Countertop Ice Maker Review: Ice in Minutes!

Introducing the Countertop Ice Maker

Welcome, everyone! Today, I’m excited to delve into a fascinating device that’s been on my radar for quite some time—a countertop ice maker. I’ve chosen a brand name model with impressive reviews, and we’ll be exploring how it performs in today’s blog post.

Meet the Ice-Making Marvel

For a price tag of $104.76, I acquired this countertop ice maker. While there are several similar models available, I opted for this brand name gem with a stellar 4.5-star rating based on over 5000 reviews. The manufacturer claims it can produce up to 26 pounds of ice per day, starting in as little as six minutes. It cranks out nine cubes every 7 to 15 minutes, with a storage capacity of up to 1.5 pounds of ice. The water reservoir holds 2.3 quarts, ensuring continuous ice production.

Customer Feedback and Expectations

As I scoured Amazon, I found that most users are highly satisfied with this ice maker, particularly praising its ice production. However, a few concerns were raised. Some found it a tad slow, while others noted that it didn’t store a substantial amount of ice. It’s crucial to mention that this model is not refrigerated. If ice isn’t removed promptly, it will melt, returning to the reservoir to be reused.

Exploring the Features

Now, let’s examine the ice maker’s features. On the top, you’ll find a user-friendly control panel with options for adding water, ice size selection (small or large), and power. Inside, there’s the ice scoop and a basket for easy ice collection, while the water reservoir is located at the back, marked with a max fill line.

The Ice-Making Process

With everything set up, it’s time to kickstart the ice-making process. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, I ensured the drain plug was in place and plugged in the ice maker. The green light began flashing every five seconds, indicating that it was ready to go. After opening the cover, filling the reservoir with water up to the max fill line, replacing the ice basket, and closing the cover, I pressed the on/off button. A faint sound emanated from inside, signaling the commencement of ice production.

First Batch and Timings

After about eight and a half minutes, the fan shut off, hinting that the first batch was ready. I was pleasantly surprised by the result, though the initial batch is typically thinner than subsequent ones. As time progressed, the ice from the first batch began melting, highlighting the ongoing challenge of maintaining ice in the reservoir.

Comparing Large and Small Ice Cubes

I experimented with both large and small ice cubes. Interestingly, the small cubes didn’t appear significantly different from the large ones. While some minor variations were observed, it was not very noticeable.

Ice Production Rate and Volume

To gauge the ice production rate, I decided to keep track of how long it took to fill the ice basket completely. After six batches in approximately seven hours, I had accumulated around six pounds of ice. Each batch took about an hour to an hour and a half, and they were consistent in size.

Pros and Cons

In summary, this countertop ice maker offers simplicity and consistency. It generates a commendable amount of ice. However, it lacks an alert feature to signal when the ice basket is full, meaning you’ll need to check it regularly. Additionally, it’s not refrigerated, so ice must be promptly removed to prevent melting. While refrigerated models are available, they come at a higher price point.