Portable Ice Maker Reviews

Portable Ice Maker Reviews

I think you will agree with me when I say, buying the best portable ice maker is the best decision you can ever make. Why? It allows you to get rid of the pesky ice trays which are not only slow in making ice but they make less ice too. Purchasing an ice maker allows you to have more ice than ever which is sufficient for your parties, barbecues and picnics.

Shopping for the best ice maker is not easy. You have to browse through multiple features and specifications. This can be quite confusing especially if it’s your first time. Want to make your shopping experience to be easier? Before buying any model, it is important to consider several factors.

How to choose the best portable ice maker

With the abundance of ice maker manufacturers, it can be quite difficult to distinguish which ice maker is suitable for you. To ease your dilemma, here are factors to consider when shopping for an ice maker.

Size

The unit should be compact in design allowing you to place the ice maker on a table or counter. This also makes it suitable for use in an RV, home kitchen, bar or restaurant.

Stainless steel housing

Stainless steel is a material that has corrosion resistant properties. This means that it cannot corrode or rust when it comes into contact with water assuring you of long term use. When shopping, opt for an ice maker with stainless steel or ABS housing.

Warning indicators

Warning indicators help to alert you when the water is low or when the ice bucket is full. It is wise to shop for a model that comes with warning indicators. This allows you to attend guests without worrying that the ice maker will utilize more power.

Highly optimized compressor

No one loves the whining noise of an electric motor. That is why the best ice maker should have a highly-optimized compressor. This ensures noise free operation.

Environmentally friendly refrigerant

Old compressors used to run refrigerant that produced fumes leading to CFC pollution. If you are planning to buy an ice maker, choose one that has an environmentally friendly refrigerant. This means you will play a part in promoting better environmental practices.

Recommended Product Reviews

Della Portable Electric Ice Maker Machine

As an award winning electric ice maker, it features modern compressor technology that allows efficient ice cube making. The ice maker machine is capable of producing 26 pounds of ice each day. It comes with a large transparent window. This allows the user to monitor the process of ice making as well as check the ice level.

Modern engineering technology has resulted in the fabrication of a sleek and performance oriented design. Thanks to its compact design, it fits perfectly on a bar or restaurant counter top. The unit is portable which means it works anywhere a power outlet is available.

The outer finish makes the ice maker to look attractive. No installation is required which means all you need is to unpack the unit, connect to a power outlet, add water and begin making your first batch of ice. The unit is able to create the first batch of ice within 6 minutes.

It has an integrated storage bin that is insulated and able to hold 1.5 pounds. The easy to use controls eliminate the need of technical training. You can turn on/off the ice maker using the easy to use controls. A light indicator is available that warns you when the reservoir is running low on water. It alerts you to add more water allowing more ice to be made. You will also be alerted when the ice bucket is full.

Features

  • Item weighs 21 pounds
  • Red in color
  • Full ice basket indicator
  • Automatic overflow protection
  • Operating voltage and current – 115 V and 230 watts

Pros

  • Has easy to use controls
  • Comes with a light indicator that indicates low water levels
  • Insulated storage bin holds 1.5 pounds of ice
  • The transparent window allows users to monitor ice levels
  • Automatic overflow protection prevents damage to the unit

Cons

  • Quite heavy at 21 pounds
  • Made with plastic material

Summary

If you are looking for a compact and easy to use ice maker, then I highly suggest you buy the Della Portable Electric Ice Maker Machine. It comes with an add-water indicator and full ice-basket indicator too.

With the automatic overflow protection feature, your ice maker is assured of longevity. Its compact design makes the ice maker perfect for use in your RV, boat, small kitchen, bar and restaurant. The beautiful outer finish should not fool you either; this ice maker will meet your ice-making needs with ease.

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Igloo ICEB26BK 26-Pound Automatic Counter top Ice Maker Machine

Planning a party is stressful enough on its own when it’s indoors. Bringing together enough food, good entertainment, seeing that no old arguments spring up among the guests–things can get pretty hectic. This all increases for outdoor or away from home parties where directions, weather, and an unfamiliar environment need to be taken into account.

Even small things like making sure there’s enough ice for everyone’s drinks become crucial details. Thankfully, this portable ice maker can cover at least one of those problems and make preparation that much easier. Small, fast, and convenient, it’ll freeze water into ice quickly anywhere as long as there’s an outlet nearby.

Features

  • Brightly lit LED control panel with settings for two different ice sizes
  • Powerful motor that makes a batch of ice in 6 minutes
  • Can produce up to 26 lbs of ice in one day, 1.5lbs at a time in the 2.3 quart reservoir
  • 20lbs and less than 2 sq. ft. for easy storage and travel
  • No setup required other than plugging it in
  • Comes with an ice scoop

Pros

  • Light and compact size makes it perfect to take outside, to an away from home party, or in an RV or boat
  • Also, easily fits on a counter for extra ice
  • Can make enough ice for a party beforehand or quickly stock up in an emergency
  • Can be left on all day as it uses a small amount of power and doesn’t lose energy with use
  • “Add water” light turns on when supply runs low
  • Automatically stops making ice when basket is full to prevent overflow
  • Doesn’t keep ice frozen, but will refreeze melted ice if left on

Cons

  • Takes around 15 minutes to get started and 30 to make consistent, well-packed pieces of ice
  • Can be hard to clean
  • Not battery powered; needs an outlet to plug into
  • A little noisy as it ages
  • Has to be refilled manually
  • In rare cases, ice gets stuck in the drop hole

Summary

For parties anywhere, this portable ice maker is a must. Instead of buying bags of ice or struggling to lug an entire cooler around, just pull this compact appliance out and add water. Get it running before the party to have fresh ice ready to go, or turn it on in the middle to fix a supply issue before things really start going downhill.

Either way, keeping everyone’s drinks cold and refreshing won’t be a problem and will leave that much extra time devoted to making sure everything else goes perfectly according to plan.

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Thinkgizmos Ice Machine

As a top rated residential ice maker, it is fabricated with quality stainless steel and ABS materials for the housing. Stainless steel is a tough material renowned for its corrosion resistant properties. This is the same with ABS material. It is tough assuring you of longevity.

The stainless-steel material gives the ice maker a stunning look. You can make a batch of ice cubes within 6 minutes. This means the ice maker is capable of producing 26 pounds within a day.

Three sizes can be selected – small, medium and large. The ice maker comes with easy to use controls available on a selection panel. They are easy to use allowing you to operate the machine without the need of reading a large instruction manual. No permanent installation is required nor any plumbing.

All you need to do to get started is unpack the ice maker and plug in the unit to a power outlet. Add water and switch the ice maker on. Within 6 minutes, you will have your first batch of ice. Say goodbye to ice trays.

This ice maker is built to last. It comes with a 12 month warranty that extends the life of the unit. The warranty provides coverage against manufacturing defects. It’s fitted with a well-engineered compressor. Unlike other models, the Thinkgizmos Ice Machine has a highly-optimized compressor that operates silently.

You don’t have to endure any noise. It features warning indicators that alert you when the ice bucket is low on water or full of ice. The handy viewing window provides a clear view of the ice bucket. This allows users to check the progress of the unit.

Features

  • Item weighs 25.4 pounds
  • Stainless steel and ABS housing
  • Highly optimized compressor
  • Easy to use controls
  • Warning indicators

Pros

  • Its fabricated with stainless steel and ABS materials assuring you of longevity
  • Features warning indicators that alert you when the ice bucket is full
  • Allows users to select 3 different ice cube sizes
  • Has a large ice bucket that holds 2.2 pounds of ice
  • Very easy to use

Cons

  • Takes 10 minutes to make ice
  • Cannot be used with an extension cord

Summary

It is wise to shop for an ice maker built with high quality materials which allows the selection of three different ice cubes sizes, has easy to use controls, comes in a compact design and 12 month warranty coverage. This is why I highly recommend the Thinkgizmos Ice Machine. It has all the above and much more.

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Koldfront Ultra Compact Portable Ice Maker

Are you in search of an icemaker that is not only compact but comes in an amazing design? The Koldfront Ultra Compact Portable Ice Maker comes in a lightweight design. This allows the ice maker to be perfect for use in an RV, home kitchen, restaurant and bar. Its compact nature allows the ice maker to be used on the table and counter tops too.

As a beautifully designed ice maker, it has a great output. It is able to produce 26 pounds of ice within a 24 hour period. To ensure faster serving, it only takes 10 minutes to prepare the first batch of ice. No permanent installation is required. You don’t even have to read an extensive instruction manual like other electrical products.

To start using the ice maker, just unpack it, connect the electric cord to a power outlet, fill the ice bucket with water and switch on the unit. After 10 minutes, you should have the first batch of ice. It is a free standing unit which means it supports itself well when placed on a flat surface. The storage bin is well insulated. This preserves the ice cubes for longer eliminating the chances of melting.

A warning indicator is available that alerts users when the tank is full or when it’s running low on water. It lacks a drain feature. Unlike other models that have a drain feature which means unused water can be drained away, the Koldfront Ultra Compact Portable Ice Maker utilizes every drop. This makes the unit to be economical because it does not waste any resources.

Features

  • Item weighs 28.2 pounds
  • 1 year warranty coverage
  • Power 230 w
  • Electronic control panel
  • Standalone model

Pros

  • Comes with easy to use controls. Turning on/off the model is simple
  • Has an insulated storage bin that holds 1.5 pounds of water
  • Produces 26 pounds of ice in a day
  • Comes in a compact and portable design
  • Can be placed practically anywhere

Cons

  • Does not come with a free scoop
  • Limited information on the type of material used in fabrication of the housing.

Summary

Majority of home owners are used to pesky ice trays. They are slow and result in the process of making ice to be a difficult. Looking for an ice maker model that makes work easier? The Koldfront Ultra Compact Portable Ice Maker is the answer.

Compact in design, stunning exterior, easy to use controls, 1.5 pounds of storage capacity and lacks the drain features. This is why I highly recommend the Koldfront Ultra Compact Portable Ice Maker to all shoppers.

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NewAir AI-100R 28-Pound Portable Icemaker

You can finally retire your ice cube trays for good and purchase the NewAir AI-100R 28-Pound Portable Icemaker. The ice maker makes it easy to stock up ice for everyday use and for entertaining. It comes in a portable and compact design making it perfect for use in any location where a power outlet is available.

You don’t need to buy extra ice cube trays again, this ice maker will provide you with all the ice your parties, picnics and barbecues will ever need. It produces 28 pounds of ice each day. Three cube sizes are offered. You can select between small, medium and large sized ice cubes.

The fast freezing cycle feature helps to produce a new batch of ice cubes after 6 to 15 minutes. This eliminates the chances of you waiting for too long for fresh ice. As said earlier, the unit comes in a portable design.

This makes it perfect for use in the RV, bar, restaurant and home kitchen. Its portability ensures easy clean up too. It features a side mounted drain making it easy to clean. All you need to do is pull the plug and let the unused water drain away.

The ice maker is fitted with electronic controls that feature a push button operation. Indicator lights are available too which alert the user when to add water and when the ice is ready. It is easy to use the ice maker, all you need to do is plug into a power outlet, fill the tank with water and start making ice. It requires no permanent installation.

Its compact size ensures that the unit is able to fit on tables, counter-tops and other tight spaces. Unlike other models that use harmful refrigerant, the NewAir AI-100R 28-Pound Portable Icemaker does not. Its refrigerant is environmentally friendly preventing damage to the ozone layer.

Features

  • Item weighs 24.30 pounds
  • Side mounted drain
  • Electronic control panel
  • Compact design
  • 155 Volts and 120 watts

Pros

  • The unit is easy to clean. Just unplug the side drain and allow the water to drain
  • Its portable and compact. Fits on tabletops ad counters
  • Produces 28 pounds of ice
  • Allows you to select small, medium or large sized ice cubes
  • Produces a new batch of ice every 6 to 15 minutes

Cons

  • Lacks a self-cleaning function
  • Not energy star rated

Summary

I highly recommend the NewAir AI-100R 28-Pound Portable Icemaker. It comes in a compact design making it portable. This ensures the unit is able to fit on counter-tops and tables.

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Final Verdict

When shopping for an ice maker perfect for picnics, barbecues and parties, there are factors to consider. These will help you to make wise decisions allowing you to have a better shopping experience. They include size, stainless steel housing, large ice bucket, warning indicators, transparent windows, micro intelligent control, highly optimized compressor and environmentally friendly refrigerant.

Planning to shop for an ice maker any time soon? I highly recommend one of the ice makers reviewed above.

Go Portable Ice Maker