Comparing Stand-Alone Ice Makers
Looking for change or dollar bills so you can go to the icehouse and grab those giant bags of ice just to race home, hoping they don’t melt? Do you find yourself running to the store last minute because someone forgot ice for the big birthday party? You should do yourself a favor and look into a stand-alone ice maker. They can make life so much easier for you.
It can be easy to take the ice for granted. Many homes have refrigerators that offer a supply of Listcrescent-shaped cubes with the push of a button. But when your fridge fails, or you don’t have an appliance that features this, running out of ice can be a huge inconvenience, especially during hot summer days or events.
Benefits of Stand-Alone Ice Makers
- Portable: A stand-alone ice maker is also a handy appliance for RV trips, tailgating at a football game or beach. You can take it anywhere where you might want to stay cool. Below you can find the best stand-alone ice makers for homes of all sizes to help keep you and your beverages or food as chill as possible.
- Makes ice fast: Instead of relying on a slow freezer, a stand-alone ice maker can keep you well supplied with fresh ice for every need, from chilling drinks, filling a large cooler, or even supplying a restaurant with ice for all drinks.
- Variation in sizing: These models come in an array of sizes to fit most any kitchen.
- Variety of ice cubes: No matter your ice preference, there is a machine that will make that cube!
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What are Stand Alone Ice Makers?
If you have friends or family members that seem to have an endless supply of ice at parties, they may have a stand-alone ice maker. This is one of the most popular options for in-home ice machines.
Freestanding ice makers can also be built-in under the counter. These ice makers are especially ideal for renters as they require little to no setup and can be easily removed at any time. Keep reading along if you want to learn more about freestanding ice makers.
How Do They Work?
According to Popular Mechanics, stand-alone ice makers turn out ice cubes on a regular schedule. They use water “from a built-in reservoir or from a connected water line. Reservoir ice makers will need to be refilled with water when they run out, but they don’t require any plumbing lines”, which makes setup very easy.
This feature also helps your ice have a clean taste and is free of unpleasant aftertastes. To prevent mineral deposit build-up, most ice makers require filtered water. When the ice is made, it’s dropped into a bucket where you can access your fresh ice in the shape of your choice.
When your ice bucket is complete, your machine will stop making ice to prevent it from overflowing. Most devices will keep your ice cool, but sometimes there is melting as the ice sits for a while. Some high-end stand-alone ice makers can recycle the melted water. Other machines will need to have the excess water drained from the device.
Types of Stand-Alone Ice Makers
If you need mass ice production for a birthday party, restaurant, or you are a cocktail connoisseur, you have quite a few options to choose from. With stand-alone ice makers, you can find the perfect one for your needs.
It would help to consider how often you would use your ice maker.
- How quickly can it produce the ice as you may not want to deal with excessive water?
- How much ice can it hold at once before making a purchase?
Here are some of the top choices.
Ice-O-Matic Nugget Ice Machine
This stand-alone ice maker can produce a total of 25 lbs. of storage capacity and 85 lbs. daily in production. Making one of the most popular kinds of ice in the comfort of your own home has never been easier. Ice-O-Matic ice machine uses Pure Ice technology to make the same clean, chewable pearl (nugget) ice you have come to know and crave.
This stand-alone ice maker operates very quietly while storing 2 pounds of ice and allowing you to place it anywhere without being disturbed by ice crashing into the bucket. Because this ice maker is approved for outdoor use, you can put it in your outdoor kitchen or by the pool on the patio.
With its convenient size of 12 inches in height, 14 inches in depth, and 9 inches in width, this could be the perfect accessory for your home.
Scotsman Gourmet Under Counter Ice Maker
Enjoy a seemingly unlimited supply of the best-shaped, odorless ice thanks to the Scotsman Energy Star Stand-alone ice maker. This energy-efficient ice maker can produce up to 64 lbs. of ice in a 24-hour period, with 26 pounds of storage. You’ll have enough ice to supply family dinners, birthday parties, and more.
Designed with a durable stainless-steel exterior and water-quality sensor, this adds a modern feel that will not only enhance your space’s appeal but guarantee a safe and consumable product. Additionally, the water-quality sensor can detect and eliminate mineral-dense water with every harvest cycle, reducing the number of cleanings. The built-in pump and 10-inch drain tube expel water fast and effectively, making user maintenance a breeze.
The reversible door won’t affect your installation decisions wherever you need it. The easy-to-use control panel indicates when this unit is on and will alert you when the water is low. This unit is UL approved for outdoor use with a 15-inch width.
Scotsman ice makers boast crystal-clear, mineral-free, odorless, and slow-melting ice cubes for your convenience.
This ice maker is perfect for tight spaces while still giving you a large capacity for ice. Scotsman Gourmet is on the cutting edge of innovation and carries the EPA Energy Star qualification.
The ice machine is designed for quiet operation, but some noise can be heard during the ice-making cycle. During a freezing cycle, it is normal to hear the fan and the water pump circulating water. Ice falling into the bin may also be heard when it is being made.
Included is an internal drain pump intended for use in applications where a floor drain is unavailable. This ice maker does not include water supply lines; they must be purchased separately.
Danby Daily Ice Production
2 lb. Storage capacity and 25 lbs. daily production provide the perfect amount of ice for entertaining; a see-through lid helps you see the amount of ice without disturbing the ice-making process. This small stand-alone ice maker features electronic controls with small LED indicators that make it simple and easy to use.
One helpful thing with this machine is that if the lid is not fully closed, an alarm will sound to notify you, so total production is not lost. Another great feature is a convenient self-clean function that reduces maintenance and prolongs the life of your product. This comes with one-year parts and labor manufacturer warranty. And to top it off, this compact stand-alone ice maker measures 14″ deep and 12″ high, with a small width of 9 inches.
Follett Stand Alone Commercial Ice Maker
This 27″ wide stand-alone commercial ice maker also features a water dispenser for extra convenience. The Follett stand-alone is the perfect way to keep your business well stocked with ice, so no matter how busy the bar or restaurant gets, you can always guarantee ice-cold.
This stand-alone can create 425 lbs. of ice over a 24-hour period and store 90 lbs. of it in an easy-access storage bin for convenient dispensing. Pull the lever, and you can dispense cold water or high-quality chewable ice.
Nugget ice is more practical than standard ice cubes and flakes because they don’t stick together and can last for long periods, even in warm drinks. This unit is made of complete stainless-steel construction designed to keep stains and grime from developing and help the unit serve your business for years.
Follett stand-alone uses eco-friendly type refrigerant and antimicrobial technology that ensures the unit stays clean and produces top-quality ice with every use.
Ready to Make Your Appointment with Atlanta Appliance?
Now that you have learned about a few stand-alone ice makers available for easy setup in your home or business, you can reach out to Atlanta Appliance Services to help you with the installation. They will ensure top-quality care, so you can have peace of mind that everything is set up just right for you to start using your endless supply of clean, delicious ice.