Thanks to modern technology’s innovation and creativity, we have almost everything we need to make our lives
easier and more comfortable- computers and mobile phones for communication, massive refrigerators and freezers to keep our food fresh, fully automatic washing machines let us do other chores while we do the laundry, and then we have a lot of those portable countertop kitchen appliances- foodmixers and grinders cut our kitchen task in half, juicers, toasters, and pancake makers for a healthy and filling breakfast, and a whole lot more. We have also written a complete guide about best bread makers.
Among these heaven-sent little helpers is the portable ice maker- who doesn’t like icy cold beverages? Sure, we have freezers and refrigerators that we think can also do the job, but portable ice makers do it a whole lot better. Imagine these scenarios- running out of ice in the middle of a great party you’re throwing can be awkward, you can drive to a convenience store to get those bags of ice, yes, but that means your guests would have to wait for you while sipping warm drinks. You’ve been out running and coming home parched, you found out someone forgot to refill the ice trays, then tap water it is instead of an ice-cold drink. We have also written a complete guide about best iced tea makers.
What Really is a Portable Ice Maker
Generally, there are 2 kinds of household ice makers- one is the under-counter model that produces large amounts of ice but requires complicated and expensive installation and of course, they are bigger and heavier and can take up precious space in your kitchen. The other one is the portable ice maker, also known as the CountertopIcemaker, which, as its name implies, is lighter in weight and smaller in size, they don’t have to be installed so they could just sit on your countertop while they churn ice for you. Countertop ice makers are mini appliances that are lightweight, they are compact and can sit comfortably in your countertops without taking too much space. They are usually slim and stand 15 inches or less.
How Ice makers Work
They are simple and easy enough to use. They do not require a water line or a water hook-up, you only have to pour water in its reservoir and plug it in, water is then pumped into the rotating ice tray, the unit’s compressor and fan freeze the water and turn them into ice in a matter of minutes.
Countertop ice makers usually produce cubed or cylindrical clear ice, depending on the design of the unit. And as its name implies, it is portable and really easy to lug around wherever you need the unit to be as long as it is accessible to a 110-220V outlet. If you need to use it for camping, or in an RV, you need a DC adaptor to connect the unit to your vehicle’s power source.
Maintaining the Ice Maker
Maintaining your countertop ice maker is pretty easy- occasional cleaning is needed to ensure that your ice maker runs smoothly and produces only clean ice. Some units use ice machine cleaners to add to water which you then pour to the water reservoir, turn the ice maker on until ice is made, discard the ice. Pour clean water into the reservoir and repeat the process, discarding the ice cubes.
Advantages of Having an Ice Maker Handy
Aside from its ability to produce ice in a matter of minutes, ice makers possess a lot of other advantages:
Ultra-Portable
Countertop ice makers aren’t just for the kitchen countertop, they are also ideal for on-the-go uses- they’re great for camping, RVs, boating, backyard occasions like parties, barbecues, reunions and many more. They are so easy to travel with, as long you have the power source, then you’re good to go.
User-friendly and Safe
These ice makers don’t require special skills or complicated manuals- you just fill it with water, plug it in and just wait for a few minutes. These units have easy-to-use controls. They are equipped with insulated storage bins to keep your ice solid for longer periods of time. Some units even have a drainplugto let you drain the water quickly and easily. And, you don’t have to monitor it, or look after it, when the ice softens, the unit is re-use the melted ice and turn it intonew and hard ice.
An Assortment of Clean and Tasty Ice
Depending on the unit, you can produce ice in a variety of shapes and sizes- some are cylindrical or cubed, some units can produce shot ice. Using clean and/or filtered water, your ice maker can give you superb tasting ice.
Eco-friendly
Aside from not needing water line or water hook-up, they don’t need draining lines too. Countertop ice makers recycle the water from the melted ice- you conserve precious water and time.
Sleek Design and Attractive Colors
Countertop ice makers come in a wide array of design- some are tapered, others look like mini coolers, but more attractive to look at, they come in vivid and bright colors, some are shiny, burnishedstainless-steel that would look great in any kitchen countertop.
Advantageous, Beneficial and Practical
Who benefits the most? Perfect for parties, caterings and event organizing- no ice shortagemeans guests would always have cold drinks. For our kitchen- especially largefamilies, ice trays from fridges and freezers won’t be enough, having a countertop ice maker ensures that you will always have ice available for each one, especially in the summer.
What to Look forWhen Choosing a Countertop Ice Maker
What is the perfect countertop ice maker? There isn’t one, but there is the one that is perfect for you- depending on
your needs, lifestyle, taste and budget. So before placing an online order or heading out to buy your countertop ice maker, here are some important factors to consider.
Durability
We all want something that would last us a very long time. Check the materials used, make sure the unit you choose is made of sturdy and high-quality materials, most countertop ice makers are made of high-quality stainless-steel, while others from other durable and sturdy materials.
Performance and Ice Production Capacity
Depending on the model you choose, some countertop ice makers can produce up to 26 pounds of solid ice while others can yield as much as 35 pounds of ice, both in a 24-hour time frame. Most portable ice makers make solid ice in 5-6 minutes, the time varies, some units make ice faster than others, so again, depending on the make and model you choose. You will find bulkier portable ice makers, but that doesn’t mean they have bigger ice-making capacity, check the product description, and base on your needs, choose the unit that best suits you.
Portability and Versatility
The lighter and smaller your countertop ice maker, the easier to carry it around. Some countertop ice makers can be used both indoors and outdoors, while others are specifically for indoor use only.
Self-cleaning Feature
Choose a countertop ice maker that features self-cleaning option to save you time and energy.
Energy Saving
Another outstanding feature to look for is the Energy Saving feature- your unit will shut down automatically once the ice maker is full, make sure you get the unit with this feature.
Ease of Use
Innovative portable ice makers will make your life easier- these units have digital control and LED display. They have soft push button for ice size options, self-cleaning option and for turning your unit ON or OFF.
Automatic Timer
This feature is so useful for when you are always busy or on the go. This feature will allow you to set a specific time for your unit to start making ice.
Always running out of ice and tired of refilling those ice trays over and over? The EdgeStar Portable Countertop Ice Maker can solve that problem- this portable ice maker can produce ice in 10 minutes, so you won’t have to wait hours to get ice. With this unit’s easy-to-use controls, making ice has never been this easy. This durable ice maker is easily portable- great for use on your RV, cabin or boat, and pretty much anywhere there is an outlet to plug it into.
Design and Construction/Materials and Durability
The EdgestarIP210BL Portable Countertop Ice Maker is constructed from only the finest, highest-quality materials and is ultra-durable, guaranteed to last you several years. Standing at only 14 1/2 inches, this lightweight ice maker weighs only 41.9 pounds, really easy to move from spot to another. It comes in 3 attractive colors: Black, Gray, Red and Stainless-steel/Silver.
Functionality/Performance and Capacity
The EdgeStarIP210BL countertop ice maker can produce bullet shaped ice cubes within 10 minutes and can yield 28 pounds of ice in 24 hours. Its well-insulated storage bin can easily hold 2 1/2 poundsof ice at a time. This portable ice maker is equipped with soft, touch-sensitivecontrols for turning it OFF or ON and options for choosing the ice size you want. Its intelligent water use design recycles water from melted ice and uses them to make more new ice- saving you water resources, time and energy.
Product Maintenance and Warranty
This countertop ice maker comes with a 1-year parts and 90-day labor warranty. To clean and maintain your ice maker- take out the ice basket. Clean the interior with diluted detergent, warm water and a soft cloth. The outside of the ice maker should be cleaned regularly with a mild detergent solution and warm water. Dry the interior and exterior with a soft cloth. When the machine is not in use, open the drain cap to completely drain the water reservoir.
Additional Features
It is super portable and versatile you can use it in your kitchen and is ideal touse for RVs, boatsand cabins.
ThinkGizmos, a UK company based in Horsham, Sussex, UKestablished in 2005, has been providing us with the coolest, most amazing toys and home gadgets plus 100% customer satisfaction. And for several years now, this company has been selling countertop ice makers around the globe. This durable portable ice maker is so easy to operate, and even made easier with its electronic control panel.
Design and Construction/Materials and Durability
The ThinkGizmo TG22 Portable Ice maker machine is made from the only the finest quality stainless-steel and durable ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) housing. Its curve-edged structure and gleaming finish will surely look good in any type of kitchen.
Functionality/Performance and Capacity
The TG22 portable ice maker can produce ice in 6 minutes and up to 26 pounds in a 24-hour period. Its large storage bucket can hold 2.2 pounds of ice, and you have 3 ice size selection, small, medium and large. This ice maker is so easy to use, it doesn’t require plumbing, water-hook ups and other installations. Just plug it in, pour clean water, press select the ice size you want and start making ice. The electronic control panel and LED indicators make it easier for you to use this unit- it has an easy to read ON/OFF button and light indicators that will show when the bin is full of ice and when you need to add water. It has the intelligent water feature- melted ice water pours back to the water reservoir and made into new ice.
Product maintenance and Warranty
The TG22 countertop ice maker comes with a12-month warranty and is so easy to clean- Take out the ice basket. Clean the interior with diluted detergent, warm water and a soft cloth. Then use the water to rinse the inside parts, and drain out the water by unplugging the drain cap on the side.The outside of the ice maker should be cleaned regularly with a mild detergent solution and warm water. Dry the interior and exterior with a soft cloth.
Additional Features
This portable and durable ice maker comes with a free ice scoop.
One of EdgeStar’sfront liners is theIP250SS Large Capacity Portable Countertop Stainless Steel Ice Maker, with this ultra-sleek and durable portable ice maker you will always have fresh ice handy- fast and easy. Compact and lightweight but tough, this ice maker is easily portable- perfect for RVs, camping, boating and many more.
Design and Construction/Materials and Durability
The EdgestarIP250SS countertop ice maker is constructed from high-quality materials and wrapped in commercial grade stainless-steel finish. Compact and durable, this unit will last you for many years.
Functionality/Performance and Capacity
The EdgestarIP250SS is super simple to operate, the easy to use LCD control panel and display let you turn the ice maker ON or OFF, set the timer and choose the size of the ice you want. This ice machine can make small, medium or large bullet ice cubes in 10 minutes and can yield up to 48 pounds of ice in a day. Its well-insulated storage bin is able to hold 2.6 pounds of ice. This innovative ice maker feature’s the smart water design- melted ice water is recycled into new ice in the next cycle thereby saving water resources and time. The versatile EdgeStarIP250SS is ideal for RVs, boats, camping and many more.
Product maintenance and Warranty
The IP250SS ice maker comes with 1-Year parts, 90-day labor Manufacturer’s Warranty and is extremely easy to maintain- Take out the ice basket. Add a 10:1 mixture of water to vinegar. Plug in the unit, and hold the CLEAN button for six seconds. The self-cleaning process will last about 5-6 minutes; after, the unit will automatically power off. After the clean program is complete, drain out the water/vinegar mixture by unplugging the drain cap on the side. Then close the drain cap. Unplug the unit and add fresh water into the reservoir up to the “Max” level mark, and repeat the process. Dry the interior and exterior with a soft, clean cloth. Tighten the drain cap.
Additional Features
The EdgestarIP250SS features a self-clean function that extends your ice maker’s life as it makes your life easier with its trouble-free maintenance. It also features a programmable timer that allows you to schedule when to make ice- specific time, when to start and stop making ice.
The Homelabs portable countertop ice maker is one of the most innovative ice maker machines in the market. This sleek and attractively designed unit can make ice in as fast as 6 to 8 minutes. This smooth and elegant-looking appliance is extremely portable and can travel with you to camping, boating as long as there is an outlet available.
Design and Construction/Materials and Durability
The Homelabs portable ice maker is crafted only form the finest materials and can last you for several years.
Functionality/Performance and Capacity
The Homelabs portable countertop ice maker produces bullet-shaped ice cubes in 6-8 minutes and can yield up to 26 pounds of ice in 24 hours. It features Quiet Cooling technology and has a roomy storage bin that can hold 1.5 pounds of ice. It is so easy to use- no installation and no plumbing/water line needed.
Product maintenance and Warranty
It comes with an awesome – from 30 day no questions asked money back guarantee to a 2-year(plus6months with product registration) warranty and hassle-free maintenance- remove the ice basket from the appliance. clean the interior with diluted detergent, warm water and a soft cloth. Use the water to rinse the inside parts, and drain out the water by unplugging the drain cap on the front bottom of the unit. The exterior should be cleaned regularly with a mild detergent solution and warm water. Dry the interior and exterior of the unit with a clean, soft cloth.
Additional Features
The Homelabs portable countertop ice maker has a removable ice basket, is ETL Certified and equipped with an Auto Shut Off feature- the unit automatically shuts off when the unit is full. Another perk is the free ice scoop.
One sure solution to the “running out of ice in the middle of a great party” dilemma is owning one of EdgeStar’s best portable ice
maker machines, the EdgeStar IP210TI Titanium countertop ice maker is so easy to use. It makes ice in just 10 minutes. No water line or drain line needed. Perfect for cottages, boats, RVs and a whole lot more.
Design and Construction/Materials and Durability
The EdgeStar IP210TI is a sturdy ice machine constructed from durable and high-quality materials, ultra-compact and comes in a glossy Titaniumfinish andalso available in 3 attractive colors -Black, Red, Gray
Functionality/Performance and Capacity
This compact ice maker produces perfect bullet ice cubes in 10 minutes and yields up to 28 pounds of ice in a day. Its insulated ice bin can store 2.5 pounds of ice. It is fairly easy to use, made easier by its easy touch controls that allow you to choose your ice size, turn the unit ON or OFF, and you don’t need to install water line or drain pipes.
Product maintenance and Warranty
It comes with a 1 year-parts, 90-day labor warranty and so easy to clean- take out the ice basket. Clean the interior with diluted detergent, warm water and a soft cloth. The outside of the ice maker should be cleaned regularly with a mild detergent solution and warm water. Dry the interior and exterior with a soft cloth.
Additional Features
The LED control panel shows you when the unit is full of ice and when you need to add water.
The NutrichefDigital Portable Ice Maker Machine is one of the most reliable ice maker machines in the market. This compact and portable ice maker is ideal for your kitchen countertop, RVs, boats, camping and pretty much anywhere where there’s an available outlet to plug the unit in.
Design and Construction/Materials and Durability
The NutrichefDigital countertop ice maker is constructed from high–quality engineered ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and designed to last you for years.
Functionality/Performance and Capacity
This unit has a high-powered freezing element that lets you enjoy ice cold drinks in less than 10 minutes. It is so easy to use- just add water to the reservoir and press the button. You have 2 ice size options-small ice cubes ideal for drinks and large ones perfect for restocking your coolers. This machine has an ultra-quiet operation and can make up to 33 pounds of ice a day. Sleekly designed and lightweight, it’s perfect for your countertops and designed to dispense ice with a simple press of a button.It has an easy-to-read front panel and LED digital display indicators.
Product maintenance and Warranty
This unit is backed with a lifetime warranty and can cleaned easily- always unplug the unit and remove the ice cubes. Use a diluted solution of water and vinegar to clean the inside and the outside surface of the Ice maker.
Additional Features
The NutrichefDigital countertop ice maker can be connected to a water supply line-hassle-free refilling. It is stain-resistant so you’re assured that the unit will always look clean and brand new. The unit also comes with a 4.6′ ft. power cord
The Koldfront KIM202W Portable Ice Maker is a compact and efficient ice maker machine designed to produce ice in less than 10 minutes. This sleek and lightweight unit can be placed easily almost anywhere as it won’ttake too much space. All you need is fresh, clean water and a main outlet and you’re ready to go.
Design and Construction/Materials and Durability
The Koldfront KIM202W Portable Ice Maker is crafted from only the finest and highestquality materials designed to last you for several years.
Functionality/Performance and Capacity
This ice maker machine is super easy to use- just pour water into the reservoir, select the size of the ice you want, small or large, and press the button to start making ice. It can produce up to 26 pounds of bullet-shaped ice cubes in a day and the well-insulated ice bin can hold 1.5 pounds of ice ready to serve to your guests or beverages for your family. The easy to read and operate front panel buttons let you turn the unit ON or OFF, select the ice size, show you when you need to fill the unit with water, when it is full with ice.
Product maintenance and Warranty
It comes with a limited 1-year parts and 90-day labor warranty and easy to clean and maintain- Unplug the unit before cleaning the interior and exterior. Take out the ice basket. clean the interior with a diluted cleaning solution, warm water and a soft cloth. The exterior should be cleaned regularly with a mild detergent and warm water. Dry the interior and exterior with a soft cloth.
Additional Features
The Koldfront KIM202W Portable Ice Maker uses an intelligent water design that allows melted ice water to be recycled into new ice to save you time and water resources.
Another portable countertop ice maker that’s durable and efficient in doing the job well is the Yongtong Automatic ice maker machine. This powerful unit is lightweight and not too bulky so it fits well on your countertop and is ideal too for bringing to camping, boating, for use in RVs and many more, as long as there is an available outlet for you to plug your unit in.
Design and Construction/Materials and Durability
The Yongtong IM-15S is constructed from high-quality stainless steel and has a sleek design that is both classy and streamlined. The unit’s top has a see-through window that allows you to monitor theicemaking process and check the ice level.
Functionality/Performance and Capacity
The Yongtong Automatic ice maker machine is so easy to operate, just plug it in, pour clean water on the reservoir, press Select button for ice size options- small, medium and large, and press the button to start making ice. It can make a batch of ice in 8-10 minutes and can yield up to 33 pounds of bullet-shaped ice cubes per day. This unit doesn’t require plumbing or water hook-ups or drain pipes. The easy to read front panel control buttons let you turn the unit ON/OFF and select ice size, it even has a timer button that lets you program when the unit will start making ice. An indicator will let you know when the unit is full so you can remove ice so it can make more ice.
Product maintenance and Warranty
For warranty, the user manual can be consulted as well as the cleaning and maintenance instructions.
Additional Features
This unit is designed with a modern compressor refrigeration technology that lets the unit make ice really fast.
The Della portable countertop ice maker is one of the few that is designed to run quietly. This compact ice maker makes ice really fast- in 6 minutes! It is ideal for use in camping, RVs, boating and many more. This ice machine is simple and easy to use, all you need is clean water and an outlet to plug it into.
Design and Construction/Materials and Durability
This portable unit iscrafted from only the finest and most durable materials to ensure that it keeps working for you for years.
Functionality/Performance and Capacity
The Della countertop ice maker produces fresh ice in 6 minutes and can yield up to 26 pounds of ice a day. Its well-insulated storage bin can hold 1.5 pounds of ice. It has easy to use front panel controls and a see-through top that allows you to monitor the progress. A light indicator alerts you when the unit’s reservoir is running low on water. No installation or water hook-ups are needed, just pour clean water on the reservoir, plug the unit in, and press the button to start making ice.
Product maintenance and Warranty
This unit comes with a 1-year limited warranty. For cleaning and maintenance, refer to the manual that comes with the unit.
The Koldfront KIM450BL is one of Koldfront’s super-efficient and durable countertop ice makers. It is compact and portable and produces ice in under 10 minutes. It’s perfect for both indoors and outdoors use- for RVs, camping, boating, picnic and more.
Design and Construction/Materials and Durability
Constructed from top of the line materials, the Koldfront KIM450BL will continue making ice for you for many years.
Functionality/Performance and Capacity
This unit makes ice in under 10 minutes and can yield up to 26 pounds of fresh bullet-shaped ice cubes in a day. The well-insulated integrated storage bin can hold 1.5 pounds of ice at a time. Operating this machine is simple and easy- no water lines needed, just pour fresh water, select the ice size you want (small or large) and press the button to start.
Product maintenance and Warranty
It comes with a limited 1-year parts and 90-day labor warranty and easy to clean and maintain- Unplug the unit before cleaning the interior and exterior. Take out the ice basket. clean the interior with a diluted cleaning solution, warm water and a soft cloth. The exterior should be cleaned regularly with a mild detergent and warm water. Dry the interior and exterior with a soft cloth
Additional Features
It features the intelligent water design- melted ice water is recycled into new ice to save water resources and time. The easy to read control panel has buttons that let you turn the unit ON/OFF and select ice size.
ice but requires complicated and expensive installation and of course, they are bigger and heavier and can take up precious space in your kitchen. The other one is the portable ice maker, also known as the CountertopIcemaker, which, as its name implies, is lighter in weight and smaller in size, they don’t have to be installed so they could just sit on your countertop while they churn ice for you. Countertop ice makers are mini appliances that are lightweight, they are compact and can sit comfortably in your countertops without taking too much space. They are usually slim and stand 15 inches or less.
that problem- this portable ice maker can produce ice in 10 minutes, so you won’t have to wait hours to get ice. With this unit’s easy-to-use controls, making ice has never been this easy. This durable ice maker is easily portable- great for use on your RV, cabin or boat, and pretty much anywhere there is an outlet to plug it into.
amazing toys and home gadgets plus 100% customer satisfaction. And for several years now, this company has been selling countertop ice makers around the globe. This durable portable ice maker is so easy to operate, and even made easier with its electronic control panel.
durable portable ice maker you will always have fresh ice handy- fast and easy. Compact and lightweight but tough, this ice maker is easily portable- perfect for RVs, camping, boating and many more.
attractively designed unit can make ice in as fast as 6 to 8 minutes. This smooth and elegant-looking appliance is extremely portable and can travel with you to camping, boating as long as there is an outlet available.
portable ice maker is ideal for your kitchen countertop, RVs, boats, camping and pretty much anywhere where there’s an available outlet to plug the unit in.
minutes. This sleek and lightweight unit can be placed easily almost anywhere as it won’ttake too much space. All you need is fresh, clean water and a main outlet and you’re ready to go.
This powerful unit is lightweight and not too bulky so it fits well on your countertop and is ideal too for bringing to camping, boating, for use in RVs and many more, as long as there is an available outlet for you to plug your unit in.
in 6 minutes! It is ideal for use in camping, RVs, boating and many more. This ice machine is simple and easy to use, all you need is clean water and an outlet to plug it into.
produces ice in under 10 minutes. It’s perfect for both indoors and outdoors use- for RVs, camping, boating, picnic and more.
