocks glass. Just be prepared to clean it. The drain plug is located on the bottom-back, which is a major pain to reach. You have to drag the whole unit to the edge of the sink to empty it. If you can live with that bit of maintenance, your cocktails will thank you.
FAQ
How many spheres does it make at once?
It makes two spheres per cycle. Each cycle takes between 45 and 60 minutes depending on the ambient temperature of your room and the water you use.
Does it keep the ice frozen?
No. Like most portable units, the bin is insulated but not refrigerated. The ice will slowly melt, and the water will recycle back into the reservoir to make new ice.
Is the ice clear?
It is 'mostly clear.' There will be a small cloudy core in the center where oxygen is trapped, but the outer shell is transparent and looks much better than standard freezer ice.