Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions? Find answers to common inquiries about ordering, shipping, returns, and using The Spherificator® below.

Product Information & Usage

The Spherificator® is an automatic device that transforms liquids into spheres – creating caviar-like pearls for cocktails, food, and desserts.

It uses sodium alginate (mixed into your liquid) and a calcium chloride bath to create spheres. When droplets hit the bath, a gel membrane forms instantly around them.

Your Spherificator® package includes:

  • 1 x Spherificator device
  • 1 x Power cord
  • 1 x Manual & recipe booklet
  • 408g sodium alginate
  • 100g calcium chloride
  • 50g sodium citrate
  • 2 x nozzles (different sizes)
  • Prep: 5–10 mins (mixing alginate, dissolving calcium).
  • Dripping: 1–3 mins per batch.
  • Setting: 30 secs–1 min in the calcium bath.

You’ll need:

Sodium Alginate – for gel formation
Calcium Chloride – to solidify the spheres
Sodium Citrate – to adjust acidity (if needed)

All three ingredients are included with your Spherificator®!

Best served within 15 minutes for the “burst-in-mouth” effect. Store max 24 hours (they’ll solidify but remain tasty).

Almost any liquid, including:

  • Fruit juices, syrups, coffee, tea
  • Alcohol (vodka, whiskey, rum)
  • Sauces (hot sauce, balsamic)
  • Dairy/plant-based milks (adjust alginate as needed)
  • Avoid: High-calcium liquids (e.g., milk without citrate) or solids.

Yes, but high-proof alcohol (>20%) may require extra sodium citrate to counteract acidity.

Yes, but let them go flat first (carbonation creates bubbles that weaken pearls).

Yes! Add extra sodium alginate (1.5x) for best results, as plant milks have lower viscosity.

It creates caviar-sized pearls and slightly larger spheres, depending on nozzle size and liquid flow rate.

The Spherificator® is optimized for caviar-sized pearls (2–5mm). For larger spheres, use manual methods (e.g., spoon dripping).

Possible fixes:

  • Increase sodium alginate (thicker mixture = stronger membrane).
  • Use sodium citrate for acidic liquids (e.g., citrus, alcohol).
  • Ensure calcium bath is fresh (don’t reuse).

Rinse them thoroughly after removing from the calcium bath to remove excess calcium chloride.

No. The reaction depletes the calcium ions. Always prepare a fresh bath (1 tsp calcium chloride per 2 cups water).

Spheres are best consumed immediately. If stored too long, they may dissolve.

Visit our Recipes Page or join the Spherificator Addicts Facebook group for user-shared ideas!

Common causes:

  • Alginate dried in hoses (clean immediately after use).
  • Calcium chloride added to the funnel (only use in the bath).
  • Mixture too thick (dilute with water/sodium citrate).

1️⃣ Disassemble removable parts
2️⃣ Rinse with warm water
3️⃣ Run clean water through the device

🚫 Do NOT put the The Spherificator® in the dishwasher.

NO! Never wash under running water or in a dishwasher. Clean manually with a bottle brush and damp cloth (see manual).

Yes! The Spherificator® and its ingredients are food-grade and 100% safe for culinary use.

Yes! All materials are food-grade, BPA-free, and safe for culinary use.

1-year limited warranty covers manufacturing defects. Void if tampered with, water-damaged, or misused. Contact support at hello@thespherificator.com.

Ordering & Payment

Our online shop is powered by WooCommerce Payments which uses SSL encryption and secure payment processing to protect your credit card and personal information.

We accept:
  • Credit & Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover, Diners Club)
  • Digital Wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Meta Pay, Venmo, Shop Pay)
For more details, see our Payment Policy.

If your order hasn’t shipped yet, please contact us within 24 hours to update your address. Once your order is in transit, we cannot make changes.

Orders can be canceled before they ship. If your order has already been processed, please refer to our Return and Refund Policy for next steps.

Yes! Contact us at hello@thespherificator.com for wholesale inquiries or bulk pricing (e.g., for restaurants, bars, or event planners).

Not currently, but we’re exploring installment payment options. Check back soon!

Sales tax is applied based on your shipping address in compliance with local regulations.

Shipping & Delivery

Yes! We offer free standard shipping on all orders within the Continental United States.

Orders placed before 12:00 PM EST (Monday-Friday) are shipped within 24 hours. Orders placed after Friday 12:00 PM EST will be processed on Monday.

All orders are shipped from:

📍 1314 N Nias Ave, Springfield, MO 65802, USA

Once your order ships, you will receive a tracking number via email. Use this number to track your package online.

Yes! We ship to the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. Need it shipped elsewhere? Please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

No, we do not ship to P.O. Boxes. Please provide a physical address at checkout.

Couriers like UPS/FedEx require physical addresses for delivery confirmation. This helps prevent lost packages.

Contact us immediately. We’ll file a claim with the carrier and work to resolve the issue (replacements subject to investigation).

Due to the high cost of international express shipping, we handle these rare requests on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us at hello@thespherificator.com before placing your order so we can provide you with pricing and delivery options for your country.

Buyers are responsible for any customs fees. Check your country’s import policies before ordering.

Returns & Refunds

You can return items within 30 days of purchase. Refunds are processed within 10 business days after we receive the item. For full details, visit our Return and Refund Policy.
If your package is damaged upon arrival, refuse delivery if possible. Otherwise, contact us immediately for assistance.
We’ll cover return shipping and send the correct product ASAP. Contact us with photos of the received item.

For safety reasons, we can’t accept returns on opened consumables (alginate, calcium chloride, etc.). Unopened packets are refundable.

Maintenance & Troubleshooting

  1. Flush with warm water immediately.
  2. Use a toothpick to clear the nozzle.
  3. Avoid pulpy liquids – strain them first.

After every 5–10 uses, disassemble and soak parts in warm, soapy water for 10 mins.

Yes! Your Spherificator® includes two screw-in nozzles (small and medium sizes) that you can easily swap to create different pearl sizes. If you need replacement nozzles, they’re available for purchase – just contact us at hello@thespherificator.com

Miscellaneous

Yes. Faster delivery options are available at checkout for an additional fee.

Currently, we do not offer gift wrapping or personalized messages, but we plan to add this soon!

While we don’t currently offer live classes, you’ll find plenty of spherification inspiration in these resources:
  • Included printed recipe guide with your Spherificator®
  • Our online recipe collection on our Recipes page.
  • Follow us on any one of our social media platforms

All additives are vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-friendly.

Not recommended. The device is designed for food-safe materials only.

We love partnerships! Email hello@thespherificator.com with your ideas.

Sure! Try these expert tricks:

  • Carbonated Drinks Hack: Love fizzy cocktails? Let sodas or sparkling water go flat before spherifying—bubbles break delicate spheres!
  • Flavor Layering: Create stunning multi-colored pearls by dripping alternating liquids (e.g., mango + lime) into the bath.
  • Storage Trick: Need spheres to last longer? Store them in a weak calcium lactate rinse (not plain water) for up to 24 hours.
  • Extra Texture: Roll finished spheres in crushed nuts, cocoa powder, or edible glitter for added flair.
  • Pulp-Free Pearls: Always strain juices or pulpy liquids for smoother spheres and to prevent clogs.