Customer Reviews

Fusionbrands Silicone Ice Orb Vertical Ice Cube Tray

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(31)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(17)
1 star:		(32)

 

 

Length:: 3:58 Mins

Entertaining instructions on how to use the ice orb!! This is a great item, makes great cubes...a little instruction is helpful!!

I can see how someone who follows the written directions to a tee, or someone who has limited hand strength, would find this to be a lousy product. It truly does require a little more elbow grease to release ice, but once you do, I think this is a superior product design, both in its ability to chill down bottles, and because you can freeze a second batch of ice while holding the first.

I think my method for punching out the ice bucket, which I can now do in under 10 seconds, is loosely alluded to in the written directions, but here's what I'd emphasize to would-be IceOrb owners:

1) MIND THE FILL LINE: it's almost imperceptible, but there's a little extruded text between the bottom and second-from-the-bottom "lumps" that will say "fill line". This prevents excess water from getting into the rubber lip holding the blue ice bucket in.

2) CRACK THE ICE AT THE TOP: When trying to remove a frozen tube of ice, start first at the top, and squeeze the rim at all 360 degrees. The instructions definitely tell you to do this, and there will be a cracking noise. Be sure to be pretty thorough about this:

3) PUSH FROM THE BOTTOM: Here's what the instructions don't focus on - focus all your effort on pushing the blue ice bucket out from below. Don't waste time trying to pull the blue bucket out from the top. Place both your thumbs on the bottom, and use your fingers to grip the now-hard lumps on the side of the Orb.

Hopefully, this solves the major "flaw" in the IceOrb. I really do think this thing is a cool design, people ask about it at parties, and it's great for bottles of wine (which go right into the space where the bucket was).

This is an excellent product. I was a little wary after reading the negative reviews but I really needed a compact Ice Cube solution so I decided to risk it. Worked perfectly! Here's the deal. The WRITTEN directions (ignore the graphical ones)on the box mention the "fill line." It should be called the "fill dash" as it actually is a dash between JUST TWO of the bottom row of "orbs." Find this dash! It has a small arrow pointing down to it and it says fill line. This "line" guarantees that you don't overfill. If you overfill, then I could definitely see how it could freeze the seal at the top. It would probably be the equivalent of encasing a traditional ice tray in ice after stacking.

Once the cubes are frozen, carefully work the top almost like you open a jar, working the silicon top ring away from the jar (just be sure to be gentle- the orb is silicon, the inner jar is frozen plastic). It's definitely a different type of product that wasn't completely intuitive, but the written directions will get you some great results. Love this thing!

Yes, it does. But it won't give you any, oh no. Not giving up the ice! Loved the alien girls, they made it look so easy - talked me into giving it another chance. Squeeze to crack the ice, hold it at an angle, press exactly HERE - no dice. No ice. Use your thumbs and press up on the bottom - nope. Not giving up that ice. Squeeze harder. Really hard. Press and pull and twist. Working up a sweat now. Could really use some ice. Not happening.

Bang the thing on the counter. Press and squeeze some more. Brace with your feet. You're still not getting any ice. Run cold water over it. Run hot water over it. Bang and press and twist. Ice does not budge. Get a mallet. A propane torch. An ice axe and crampons. Rent a backhoe, rent The Jaws of Life, there will still be No Ice For You.

I think it is a thing those aliens sent to keep us totally occupied, like little ice-hungry monkeys, squeezing and pressing and sweating and grunting, while they take over the planet.

And I think it will work.

I almost never buy anything without reading reviews. Unfortunately, when I purchased The Ice Orb there weren't any reviews yet available. The Ice Orb is a great idea, and makes great ice cubes, but it is extremely difficult to use.
After filling and freezing the first batch, it is nearly impossible to remove the inner container, due to its having frozen to the outer one. For several minutes I tried gently bending, pulling, twisting and applying mild heat. Finally I exerted too much pressure and the inner container cracked. It was apparently useless before cracking, but with the crack it is impossible to use as intended.
Worse, I sent fusionbrands a very nice email requesting help and they never replied. It's really too bad - the ice I was finally able to retrieve from my first (and only) batch was some of the best ice I've ever had.
UPDATE: fusionbrands finally did reply to my email. They offered more detailed instructions on how to extract the inner container from the outer one, and they sent me a replacement Ice Orb. Unfortunately, even with the new technique it is very difficult to use. For me the Ice Orb is virtually useless.

Those with weak hands or short tempers need not apply.

Funny video but the blue container doesn't just "pop" out with the effort shown. Practice helps, but patience is the key. I let the container sit on the counter for a few minutes after pulling out of the freezer. This allows the thin film of ice between the containers to melt enough to allow separation. It also helps cut down on the cursing.

The problem with this product is that the inner container has a rim which snaps into a groove in the outer container and cold temperatures and ice make the outer container rigid and very difficult to unsnap. If the containers had been designed with threads for the two to screw together, this product would be a universal 5 star even amongst those with the daintiest of hands.

I like this thing because it allows me to make quality ice from bottled water in an enclosed tray and stored in an enclosed container.

The interior blue container is made of a hard plastic. It breaks after a few uses and becomes useless because you can no longer fill it. I was careful with the fill line and I tried to be more gentle after the first one cracked after maybe 2-3 uses. With the second one, I tried running a bit of hot water first, gently prying, using a blunt butter knife to coax it out, etc. It still cracked.

Too bad because I thought it was a great idea and could not wait to receive it. I feel kind of cheated.

Why did I buy this? That cool video of the two alien women using this ice cube maker. Yep, this thing looked like a fun useful device. No I would have never ordered it unless I'd seen a video on how to use the thing. And yes those instructions are pretty complicated to say the least.

Well now that this Orb is in my home, what do I think? Pretty darn nice. Pretty darn easy to use, if you follow the video. Makes some pretty darn nice ice cubes. Overall, it's a sweet thing.

The outer portion is made of very flexible silicone. The inner bucket is a blue / clear polystyrene or firm plastic. And there's a silicone lid. Not too complex.

The whole thing can be tossed in the dishwasher. It takes a lot less water to fill than you might imagine. And the advice of inserting the inner bucket over a sink - great advice - water spills out no matter what you try. This looks like it might be kind of large - but truth be told, it'a about the size of a 1/2 gallon of ice cream - little taller, not as wide.

Yeah - it's a fun little gadget. I'll smile every time I take out some ice cubes.

This Ice Orb is tough to use although I read all the tips included as well as on this site in customer feedback. I am a strong man and the bucket was extremely hard to remove with frozen ice inside. It was even hard to remove when just wet. It makes tiny cubes and takes a very long time for the cubes to freeze. I finally filled the bucket with hot water to free it from the frozen cubes. That will work but if you are storing cubes frozen in the bucket , then you have to dump them elsewhere when filling with hot water. Overall , this is a good idea that should have had the kinks worked out before selling. This is a slow process with a lot of work for a small amount of ice. I was very careful not to overfill the water , the line on the outside of the bucket is nearly invisible.....I am adding to this review after 1 week of use.....WARM OR HOT WATER WILL CRACK THE BUCKET...This is the hardest item to use and the most trouble of anything I have ever bought....threw it in the trash today...was leaking everywhere. I did not abuse it but this is just a design that does not work . Should be taken off the market ! A REAL RIPOFF !

I almost threw these trays against the wall the first few times. But I kept trying and finally was able to get the ice out without much effort. I will say that anyone who does not have strong hands will find it difficult. Once I got the hang of it, they lasted a few weeks then the bottoms cracked on both of the ones I purchased. Not worth the aggravation.