An ice support and storage tray includes one or more cavities having upwardly facing spherical surface portions that support spherical pieces of ice. The tray is preferably made of a material having a low thermal conductivity to reduce melting of the spherical pieces of ice. The spherical support surfaces minimize melting points that could otherwise cause the spherical pieces of ice to melt and develop irregular surface shapes. The ice tray may be used in a freezer having an ice maker that transports spheres of ice to the ice support cavities. The ice storage tray may be configured to permit removal of spheres of ice without tipping the tray upside down and/or twisting/deforming the tray.

An ice support and storage tray includes one or more cavities having upwardly facing spherical surface portions that support spherical pieces of ice. The tray is preferably made of a material having a low thermal conductivity to reduce melting of the spherical pieces of ice. The spherical support surfaces minimize melting points that could otherwise cause the spherical pieces of ice to melt and develop irregular surface shapes. The ice tray may be used in a freezer having an ice maker that transports spheres of ice to the ice support cavities. The ice storage tray may be configured to permit removal of spheres of ice without tipping the tray upside down and/or twisting/deforming the tray.

A holding assembly for frozen edible solids includes an outer cylinder with a spiral groove defined on an inner surface of the outer cylinder. The holding assembly also includes an inner cylinder positioned within the outer cylinder. The inner cylinder defines a slot extending in the axial direction. The holding assembly further includes a platform positioned within the inner cylinder. The platform is translatable along the axial direction within the inner cylinder. The holding assembly also includes a grip positioned at the outer cylinder. The grip is configured to rotate the inner cylinder within the outer cylinder. A method of operating the holding assembly includes rotating the grip of the holding assembly, translating the platform within the inner cylinder, and lifting frozen edible solids in the axial direction out of the outer cylinder.