A portable ice maker is just one of those things that you truly cannot fully appreciate until you have one. Can you just imagine the look on the faces of your guests when they see one of these intriguing appliances on the bar by the pool or in the game room? This is an appliance that few people think to buy which is surprising considering there are some budget-friendly options.
How Portable are They?
Although some things that claim to be portable are far from convenient to move, this isn’t the case with these ice makers. Basically, the only requirement you have is that it needs an 110V outlet and access to water to pour in it. Yes, this means that if you are at an RV campsite that has electrical hookups, you can have ice! They’re easy to transport too! For example, the Whynter T-1 SNO Portable Ice Maker weighs only 39 pounds. It’s small enough to fit in your trunk and efficient enough to use if you are catering a small party.
Production Speed
How fast do you need ice? If you are making drinks at a wet bar or you are hosting a large family reunion, chances are good that you could use a steady supply of ice that comes fast. Although you’ll find most portable models have a 12 minute freeze time, there are some that are even faster! The Vinotemp VT-ICEMP25 Portable Ice Maker can have ice ready for you in seven minutes. The storage bin can hold 1.8 pounds at a time and the unit can make 26 pounds per day! You certainly won’t have to worry about running out all night.
Ice Cube Size
It is funny that a simple feature like controlling ice cube size can make such a difference but it really does. While this may not be an option on all portable varieties, it certainly is in the Whynter T-2MA Portable Ice Maker Stainless Steel Series. This model lets you control whether you create small, medium or large cubes. No one enjoys having extra-large ice cubes in a slender glass but at the same time, you don’t want small cubes in large fishbowl drinks or goblets.
Ease of Cleaning
Some models feature removable water and ice drawers which makes cleaning very easy. If you are looking for one that’s low maintenance, you may also want to look for one that doesn’t need to be drained. With these models, the water created from melted ice cubes gets reused after it is filtered.
Placement
A portable ice maker can be placed nearly anywhere including your home, cottage, office, wet bar, RV and boat. Aside from needing an electrical outlet, their only requirement is a flat surface and they cannot have the vents blocked. You will find that most require six inches between the vent and any surface to allow the appliance to work properly.
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