I like to clean my ball after every practice and league night using Storm Reacta Ball Cleaner Wipes. I thought I was staying on top of cleaning my ball. But my ball was not reacting like it did when new. So I made the investment for Pyramid Phoenix Personal Ball Revivor and after the first 30 minutes of use lane oil was pouring off my ball. Completed the second 30 minute session and my ball is like new again. I cleaned my buddies ball too and had similar results. I'm very glad I made the investment and I now have confidence that my ball is ready for league play week to week. Seems safe and is easy to use. Well made product.

The media could not be loaded. The Pyramid Phoenix Ball Revivor, uses a forced air heating system to heat a bowling ball to extract oil from the ball by circulating heat evenly around the ball.

About me I've been bowling for almost 30 years and have had a lot of experience using many ball cleaning and surfacing products, I even pieced together my own DIY ball revivor which I used for many years. So I feel I have a good eye for what works and doesn't in regard to ball cleaning.

The unit I got worked as advertised, it only required some simple assembly before use. Operation was simple I just placed my ball in the unit and pressed the on/off/ button to start the preset 30 minute heating cycle.

The unit automatically shut itself off at the end of the cycle, I opened it and wiped the now oil covered ball off, turning the ball over I replaced it into the unit and started a second heating cycle.

At the end of the cycle I removed the again oil covered ball and sprayed some ball cleaner on it and wiped away the oil. Thee ball was now clean and the surface "tacky" again. I'll give it 5 Stars.

Pros:
1: The heating unit is at the bottom of the Revivor, I like this because since heat naturally rises I believe the ball will heat more evenly (This is like my DIY one). Similar devices heat from the top down so have to force the heated air downwards.

2: Construction is fairly solid and of good quality.

3: The big ball cup in this can be taken out and used on your table if you need to have something to set the ball on.

4: It's made in sections which allow for easy cleaning and ball placement.

5: Price is lower than other similar units.

Cons:
1: This is a small nitpick the lid is just a little fiddly when you put it on, you might have jiggle it around so it seats fully.

How I reached my 5 star rating:
I've tested the Phoenix's operation for eight hours and with 7 balls from different mfg's, Checking internal and ball surface temperatures during this period.

I started with a internal temperature test (using a digital thermometer w/probe ) without any ball in it. Over a half hour cycle the temperature slowly rose to a final temperature of 153° which I figured was within the operating range. With a ball in the unit, the internal temperature still reached 153°.

(Note: I found probe placement could affect readings. Such as against the cylinder wall.)

Using a low cost IR thermometer ball surface temperatures measurements fell in the 120°-130° range which is about where you want it and where most other home revivor type machines reach.

This a new product from Pyramid Bowling and functions well IMO. I have several of Pyramids products and they are decent also and Bowlingball.com and Pyramid Bowling are pretty good about helping customers if they have a problem or questions about a product.

Works as it should, easy to use. Breaks down nicely for storage. I have recommended it to a couple others who asked me about it. Very good for the value

Despite the negative reviews, this revivor system really works! Upon receiving the unit, I cleaned my first ball. I was pleasantly surprised to see that a good amount of oil was extracted during the cleaning process.

After letting the unit cool down, I went to clean a second ball. I noticed that the plastic lid had warped and become deformed (likely due to the heat put out) and did not seed completely to the top of the unit.

Nevertheless, I went ahead and cleaned a second ball, even with the warped lid ( and incomplete seal). The unit still extracted a good amount of oil.

I then contacted Pyramid customer service and explained the issue with the lid. I was told he never heard of that before. I was asked to submit photos and a brief narrative of what happened. I am currently awaiting a response/disposition from Pyramid.

Despite the lid issue, I highly recommend this unit if you are looking for an affordable bowling ball cleaning system (compared to $75 per ball my local pro charges).

Happy bowling!

UPDATE: 12/7/22

Just wanted to comment on how expeditious and friendly Pyramid's customer service was. I received the new lid approximately one week after I contacted them about the damaged lid. Thank you Pyramid!!!!

I have been bowling for years and have had a few balls lose their hook along the way. I used this product on my Brunswick Rampage (that I have used since about 2005). When I ran the two cycles no oil was visible on the outside of the ball (I figured it didn't work). I then tested it on my Black Widow which lost its hook over a year ago. Still no oil visible on the ball. I used a ball cleaner on them then went to the bowling alley. Both balls reacted like they were new, I couldn't believe the hook I was getting.

This product is going to save me a lot of money on new balls in the future. I recommend this to anyone who has ever lost their hook on their ball.