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Introduction To Buying The Best Countertop Ice Maker
Table of Contents
If you’re looking for the perfect countertop ice maker for your RV or home, then you have come to the right place! Countertop ice makers are a popular choice for many people because they can be easily used in any kitchen. Countertop ice makers make it easy to produce large quantities of portable ice at home and use them when needed. In this article, we will discuss why buying an ice maker is important as well as what features you should look out for before making your purchase decision.
Do You Need a Countertop Ice Maker? Portable Ice Maker
Countertop ice makers are ideal for anyone who wants to enjoy a nice cold beverage whenever they please. Countertop ice machines have grown in popularity over the years because of their convenience and affordability. In addition, having one available in your RV will save you time, money, and energy. No more store runs to purchase bags of ice for personal use or to fill your cooler.
To learn more about RV cooking and kitchen appliances, check out this article!
What Features Should You Consider Prior to Purchasing Your Countertop Ice Maker?
Capacity
How much ice does a countertop ice maker produce? Countertop ice makers are available in various sizes and capacities. If you’re planning to use the machine on a daily basis, then it will be best for you to look at models that can produce up to 50 pounds of ice per day. These appliances typically have an automatic shutoff feature as well.
Duration
Do not forget about the duration when purchasing a portable ice maker. How Long does each batch of ice take to complete? These machines are available with automatic features that will freeze your water and turn the machine off when it is completed. They also come with timers, which means you can schedule them to make more ice during peak hours of use in order for everyone to enjoy their beverages easily without having to wait long periods of time. You can choose the best ice maker for you and have your ice in minutes.
Type/ Size of Ice Cubes or Nugget Ice
Different ice makers make different sizes of ice and types (cubes and nuggets). What you choose will depend greatly on personal preference. Ice cubes can be made in round and square cubes. Countertop ice makers come with different types of settings to produce the type you prefer (crushed, solid, nugget ice).
What is Your Budget?
This is an important question when purchasing any new appliance or product. Ice makers vary greatly in price depending on what features they have available as well as the brand. They can be purchased for $100 to upwards of $500 depending on the features you choose.
Size of machine
We all know that countertop space is a huge commodity when living or traveling in an RV. How much space your ice maker uses is something that you will need to evaluate and consider before purchasing.
Countertop ice makers are available in various sizes and shapes. These appliances come with different capacities as well, so make sure you look carefully before making your final decision on which to buy.
Where Can You Buy Your Countertop Ice Machine?
Ice makers can be purchased online or at brick-and-mortar stores such as Walmart, Target, and Best Buy. These small appliances are available in a variety of colors as well, so you can easily match your ice maker to the décor of your kitchen or RV.
Self Cleaning
Does the ice maker come with a self-cleaning option? Is it difficult to clean the machine? These are things that you will want to look at when making your choice. Ice makers with self-cleaning features are typically easier to use. These appliances can be kept looking like new by simply pressing a button or two as needed.
How Do Countertop Ice Makers Work?
Countertop ice makers have a reservoir where you can add water. The machine will produce the ice while it’s turned on as well as shut off when complete. Countertop machines work by using electricity to freeze the water into cubes or nuggets of different sizes, which are then dropped into a bin.
Best Countertop Ice Makers
Most Budget-Friendly Choice:
Avalon Bay AB-ICE26 Countertop Ice Maker
This appliance is affordable and easy to use. This ice maker only takes up a small amount of space in your kitchen or RV, but it can produce 26 pounds of ice per day. Other features include an LED display that shows you how much time remains until the machine turns off as well as a push-button control. It can make both nuggets and cubes of different sizes as well, depending on your needs.
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Largest Capacity:
EdgeStar Countertop Ice Maker with Built-In Freezer in Stainless Steel
This is a larger-capacity ice maker and has an attached freezer that can hold up to 20 pounds of extra ice at all times. It measures 12 by 12 inches, which means it will fit easily into your RV or kitchen without taking up too much space. It also comes with a removable basket, which makes it easier to clean the ice maker after use.
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Best Countertop Ice Maker for RV Owners:
NewAir AI-100R Portable Countertop Ice Maker With Hose and Rubber Feet – Red/Black
This appliance is perfect if you are an RVer or plan on taking your ice maker with you on a vacation somewhere. The NewAir AI-100R is also great if you plan to use it in your RV during the summer months for cooling drinks. It includes an easy install kit and can be used right out of the box, which means no installation is required when using this ice maker!
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Best For Making Cubes:
Igloo Countertop Ice Maker – Silver/Black
This ice maker is great if you prefer to make cubes instead of nuggets. It has a built-in drain and comes with an LED display, so it’s easy to use as well. The machine only takes up about 15 x 12 inches of space on your countertops as well.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Best Countertop Ice Maker with a Built-In Freezer:
Della Portable Counter Top Ice Maker Machine – Stainless Steel Finish
This ice maker serves multiple purposes. Not only does it make and dispense ice, but it also has a built-in freezer that can hold up to 20 pounds of extra ice at all times as well. It is affordable and works quickly to produce ice for your needs. In addition, it has a see-through window that allows you to easily view the amount of ice remaining in the freezer as well.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Best For Making Nuggets:
Oster Countertop Ice Maker Machine – White
This ice maker is easy to transport, making it perfect for picnics and other events. It has a cord-wrap feature that allows you to easily store the appliance after use as well. This ice maker only takes up about 14 x 13 inches of counter space in your kitchen or RV as well. It can make both nuggets and cubed ice.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Best Quiet Machine:
NewAir Countertop Ice Maker Machine – Portable, with Built-in Freezer
This countertop ice maker is the quietest one on the market. It produces 26 pounds of ice per day and has a built-in freezer that can hold up to 20 pounds of extra ice as well. In addition, it only takes about 14 x 12 inches of counter space in your kitchen or RV.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Best Small Ice Maker:
Magic Chef Countertop Ice Maker Machine
This ice maker is incredibly small, which means it doesn’t take up a lot of counter space in your kitchen or RV. It has an LED display that shows you how much time remains until the machine shuts off as well as a push-button control for easy operation. The manufacturer offers a one-year limited warranty as well.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Best Overall:
NewAir Countertop Ice Maker Machine – Portable, with Built-in Freezer
This ice maker is the best overall because it has so many features. It can produce 26 pounds of nugget or cube ice per day and only takes up about 15 x 15 inches of counter space in your kitchen or RV. The machine also comes with an LED display that shows how much time remains before the machine shuts off and a push-button control for easy operation. In addition, it has an attached freezer with up to 20 pounds of extra ice storage space right on board as well.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
How To Maintain Your Ice Maker
Countertop ice makers can be hard to clean depending on what they are made of. These appliances that have self-cleaning options typically require less maintenance than those without. Countertop ice makers should generally be cleaned with a soft cloth and soapy water as well as rinsed off thoroughly after use. These appliances need to stay free from residue in order to function properly. They should not be left outside in the elements for long periods of time as this can affect performance and damage them over time.
Can I Leave It On At All Times?
Generally, yes. Countertop ice makers are designed to run whenever they are connected to a power supply and there is water available in their reservoir. However, if you have concerns about leaving your machine on at all times or want it to be more energy-efficient then this may not be the right choice for you. Appliances that are plugged in but not being used are still using electricity.
For an article on the best eco-friendly camping/ RV items, read this!!
Can They Be Used Outdoors?
Some countertop ice makers can be used outdoors while others cannot. Countertop ice makers that have self-cleaning options typically work better when they are not exposed to the elements outside for long periods of time, but other types may work just fine if you prefer them over their built-in counterparts. Ice makers that are used outside need to be protected from direct sunlight and high temperatures in order to stay safe for use year-round.
Conclusion To Purchasing a Countertop Ice Maker
Countertop ice makers are a great way to have fresh, clean ice on hand at any time of day. These handy appliances will save you time and money in comparison to purchasing tons of bags of ice. They come in many shapes and sizes so that you can pick one out that will fit your countertop perfectly but not take up too much space. This is an overall win-win situation for RVers!!
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