Ice Cube Sphere Trays / Molds
Making spherical balls of ice is critical to a good whiskey or scotch on the rocks, because the minimized surface-area to volume ratio means it cools your drink without diluting it as quickly as regular ice cubes. For example, a 15mL sphere takes up 4.6 in2, while a cube of the same volume takes 5.7 in2. So you get 25% slower melting ice, which might not seem like a lot, but I’ve heard makes all the difference.
I’ve found two sources for buying spherical ice cube trays / makers. One is expensive, from Japan. For $177, you can buy Ice Ball Mold for Perfect Ice Spheres, a set of heavy molds which squeeze melting ice into a spherical shape, letting the excess runoff as water.
The other option is local to NYC thanks to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMa), who sells the Spherical Ice Tray Set out of their giftshop for $16, with free shipping:
I just put in an order for two trays, and I’ll update with the results when I have them!!
| This entry was posted on Saturday, July 25th, 2009 at 10:24 pm and is tagged with surface area to volume ratio, scotch on the rocks, spherical balls, museum of modern art moma, museum of modern art, spherical shape, melting ice, in2, giftshop, moma, molds, runoff, spheres, whiskey, sphere, ice cubes, mold, japan, free shipping. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback. |
2 Responses to “Ice Cube Sphere Trays / Molds”
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I just ordered a set as well – looking forward to seeing the results!
Even cheaper. Go to Wal-Mart kiddy section and buy a bag of the smallest (water) balloons. Fill them up, just slightly smaller than your rocks glass (they will expand during freezing). Some balloons have powder so give the ice balls a good rinse before using. Or, (as I do) turn them inside out and rinse before filling. They last for a long time, 2-3 doubles.
All the rage of your friends who won’t figure out how you accomplished this feat.