Ice can offer you a much-needed respite from the heat and bring down your body temperature. For many in the summer months, especially in the U.S.A, where they love ice, it is a necessity for any drink. From tea to coffee all the way up to cocktails, what machine is best for your at-home bar?
The best ice machines currently on the market offer several settings and features without being excessively expensive.
These include clear ice, bullet ice, and nugget ice which make a wonderful addition to your next beverage. Last, ensure your machine fits securely in your bar to avoid complications with its functioning and operation.
We’ve created a list of the top 6 ice machines you can conveniently order. Each unit has an impressive four stars or more on Amazon and can fit almost any space and budget.
Keep reading to get all the information you need before choosing your ice machine!
1. Frigidaire EFIC03
The Frigidaire unit is compact and perfect for keeping on your countertop. It can produce up to 26 pounds of ice in a single day despite its size.
The size of this unit makes it ideal for anyone living in a small apartment or some other small living space where it’s hard to keep a large ice maker.
The insulation of the unit is sufficient but not very thick. Therefore, you might need to make your ice and move it to the freezer for long-term storage. However, the unit should keep your ice good and cold for hosting parties or for a few days of storage.
It’s also one of the most affordable varieties for its capacity. It’s currently listed on Amazon for $139.95, making less than higher-end, larger models, but not exactly a cheap model. We will discuss a few models at lower prices later, but this unit gets the top ranking due to its affordability and capacity.
2. Luma Comfort Clear Ice Cube Maker Machine
Luma is a wonderful, affordable, and capable ice maker for anyone wanting to make the finest ice for their cocktails.
Similar to the Frigidaire unit, it is relatively small and convenient but a bit more expensive, which is why we put it below Frigidaire.
Luma produces up to 28 pounds of ice in a single day. These ice cubes are pristine, crystal clear ice. As any expert cocktail creator would know, this sort of ice offers the best experience.
Not only is it better tasting than cloudy or unclear ice cubes, but these cubes also last much longer as well.
One key aspect which sets it apart from the Frigidaire is its notification panel. Luma will notify you when it is out of water and running low on ice, making it ideal for people who don’t want to run out at a party.
3. Igloo ICEB26HNSS Automatic Self-Cleaning Portable Electric Countertop Ice Maker Machine
Igloo ice maker is all about convenience and efficiency. Igloo may lack any frills or thrills, but it’s hailed for quickly making delicious-tasting ice. With the first nine cubes appearing within 7 minutes, you’ll have ice for your drinks in no time.
It’s small enough to fit in almost any tight place and thus can be kept on your bar counter or kitchen counters. Its features make it an ideal fit for anyone who wants a machine they rarely ever have to think about.
These features include a convenient control panel with notifications listed to alert the user. If the machine is running out of ice or has finished creating ice, it will give you a quick notification!
And, perhaps the best feature among them all, it has a self-cleaning mechanism. This means you can always expect fresh, delicious ice.
However, they are known for being somewhat soft, which some prefer, but it also means they melt much faster than solid clear ice.
4. Newair Portable Countertop Clear Ice Maker with FrozenFall Technology
The Newair ice maker is a beast of a machine, with multiple capabilities and the ability to hold up to 45 pounds of ice. The size makes it a powerful kitchen appliance, and the customization settings allow you to make your ice the way you want.
The major downsides of this machine are the size and price. Each of these aspects is to be expected from a machine with such a maximum capacity as this. But, since it can’t fit into everyone’s kitchen or budget, it can’t get a top ranking.
However, if you’re looking for coffee shop quality ice for your drinks, this is for you. Not only does it let you customize the type of ice you want, but it has an excellent reputation for staying cool for a long time.
5. GE Profile Opal 2.0: Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
This machine is perfect for anyone wishing to make their bar an official spot for weekend gatherings. But, it’s also so much more than this. It makes the famous restaurant grade nugget or shaved ice.
Nugget ice is made by compacting ice crystals with satisfying air pockets throughout. This makes it ideal for soft drinks, cocktails, and blended beverages.
While it is easy to crunch between your teeth, it also maintains its integrity over long periods when sitting in your drink.
This means it will keep your drinks cool for a long time. But, since it has air pockets throughout, it won’t spoil your drink once it finally does melt.
The machine has a convenient side tank and holds up to 3 pounds of ice. With an easily accessible peek window at the top, you’ll never have to worry about running out of ice. It’s simply the noise, price, and size which puts it below the other machines on this list.
6. Magic Chef MCIM22B 27-Pound Portable Ice Maker
This lightweight, convenient, and comfortably sized ice maker is perfect for the adventurer. It easily fits into small spaces, but it does not have the carrying capacity or power of the larger units.
However, one of the most unique aspects of this ice maker is its ability to go with you on the road. It fits easily in RVs or other campers, allowing you to make delicious drinks on the go. But, you won’t want to bring this mini-unit to a large party or gathering.
This maker is affordable and compact, making it accessible to most buyers. But, due to its holding capacity, it might not be the best choice for those of you who host large gatherings at home.
What Should You Look For In a Good Ice Maker?
When selecting your ice maker, keep an eye out for variety, efficiency, and the type of ice it makes. You will want a machine that can make cubes, nuggets, and possibly shredded ice. This variety will allow you to make more quality beverages without any extra work.
There are several aspects to consider when choosing your ice maker, including the type of ice you want. A good ice maker will make semi-soft ice that will not dilute your drink or hurt your teeth when you bite them.
There are three general varieties of ice makers available on the market. The type you select is heavily determined by the number of people you want to entertain with it and the amount of space you have.
The three general types of ice makers include:
- Clear ice
- Regular ice
- Portable maker
Clear ice is the best quality ice for cocktails, smoothies, and other drinks. But, some people prefer regular ice, which is the kind you get from your freezer in an ice cube tray.
These machines are typically less fancy and don’t have the nice taste of a clear ice maker. However, if your goal is to entertain children at birthday parties, these cheaper machines should be fine.
Another important thing to remember about clear ice makers is they don’t usually have a cooling mechanism. This means that once the ice drops from the machine into the bin, it is only insulated, not cooled like a freezer. You should plan on making the ice a day before your party is planned to avoid it melting.
Most ice machines won’t make a mess when it thaws. You’ll want to ensure your machine has a recycling system so that the water is recycled back into the water tank when the ice melts. Not only does this save water, but it also prevents a giant mess.
Another option is to make your ice and collect it in an ice bin to store in the freezer. However, we don’t recommend this if you want the best quality ice. The reason the ice bin in your machine isn’t kept cold like a freezer is to preserve the quality.
When ice is frozen in a freezer, it tends to get hard and cloudy. Although some people prefer this, it’s not typically desired in fine drinks. If you want ice like in restaurants and coffee bars, you’ll want to keep it in the ice bin and use it as soon as possible!
How Much Space Do You Need For an Ice Machine?
The amount of space you will need for your ice machine depends on the size. However, for most common-sized at-home ice machines, you will need a minimum of one foot between the counter and above cupboards. Additionally, you will need several inches for the vents to breathe.
Most small ice machines (such as the ones we listed) can fit comfortably on a countertop. They are larger than an air fryer but typically smaller than a microwave or conventional oven.
If you are looking to keep it below a cupboard, make sure you leave 6 inches to 1 foot between it.
This will allow you to easily open the top of your bin without scraping your cabinets. Most small ice machines are between 2-3 feet tall, so check this before ordering yours.
Make sure you have at least two inches between the unit and the back wall and appliances alongside it. This will allow your machine to breathe, so it does not overheat.
Can You Get An Industrial Ice Maker in Your Home?
You can install an industrial or large-sized ice maker in your home. However, they require more attention and a drainage pipe installed. If you choose to install one of these large units, you will need to have this installed by an expert.
There are perks to having a large, industrial-sized ice maker. They are more efficient and offer more ice per production time. However, they are really only useful if you use a lot of ice.
They can produce 500-800 pounds of ice every day. This is a lot more ice than most people can consume in a single day, and they are not usually refrigerated, so the ice may melt before you use it.
However, some people who use a lot of ice find them preferable to smaller units. We do not recommend them, however. They are designed for cafes, restaurants, and other companies that provide daily drinks to dozens of people.
Are Ice Machines Expensive to Run?
Small, home ice machines are not very expensive to run. On average, they cost between $20-$30 to run each month. This can vary based on the size, efficiency, and how often you have it run to make ice.
Unplugging your ice maker when it’s not in use is one of the best ways to prevent wasted energy. Ice machines should be left plugged in while you’re using them.
It must be left plugged in during the ice production. But, if you have a clear ice maker, you can unplug it once it finishes since the ice bin is not usually refrigerated for these units.
If you have a traditional ice maker, you will want to leave it plugged in until the ice is used up. To avoid wasted energy and thus a high power bill, you should try to make just the amount you think you will use.
Alternatively, you can keep your ice in a bin in your freezer since this will already be plugged in and using power.
Purchasing an energy star appliance can add additional savings to your bill every month. Energy star appliances are significantly more efficient than traditional models and will likely save you up to 20% every month.
Other Ways to Prevent Wasted Energy
You can also save energy by ensuring your unit has proper breathing space and performing regular cleaning. Maintaining the interior of your machine will keep it running well and prevent it from overworking to do general tasks.
You can clean your unit’s air vents with an old toothbrush or another small scrapper. Ensure you remove any excess dust and hair that might have become lodged inside, so the mechanical works don’t become jammed.
Always keep the bin lid shut when there is ice inside. Despite popular belief, having the lid open encourages the ice to break down and start to melt after just a few minutes. And, whenever you leave it open, you encourage this melting.