Ice Maker

If your freezer doesn’t include an ice maker, or the freezer’s ice maker can’t meet your needs, a separate ice machine provides the ideal solution. Ice makers can sit on the countertop, install built-in to your cabinets, or install freestanding.

Countertop ice makers come in direct connection or portable options. A direct connection ice maker includes a direct connection to the water line and uses that water to make the ice, while a portable ice maker includes a water tank that users fill manually. The ice maker uses the water in the tank to produce the ice, and they work anywhere, including RVs, boats, camping trips, or tailgating. Whynter makes compact portable ice makers at less than 15 inches wide so that they can fit anywhere.

A built-in ice maker refers to a direct plumbing ice maker that installs built-in to cabinets, saving countertop space. Built-in ice makers use front venting, which means they have no clearance required on the other three sides of the unit. A built-in ice maker becomes a permanent appliance in the kitchen, so this type works well for people who plan on using it often. Freestanding ice makers sit on the floor and require some clearance on all sides, like a refrigerator.

Ice makers come in various shapes and sizes, and you may find a variety of cubes in your ice scoop that include full cubes, crescent cubes, and bullet cubes.

Full cubes make for the best all-purpose ice cubes. They melt slowly, which makes them suited for many uses such as chilling a drink and keeping a cooler cold.

Often seen in commercial ice makers, bullet-shaped ice cubes feature a cylinder shape with a rounded end and a hole in the middle allows them to melt evenly. They quickly chill drinks, and their small size makes them easy to blend.

Crescent ice resembles a crescent with a flat half and a rounded half. Due to their hardness and large size, crescent ice cubes work best in coolers and large cups and their shape allows them to melt slowly and prevents splashing when pouring a drink.

When choosing an ice maker, first consider where you want to use it. For a permanent fixture, consider a built-in or direct connection countertop model. If you plan on moving the ice maker from place to place or using it somewhere with no water connection, consider a portable model. Additionally, a marine ice maker allows for a built-in option in locations such as boats, yachts, and RVs, and constructed of marine-grade hardware, these units have a design suited for mobile locations.

Additionally, consider the ice storage capacity of the machine. Each ice maker produces a certain amount of ice in 24 hours, which can range from under 25 lbs to 50 lbs. Besides daily ice production, each machine offers a certain storage bin capacity. This can range from under 1.5 to 25 pounds of ice, depending on the model.

Also consider the color of the ice maker. Many ice makers offer options in different colors, such as black or stainless steel, so choose the one that best fits your décor.