# Why are these ice sphere presses so expensive? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 3, 2021, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-these-ice-sphere-presses-so-expensive/955460 "2021-12-03T19:01:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2021, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-these-ice-sphere-presses-so-expensive/955460/42 "2021-12-07T20:11:53Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > this thing that no one really needs Hey! I may have only heard of the existence of this device when I started reading this thread 45 seconds ago, but now I definitely need one. How could I have _known_ I needed it until knew it existed? ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2021, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-these-ice-sphere-presses-so-expensive/955460/43 "2021-12-07T20:42:36Z")
My associates favor these. No one seems to care if the ice is clear. > **[Amazon.com: Skull Ice Cube Mold Tray 3D Silicone Ice Skull Maker for Christmas...](https://www.amazon.com/Silicone-Christmas-Halloween-Whiskey-Cocktails/dp/B08LYRYVJY)** > > Online Shopping for Kitchen Utensils & Gadgets from a great selection at everyday low prices. Free 2-day Shipping with Amazon Prime. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2021, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-these-ice-sphere-presses-so-expensive/955460/44 "2021-12-07T21:21:18Z")
Here’s some interesting science about drinks, ice, temperatures, etc… [Cocktail Science in General: Part 1 of 2 (cookingissues.com)](https://www.cookingissues.com/index.html%3Fp=4585.html) ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-these-ice-sphere-presses-so-expensive/955460/45 "2021-12-10T08:05:14Z")
> **[Phantom Mini](https://www.wintersmiths.com/collections/shop/products/phantom-mini)** > > Our patented\* design enables you to make 3 large (2.36" diameter) and 3 small (1.11" diameter) crystal-clear ice spheres in an ordinary home freezer with tap water. Made out of durable double-wall vacuum insulated stainless steel and premium silicone... I bought this clear ice mold for fun last year. It works exactly as advertised - produces spheres of pretty much perfectly clear ice with minimal fuss. It is a little bit slow, though, about 36 hours for 3 spheres, and takes up quite a bit of space in the freezer. Still, at $85, a much better deal than the presses, and you don’t have to provide a source of clear ice. (it goes without saying that you can’t go around with bubbles in your ice like some kind of peasant, right?) Having a big sphere in your roughly cylindrical cocktail glass is novel and does result in a unique experience compared to a normal mixed drink with a bunch of conventional ice cubes. Might be a fun Christmas gift for someone! ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-these-ice-sphere-presses-so-expensive/955460/46 "2021-12-10T12:49:58Z")
> [@Esprise\_Me](#): > > Use blue ice (or something fancier like chilled stones). I gave one of my friends [this set of glasses and bullet-shaped whiskey stones](https://www.amazon.com/Whiskey-Stainless-Chillers-Glasses-Boyfriend/dp/B08F5J68KM/r). He liked them so much he bought and gave me a set. I have some silicone ice sphere molds that I bought for just $10. It does leave a seam, but I’m not sure why that bothers people. If it does bother you, run it under the sink for a few seconds, it melts right off. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-these-ice-sphere-presses-so-expensive/955460/47 "2021-12-10T15:56:22Z")
I am not a lawyer; this is not legal advice; you are not my client; I like cold desserts. > [@DesertDog](#): > > > [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > > > I got sent legal threats from an ice ball press manufacturer when I posted the instructions online (I forget who at the moment). > > Was there some sort of patentable process the mfr. had? 'Cause freezing water in a mold strikes me as preexisting art. Patents are not copyrighted. The whole point of a patent is that you disclose your invention so that others can reproduce it. In exchange, others have to pay you for the privilege of using it, for a limited time. Somebody explaining your patent is free publicity and marketing for you to get royalties from it. > [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > They claimed I “reverse engineered” their unit, which wasn’t true, and even if I had it wouldn’t have mattered. They need better lawyers. There’s no legal protection against reverse engineering. If someone decides not to patent their invention, it’s an accepted risk that someone else might get ideas by using or disassembling it. > [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > I edited out their name, though. That was probably the only arguably legitimate request. Using their trademark in association with something not their product. ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-these-ice-sphere-presses-so-expensive/955460/48 "2021-12-10T18:20:23Z")
That explains the hole in our roof–that overweight satellite must have crashed into it. ---
**Author:** ![mmmiiikkkeee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/edb3f5/32.png) [@mmmiiikkkeee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mmmiiikkkeee)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-these-ice-sphere-presses-so-expensive/955460/49 "2021-12-10T19:42:20Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > If someone decides not to patent their invention, it’s an accepted risk that someone else might get ideas by using or disassembling it. And most small inventors or even companies probably shouldn’t bother with a patent anyways. As [this fellow](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsIihrcqJYA) (an inventor himself) points out, if your design is successful people will copy it either by using/disassembling it, or following the design you submitted with your patent. You just need to decide how much money and time to waste trying to do anything about it (like manufacturers who spent a few thousand $ to send the threats about this machine which probably got them nothing in return). ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-these-ice-sphere-presses-so-expensive/955460/50 "2021-12-10T21:21:37Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > That was probably the only arguably legitimate request. Using their trademark in association with something not their product. The text was something like “Think ice ball makers from companies like XYZ are too expensive? Then make your own for under a tenth the price!” Given that I wasn’t actually selling anything, just providing instructions for my own design, it’s unlikely that any court would find for infringement. Still, you’re right–it was the only claim with even the tiniest shred of credibility, and I didn’t want to push my luck with the hosting site. Besides, I didn’t want to give them any extra visibility, so I was happy to delete the name. > [@Pleonast](#): > > They need better lawyers. This was not my first cease & desist letter. Lawyers write them up all the time with completely bogus reasoning. The problem is actually with the companies themselves, who rarely think about how harassing the community isn’t doing them any favors. The first company to send me a C&D actually apologized and sent me some hardware eventually, so that worked out. But then I went to work for their competitor and we ultimately bought them out. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-these-ice-sphere-presses-so-expensive/955460/51 "2021-12-10T21:43:30Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > Patents are not copyrighted. I took “instructions” to mean Dr. S’s instructions on how to machine his home-made press, not work the manufacturer’s press. The question of what might have been patentable remains unknown. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-these-ice-sphere-presses-so-expensive/955460/52 "2021-12-10T22:00:58Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > Lawyers write them up all the time with completely bogus reasoning. > [@](#): > > We shake papers at each other the way primitive tribes shake spears. – John Jay Osborne, _The Associates_ ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2021, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-these-ice-sphere-presses-so-expensive/955460/53 "2021-12-11T13:16:29Z")
It seems to me such fancy treats could be made & sold quite cheaply if they were distributed through supermarkets. ---
**Author:** ![Arcite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/67e7ee/32.png) [@Arcite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arcite)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-these-ice-sphere-presses-so-expensive/955460/54 "2021-12-15T00:05:29Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > I gave one of my friends [this set of glasses and bullet-shaped whiskey stones](https://www.amazon.com/Whiskey-Stainless-Chillers-Glasses-Boyfriend/dp/B08F5J68KM/r). He liked them so much he bought and gave me a set. I have a set of those stones (though mine are stone, not metal) and I was surprised by how poorly they work, even straight out of the freezer. It really reveals how much the cooling effect of ice is a result of the ice melting and the cold water mixing with the rest of the beverage, rather than conduction between the liquid beverage and the solid ice. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-these-ice-sphere-presses-so-expensive/955460/55 "2021-12-15T00:21:25Z")
> [@Arcite](#): > > a result of the ice melting and the cold water mixing with the rest of the beverage, rather than conduction between the liquid beverage and the solid ice. No, the problem isn’t conduction–it’s that the heat of fusion of water is so high. Suppose your household freezer starts at -18 C. 1 cm^3 of ice weighs about 1 g. Coming up to 0 C will absorb 38 joules from its heat capacity, and then another **334** joules while melting (372 J total). 1 cm^3 of stainless steel has a heat capacity of about 3.5 J/cm^3-C, or 63 J/cm^3 while going from -18 C to 0 C. I’m being generous here and going by volume instead of mass–SS has a density of about 7.5 g/cm^3. It’s still only about 17% as good as ice. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-these-ice-sphere-presses-so-expensive/955460/56 "2021-12-15T23:00:04Z")
Even if the ice doesn’t melt, water in any phase still has a significantly higher specific heat than steel. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2021, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-these-ice-sphere-presses-so-expensive/955460/57 "2021-12-15T23:09:56Z")
Yeah, but specific heat capacity is per unit mass, whereas I’m presuming constant volume (since glasses are volume limited). By volume, steel does a bit better since it’s so dense. ---
**Author:** ![abcdefghij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/43a26b/32.png) [@abcdefghij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abcdefghij)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2021, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-these-ice-sphere-presses-so-expensive/955460/58 "2021-12-16T02:37:37Z")
So then all we need to do is melt the steel to get the latent heat kicker. 245 J/g, baby! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-these-ice-sphere-presses-so-expensive/955460.md?page=2)