We know making ice isn’t the hardest job in the world and that mostly all fridges these days have the ability to make ice. But how annoying is it when you forget to make the ice yourself? Or when your refrigerator’s ice capacity isn’t enough for your daily use? If you have people over often, have a big family, or just like to make cocktails in your home bar, not having enough ice at all times can be a disappointment. That’s why we gathered the best ice makers on the market to help you with that.
Ice makers can make your life a lot easier, but there are a lot of things to consider when choosing the best one to purchase. The two main categories of ice makers meant to be used at home are countertop and under-counter models. The first one is smaller and lighter, and you can have one installed as a built-in or find a portable option. The under-counter ones are larger and usually go right by a wine cooler or any other appliances that take up a bit more space.
That way, you need to understand where you are planning on leaving your ice maker. Right on your kitchen countertop? Or below your home bar? Maybe outside, so it’s easier to reach during barbecues and events? If you plan on using the ice maker for many tasks around the house and in different scenarios, maybe getting a portable one would be the best idea. But, if you know you are getting it especially for craft cocktails at home, getting a built-in model might be worth it.
In any way, choosing the right model to fit your needs is really important, mostly because the best ice makers on the market can get a little pricey – but are worth the investment.
What to look for in the best ice makers?
As we explained before, there is a lot to be taken into consideration when choosing which ice maker model to buy. Here, we gathered the main features to look for in an ice maker so you can get the one that will better fit your personal needs and tastes.
- Size
Ice makers come in all varieties of sizes, and choosing the size is directly connected with what you are going to use the machine for. You can get a countertop one and set it up on your kitchen or home bar every time you need an ice supply. Or you can get a larger model that requires more floor space and leave it running at the garage, or in your backyard, at all times.
- Speed
The speed of your ice maker depends on how quickly you need your ice and what you need it for. Are you looking to make a lot of ice at once in a quick way so you can keep it stored? Or do you want a constant supply flowing at all times? If you don’t have anywhere to store all the ice quickly made on the machine, maybe getting one that makes less ice but in hourly spam would be the best choice.
- Ice Storage Capacity
As we explained about the speed, maybe you got a machine that produces a lot of ice really quickly but doesn’t have enough storage to keep it all in. That way, you would need to keep an eye on your ice maker and remove the ice to store it somewhere else when the machine gets full. That is a great option if you like to plan ahead and make a lot of ice at once. But, if you don’t have anywhere to store it or just don’t way to babysit your ice maker, maybe getting one with a larger storage capacity might be the best way to go. That way, you won’t need to keep unloading the ice maker and won’t need any independent storage.
How do countertop ice makers work? Do they need a water line?
There are a lot of different models of ice makers out there which can work in distinct ways. But, in general, the best ice makers on the market work in a standard way. First, the water is pumped into the molds so the ice can start being made. The machine monitors the freezing process of the water, and as soon as the ice in the molds is frozen, the ice maker slightly increases the temperature of the molds. That happens so the ice can easily release from the mold and be transferred into the storage bin. This process happens at different speeds and quantities, depending on your ice maker’s size and speed. The amount of time the process will be repeated also depends on the storage capacity of the machine and its water supply.
When it comes to the water supply, there are ice makers models that are portable, meant to be moved around easily. Those kinds of machines usually come with a water reservoir, which is great for functionality, but you will always need to keep an eye on the machine and add more water as needed. On the other hand, there are built-in models that require a water line to work and sometimes even a drain.
The Best Ice Makers on Amazon
Now you understand how ice makers work, why you need them, and how to choose the best one for you regarding size, speed, capacity, and placement. So, it’s time to go shopping! We gathered the best ice makers available on Amazon to make it easier for you to choose the right fit for you!
Once you’ve chosen which one to get, you can purchase it through this article! All you have to do is click the product’s link.
Frigidaire EFIC103 26-Pound Freestanding Ice Maker
Igloo Automatic Portable Electric Countertop Ice Maker Machine
GE Profile Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker the spruce eats
