Everything you need to know about choosing a home ice maker

When the weather’s hot, having plenty of ice on hand to keep your drinks cold is a must. But even if your fridge is equipped with an ice maker, you may not be able to produce as much ice as quickly as you need it.

A dedicated home ice maker can create as much ice as you need for parties, barbecues and other group gatherings. If you’re thinking about investing in a home ice maker, here are all the facts you need to make the right choice.

How does an ice maker work?

Most home ice makers have a tank or reservoir that you fill with water. When the maker is turned on, the water is pumped from the tank to a container where prongs full of refrigerant freeze the water until it forms ice. The ice maker shifts the prongs into warming mode when the ice is made, so the ice cubes easily fall from the container into a bucket. You must empty the bucket and refill the water tank as necessary to ensure a steady supply of ice.

Ice maker benefits

If your refrigerator has a built-in ice maker or you’re used to making ice in your freezer with ice cube trays, you may be wondering if you really need a home ice maker. But there are quite a few advantages to having a dedicated ice maker:

Home ice makers produce large amounts of ice quickly. A built-in fridge ice maker typically produces less than a pound an hour, while ice cube trays yield 18 cubes or fewer at a time. A standalone home ice maker can usually make between 24 and 50 pounds a day, so they work well if you go through a lot of ice or entertain regularly and need enough ice for a large group.

Stand-alone ice makers are typically portable. If you need ice for camping, boating, tailgating or RV trips, you can easily bring the appliance along.

How to choose an ice maker

Figure out how much ice you need

While standalone or portable ice makers produce a greater volume of ice than a built-in refrigerator ice maker or freezer ice trays, there’s some variation among machines. For example, some ice makers produce about 20 pounds of ice daily, while others can make as much as 50 pounds in a 24-hour period. Most models make 24 to 35 pounds daily, which is usually enough for households that use a great deal of ice or entertain regularly.

Decide whether you need a portable model

Most standalone ice makers offer a compact, lightweight design, so they’re easy to move around. Other ice makers are large or designed for under-counter installation to provide an extremely large volume of ice, so they’re not portable. If you want to take your ice maker on the go or just prefer a model you can easily take in and out of a cabinet, opt for a portable model. If you need a machine that can produce as much ice as possible, though, go with a stationary ice maker.

Determine what type of ice you need

You might think that all ice cubes are the same, but there’s quite a bit of choice regarding the shape and size of the cubes that an ice maker produces. You can find ice makers that make traditional cubes, half cubes, crescent, nugget or bullet ice cubes, depending on your preferences. In addition, some models can produce multiple types of ice cubes for added versatility. You can also find ice makers that let you choose between small, medium and large cube sizes.

Identify how quickly you need your ice

If your household goes through ice quickly, you should also consider how fast an ice maker can produce a batch of ice. In most cases, a maker won’t start making ice as soon as you pour water into the tank. Instead, it can take anywhere from five to 20 minutes to produce its first batch. Remember that some machines may take less time to make subsequent batches once they’re warmed up.

Consider special features

Some home ice makers offer special features that make them easier to use and maintain. Choosing an ice maker with refrigerated storage can be convenient, so you don’t need to transfer it to your freezer to prevent melting. You may also want a model with a self-cleaning feature, which makes maintenance much easier. Some ice makers also have a built-in water filter to ensure you get the best-tasting ice possible.

FAQ

Q. Do I need a home ice maker if my fridge has a built-in ice maker?

A. It depends on how much ice you typically go through and how much ice your built-in maker can produce. If you don’t use much ice daily, your fridge’s ice maker is likely sufficient. But if you and your family go through large quantities of ice or regularly host large gatherings, a standalone ice maker is probably more efficient.

Q. How often should I clean my home ice maker?

A. You should deep clean your ice maker every two to six months. If you use your machine often, though, you may want to give it a good cleaning monthly.

What you need to buy for home ice making

Newair Countertop Ice Maker

This BPA-free countertop ice maker can produce up to 50 pounds of ice each 24-hour period, so it’s ideal for large families or anyone who entertains regularly. It only requires six minutes to make a batch and has a programmable timer to prevent you from running out of ice.

Where to buy: Sold by Newair and Amazon

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Homelabs Portable Ice Maker for Countertop

If you’re looking for an ice maker that can produce a batch quickly, this model can make 1.5 pounds in eight minutes or fewer. It also offers a choice between small and medium cubes and includes an ice bucket and scoop.