Countertop ice maker recommendations?

[chalet05]

I am thinking of getting the kids an ice maker for Christmas. Practically every one has a review or two that they are junk yet others are thrilled.

[JudyJB]

I got one last Christmas from my son, but I seldom use it.

One of the problems is that I cannot leave it on my counter all the time. Another problem is that you first have to fill up a container that fits into the ice maker with water. It makes ice by chilling and then dipping some molds into that container of water. Ice freezes around the molds and when it is frozen, they get spit out into a space in the ice maker. Another batch gets dumped out every maybe 4-6 minutes. When this happens, they are still dripping with water and barely frozen, so you have to remove them every few minutes and put them in another container and put them into your freezer. Then you have to hit the bag to break them up because they stick together.

You cannot just leave them in the ice maker like the ones in hotels because they would melt again, as the only thing really freezing cold are the little molds. Also, mine makes two sizes of ice, but even the biggest cubes are tiny and hollow. They are maybe the size of a cherry??

I had thought you could make ice and just leave the ice maker to run on its own, but if you did that with mine, you would end up with a mess because the newly made ice would melt back into the water container. So, you have to put it on your counter or a picnic table. This might work for a party where people could help themselves, but I think a bag of ice in a cooler would be a lot less work.

Also, some of the photos on Amazon make it look like the whole thing is full of ice, but it is only a small tray on the top. Check out the videos. Mine cost about $140, which I thought was expensive for something you had to keep emptying into your freezer to keep the ice frozen.

[Bethers]

It's too bad some previous members never come on the forum anymore. Lori had an ice maker she and Ernie loved. They kept it set up everywhere they went. I don't remember the name of model but I know a couple other people bought based on her recommendations. I'm going to do a search on here and see if I can find anything.

[Bethers]

Here's a link to one of the old ice maker threads.
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1418&hilit=Ice+maker&start=15

[chalet05]

Thanks for the input! I’d like to have one in the apartment, but not sold on the idea. A lot of good reviews on Amazon along with a few bad ones that are making me rethink. For some reason the kids and I are breaking our ice cube trays!

[retiredhappy]

I drink so much iced tea that I used to travel with one (sorry, don't remember the brand). Was the first thing I set up outside when I arrived. When I bought my mobile home and it was delivered, I was absolutely thrilled that the frig had an icemaker. Was a happy camper. Simple pleasures.

[Shirlv]

The fridge in my apartment has an ice maker. Makes more than I use so I turn it off. I do not have a lot of counter space.

[chalet05]

I'm hoping for a fridge with an ice maker in the apartment. Kids just need theirs fixed so may go that route. Unfortunately, he isn't very handy and I have trouble convincing him that I am capable of somethings as is my daughter!

Thanks for the input!

[Irmi]

we have used the counter top ice makers for probably at least 20 years and I like them, rather than go out and buy the bags of ice. we bought one the last one from Camping world while we were on the cross country trip last summer. It had a 2 year warranty and quit after 13 months. we took it back to Camping world in Ocala and they gave us a gift card for the price we paid in Flagstaff Az. A new one is on order but we haven't heard from them yet as to whether or not it has come in. Fortunately we had a spare ice maker with us, which is smaller than the last one we had, but it's working fine. Judy is right that you need to put the ice in Ziploc bags to keep frozen, we keep our ice machine on a Tv tray between the 2 front seats of the coach to keep the kitchen counter useable. .

[chalet05]

Thanks, Irmi! Do you always buy the same brand?

[Irmi]

Anita, most of our machines were made by Dometic, but for some reason, Camping world doesn't have them anymore. I can't remember the make of the new one on order since we haven't received it yet.

[chalet05]

Thanks, Irmi.

[dpf]

We've had two. The first one was an Emerson and it lasted 4-5 years and during those years it had some pretty heavy use. Now we have a Magic Chef. I liked the Emerson better.

[Birdie]

I bought a Frigidaire countertop ice maker last Sept. I really like it. There are two sizes of cubes. They do have a hole, but I consider that more space to cool my drink.

I take the ice cubes and place them in a small 8x8 pan single layer and place them in the freezer for about 15 mins and then place them in my ice tray holder. They don’t stick together that way. I specifically got my new refrigerator without an ice maker because they take up so much room. Love my ice maker.

[chalet05]

Thank you, Ladies!