Everyone knows that clear ice is perfect for any beverage.
There are three reasons why this is true: (1) clear ice doesn’t have as much oxygen as white ice, so it doesn’t fizz when you’re pouring in a carbonated drink, (2) clear ice melts slower than other types of ice, and (3) clear ice allows you to enjoy the flavor of your beverage without any extras.
Related: The top portable ice makers with reviews and a buyers guide.
Investing in an ice maker that produces clear ice is a great investment, and depending on how much ice you’re going to need each day – a portable ice maker is a great choice for you.
Notice the difference below between normal bullet ice (most portable ice makers) and the NewAir Clearice40 clear ice cubes.
Is a portable ice maker worth it? Read my article here to learn more.
Looking for nugget ice? You can learn more about the best nugget ice makers here.
Before we jump into reviewing the NewAir ClearIce40, I want to give you some more information about different ice makers that produce clear ice that you should consider. These ice makers range in size and ice capacity, and you can read about our top ice makers that produce clear ice here.
Related: Opal Nugget Ice Maker Review
One of the best clear ice makers on the market is the Clearice40.
The NewAir Clearice40 is the best portable ice maker on the market that produces clear ice. It’s quiet, fast and produces 40 pounds of clear ice every day. The stainless steel design, simple operation and high-quality parts make this portable ice maker a great value.
Let’s dive deeper into what makes this clear ice maker one of the best.
About NewAir
NewAir began in a small garage over 15 years ago, focusing their attention on portable air conditioners and evaporative coolers. Today, NewAir produces products that sit in almost every room of your home. Their focus throughout the years has been quality – this has been their foundation on creating a trusted brand in compact appliances.
If you don’t have time to read this entire article but still want to see if the NewAir Clearice40 is right for you, then watch the video I created below.
NewAir has built its company on the following pillars:
- Integrity
- Responsibility
- Customer Service
- High-Standards
- Quality
- Work and Life
- Teamwork
- Innovation
These pillars have guided the company into a leader in home appliances, especially portable ice makers.
This is the foundation on which the NewAir ClearIce40 has been built.
What makes the NewAir Clearice40 special? Let’s review its features next.
Features of the NewAir ClearIce40
This ice maker produces restaurant-quality crystal clear ice in only 7 mins – this is very impressive. This means that you get 40 pounds of ice every 24 hours.
The NewAir ClearIce40 functions like all the other portable ice makers on the market today, at least in the way it recycles water.
You add water into its large water reservoir (you add the water at the top of the ice maker), plug in the unit, turn it on, and start the ice cycle. You do not need any water line or drain line for this ice maker; you also don’t need to be near a sink to use it.
The thick insulated interior walls keep the ice frozen longer, the controls are at the top of the ice maker, and it’s easy to operate. The top cover also gives you visible indicators such as add water, full ice, power indicator, and power on/off button.
It’s important to understand that this ice maker is not a freezer! The ice will begin to melt and drip into the water reservoir at the bottom of the unit. If you are looking for an ice maker that keeps your ice frozen, then check out the ice makers in this article here.
The Design of the NewAir ClearIce40
The stainless steel design is sure to turn some heads. It’s made with BPA-free parts, which means you can enjoy your ice without worry.
The ice maker is easy to operate, and with its two-button operation, you’ll be making clear-clean ice in no time.
This ice maker isn’t large or heavy, weighing only 23 pounds. The dimensions for this ice maker are 4.50″ Depth, (15.25″ w/drain plug) x 11.40″ width x 13.75″ height. It can easily fit on your countertop or table, and it can be moved around as needed.
The only thing that is lacking with this ice maker is you will not find a view window at the top. View windows are useful for seeing how much ice you have available without opening the lid and letting the cold air out, or the warm air in.
This ice maker also uses 2.6 amps and 120 volts to operate. It means you can efficiently run this unit in an RV or tent trailer. Use this ice maker to produce fresh, clean ice while you’re camping or for your beverages while you sit beside the pool.
The ClearIce40 ice maker comes with a storage basket and an ice scoop.
As far as the design is concerned, this ice maker functions well.
I love the fact that the door has a lock when you open it all the way. You don’t have to worry about it crashing down on top of your hands.
I just lifted the lid and it stayed nicely in place while I filled my glass with ice.
I mentioned that the water recycling process was the same with the Clearice40 as the other portable ice makers on the market, which is true. What is different is how this ice maker produces ice.
It runs water over metal trays, and freezes layers of water into cubes.
This is how commercial ice makers produce clear ice, and the Clearice40 is just a mini version of a commercial clear ice maker.
The problem with this method is the ice comes out as one big sheet.
No worries though, you can easily break apart the sheet of ice with your ice scoop.
Price
When shopping for an ice maker – price is something that can be a deciding factor.
*Check out portable ice makers that are under $100 here.
Portable ice makers will cost between $150-$550 in price-determining on the features and the type of ice it produces. The Opal Nugget Ice Maker and the NewAir Countertop Nugget Ice Maker will cost you about $550. The reason is that these ice maker produces incredible, soft chewable nugget ice that falls apart in your mouth.
If you have ever been to a Sonic Drive-Thru or a Chick-fil-A, you know what nugget ice is all about.
NewAir Countertop Clear Ice Maker
Specialty portable ice makers cost more money; that’s just a simple fact. This is why I’m excited to tell you that this ice maker, though it makes clear ice, isn’t priced high.
For $250 (use my coupon to get a better price), you can be making restaurant-quality clear ice at home. The price-point on this ice maker is fantastic!
Setting Up the Ice Maker
When you receive the ice maker, it’s easy to set up and start making ice.
First, remove all the exterior and interior packaging. You want to check to make sure that all the parts are with the ice maker (ice scoop and storage basket).
Next, clean inside the ice maker using a damp, soft cloth, and some lukewarm water before making ice.
You will need to find a place for your ice maker to be placed. This ice maker weighs 23 pounds, so it’s not a heavy unit. You could use this ice maker on the go, camping, or if you choose, your RV or camping trailer.
Don’t place the ice maker in direct sunlight or around a heat source; this could damage it and melt the ice faster. The NewAir ClearIce40 will need a level surface and about 6 inches between the back of the ice maker and any object.
Also, allow one hour for the refrigerator fluid to settle before you plug it in.
Next, you want to fill the unit with water by removing the cover at the top of the unit. You do not want to fill the water reservoir under the storage basket like most of the other portable ice makers. The ClearIce40 is a little different than those; you want to remove the cover at the very top of the ice maker and then add your water.
You can now plug in your power supply and then turn on the ice maker using the on/off button on the control panel. After you plug in the ice maker, the green power indicator will flash for about 3 secs and then turn off, once you hit the power button the green light will stay on.
When the green power light is on, the ice maker will begin the ice cycle.
Cleaning the NewAir ClearIce40
Cleaning the NewAirIce40 isn’t difficult at all.
To begin, you need to remove the ice basket and start cleaning the unit’s interior with diluted detergent, lukewarm water, and a soft cloth.
Learn more about cleaning a portable ice maker here.
Clean all the inside parts of the ice maker, wiping it down with a soft cloth. Next, you want to drain the water out of the water reservoir by removing the drain cap on the back. Once the drain cap is removed, you can rinse your ice maker using freshwater.
The outside of the ice maker should also be cleaned with a mild detergent and warm water regularly.
Once you complete the interior and the exterior, you can dry both the interior and exterior using a soft rag.
Conclusion
The NewAir ClearIce40 is an excellent choice for your home or business. If you are looking for clear ice and don’t want to pay commercial ice maker prices, this ice maker will meet your needs.
It’s a light unit that is easy to transport. It makes delicious clear ice cubes, and it’s easy to operate and maintain.
The 40 pounds of ice each day is perfect for any family function or event, and the clear ice is ideal for specialty drinks or for just lounging beside the pool.
Better Home + Living gives the NewAir ClearIce40 two thumbs up and recommends it as the perfect ice maker to produce clear ice.
NewAir Countertop Clear Ice Maker
We added links below with the best prices online.
If you have any questions or want to add some wisdom about the Clearice40, use the comment section below and leave your question or comment.
