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There are so many different ice makers that sometimes it’s hard to keep them all straight. So many different features, sizes and uses.
In this article, we’re going to discuss the storage of ice in portable ice makers and determine which ice maker may be right for you.
Do Portable Ice Makers Keep Ice Frozen?
Portable ice makers are not designed to keep ice frozen for an extended period. The ice cycle process creates the ice and when it melts, recycles the water to make more ice.
Portable ice makers have insulated ice compartments. They are designed to slow down the melting process, but not entirely stop the melting process.
Portable Ice Makers are excellent for portability, price and size, but for keeping your ice frozen that’s a whole different thing.
Most commercial ice makers are not designed to keep ice frozen as well. These large, bulky units normally have a drain line installed to drain away the melting ice water.
What is the answer if you’re looking for an ice maker that keeps the ice frozen? Let’s investigate to see what we can find.
Do Ice Makers With Freezers Exist?
Let’s start by answering this question. Do they even exist? The answer is they do.
Though these ice makers are not as popular as the other units that I listed above, they do exist and we’re going to look at your best options in this post.
These are units that either have a built in freezer compartment, a large storage bin that is refrigerated or some other system that keeps your ice frozen so you don’t need any drain lines.
Let’s get right into it.
1. SMETA Ice Maker with a Built-in Freezer
This ice maker would be a great unit for your home or business. It can be used as an undercounter unit (front vented), or could be placed anywhere in your home as a free-standing ice maker.
| Ice Production | 12 lbs a day |
| Weight | Weighs 50 lbs |
| Dimensions | 15.2 x 17.7 x 25.1 inches |
| Ice Cycle | 40 Minutes |
| Ice Capacity | 6 lbs |
| Type of Ice | Cresent Shaped |
| Type of Ice Maker | Undercounter |
| Where Can I Buy It? | Get the Best Price |
This ice maker produces 12 lbs of ice every day, and can store about 6 lbs of ice at one time. This isn’t the largest capacity for an ice maker, especially a undercounter ice maker, but it would supply enough ice for a normal-sized family.
You don’t need to install a drain line with this great ice maker because it doubles as a freezer keeping your ice frozen the entire time.
The ice maker is created with premium stainless steel, and has a clean, elegant design. Another great feature that I love about the design of this ice maker is that the door is reversible. This means that no matter where this ice maker is placed, you can have the door opening the correct way.
The SMETA undercounter ice maker is also designed to be high-efficiency.
A great undercounter ice maker for any home, lunchroom or business. This stainless steel ice maker is designed to keep your ice frozen, so that it can be enjoyed all day long.
2. EdgeStar IB120SS
This ice maker is also another great choice for your kitchen if you’re looking for an ice maker with a built-in freezer. It’s front-venting so you can enclose it in your cabinetry or you can use it as a free-standing ice maker and place it anywhere in your home.
| Ice Production | 12 lbs a day |
| Weight | Weighs 54 lbs |
| Dimensions | 25 1/4″ H x 15″ W x 18 1/2″ |
| Ice Cycle | 20-40 Minutes |
| Ice Capacity | 6 lbs |
| Type of Ice | Cresent-Shaped |
| Type of Ice Maker | Undercounter |
| Where Can I Buy It? | Get The Best Price |
The EdgeStar IB120SS can produce 12 pounds of ice each day, and can store about 6 pounds of ice at one time.
This ice maker isn’t hard to operate, and needs minimal installation to operate. I say that this ice maker would fit perfectly in someone’s wet bar, Kitchen design, or even their RV. With the compact design of this ice maker it’s going to fit under most counters. Yet, just to be sure you better be good and measure before you purchase.
It comes with a plastic ice bin, a waterline and so you’re getting everything that you need to start making ice.
I liked using this ice maker. The only thing that I didn’t like is defrosting the unit when it all filled up. It wasn’t the worst thing in the world, but it still took some time form my day. I thought setup was seamless and the operation of the unit is a piece of cake.
Overall, it’s a good ice maker.
3. EdgeStar IB250SS
This ice maker is the same as the one I listed above but has a larger capacity. This ice maker has an ice production of 25 pounds of ice each day and can store 20 pounds of ice at one time.
This unit comes in beautiful stainless steel or you could choose to purchase it in white or black.
I really like the look of this ice maker. Like the EdgeStar IB120SS, its clean design and high-quality stainless steel will look great in your home.
| Ice Production | 25 lbs a day |
| Weight | Weighs 64 lbs |
| Dimensions | 14.9″ W x 20.06″ D x 33.31″ |
| Ice Cycle | N/A |
| Ice Capacity | 20 lbs |
| Type of Ice | Cresent-Shaped |
| Type of Ice Maker | Undercounter |
| Where Can I Buy It? | Get The Best Price |
The extra capacity of this ice maker makes it great for home or business use. Like the unit before it, you can enclose it in your kitchen cabinetry because of the front vent.
It comes with an ice scoop, a removable ice bin, and a waterline for simple installation. Even though they claim that it should be easy to install the ice maker in your home, I do suggest that you get a plumber in to help you out.
This is a solid offering by EdgeStar, and I really do appreciate the extra ice it produces.
4. Whynter MIM-14231SS
The Whynter HIM-14231SS ice maker is an ice maker built for business. This ice maker produces 23 lbs of ice each day and has a storage capacity of 12 lbs of ice.
| Ice Production | 23 lbs a day |
| Weight | Weighs 52 lbs |
| Dimensions | 16 x 14 x 24.5 inches |
| Ice Cycle | N/A |
| Ice Capacity | 12 lbs |
| Type of Ice | Cresent-Shaped |
| Type of Ice Maker | Undercounter |
| Where Can I Buy It? | Get The Best Price |
Like the other ice maker is comes with standard features: auto shut-off when the ice bucket is full, a high-efficiency CFC-free compressor, and makes wonderful crescent-shaped ice.
What sets this unit apart is its design. This unit is built compact with the purpose of being used in sailboats, yachts, and RVs.
This thing is built strong. It’s made from marine-grade components which makes it strong and robust – made for whatever comes its way.
The Whynter MIM-14231SS is easy to operate. In fact, it’s a one-button operation. Another cool thing! You don’t need to install a drain line because it’s designed to keep your ice frozen.
It comes with a scoop for the ice, an ice bucket, and a 5 foot 1/4″ food-grade water line connection.
If you’re looking for an ice maker for your marine needs, then we have a great choice for you. It’s perfect.
5. U-Line UBI95B00A Undercounter Crescent Ice Maker
U-Line has been perfecting refrigeration, ice making, and wine preservation products for five decades.
| Ice Production | 23 lbs a day |
| Weight | Weighs 66 lbs |
| Dimensions | 7 x 13.9 x 25.1 inches |
| Ice Cycle | N/A |
| Ice Capacity | 12 lbs |
| Type of Ice | Cresent-Shaped |
| Type of Ice Maker | Undercounter |
| Where Can I Buy It? | Get The Best Price |
This ice maker will produce 23 lbs of ice daily. It can store 12 lbs of ice at one time. This U-Line ice maker produces crescent ice which you can learn more about by reading my article here.
The design of this ice maker is interesting. At first, I thought that it was safe, and not an ice maker at all. It’s built to last that’s for sure and comes in two colors: black and white.
The installation for this ice maker isn’t the most difficult, but I would still suggest a professional to install it for you. At the back of the unit, locate the water connecter where the waterline will be attached. This ice maker doesn’t need a drain hose because the ice stays chilled inside the unit. The easy operation of this ice maker makes it attractive to many people. It has one button that turns it on and then you’re ready to go.
This isn’t the cheapest option for you if you’re looking for an ice maker that keeps your ice frozen, then this is a great option for you.
Conclusion
Having an ice maker that keeps ice frozen is great for three particular reasons:
- You don’t need a waterline
- You always have cold, solid ice available when you need it
- These ice makers are compact and fit easily in your kitchen, RV, boat, or yacht
There are a couple of things that I didn’t like about having an ice maker with a built-in freezer and they include:
- Most of the time, the ice production is low
- They have small storage of ice
- They have to be defrosted
Let us know your questions or comments below and have a great day!
12 Comments
Sounds awesome. Do you know of any portable ice makers with freezer that make clear ice cubes?
There is no portable ice makers that make clear ice available on the market, yet! The best solution is to purchase a great portable clear ice maker like the Luma Comfort IM200SS Machine from Amazon, purchase some freezer bags from Amazon as well, and when the portable ice maker is full just transfer the ice to the freezer. This is a simple way of enjoying great clear ice and keeping it frozen at the same time.
Yes. I have one. Newair
We are looking for a machine that will make different shape ice cubes + slush + water
Does this even exist?
There are different ice makers that produce different shape ice such as nugget ice. The Opal Nugget Ice Maker is a great unit for producing nugget ice which are small nuggets of ice produced by compressed ice shavings. Nugget ice is easy to chew and absorbs the flavour of your beverage. Most portable ice makers will produce bullet-shaped ice. If you are looking for an ice maker that also is a water dispenser then you can take a look at these units. As far as I know, there are no ice makers that produce slush. You would have to invest in an ice slushy maker.
Thanks for this article, very helpful! I definitely want an ice maker that will freeze the ice so it is not constantly running BUT I do not want a portable unit… I want one I can hook up a both a water line and a drain. Does not have to be an under counter model – can be freestanding – but is for my residential use. Do you have any brands you can recommend?
Check out the article here. These are all under-the-counter ice makers that I personally recommend. These ice makers will certainly meet your need.
Hi there,
I need a smaller countertop unit but I don’t have any additional freezer space to make it and move it to. Therefore, is there any countertop unit that you can make the ice in and is insulated enough to maintain the ice for several hours during a party? Kinda like an ice bucket? I would like a black one.
You can check out my top portable ice makers by clicking here.
I have been looking for the Smeta ice maker but cant find it. Amazon does not have it available.
They seem to come and go on Amazon.
Check out the Whynter UIM-155 Stainless Steel Built-In Ice Maker on Amazon for a comparable option.
Check out the Whynter on Amazon here.
This is a GREAT article. Who knew home ice makers had so many layers. I am frustrated by the noise level of the ice makers that DO NOT keep the ice frozen. Therefore, I think the best option is an under-counter ice maker that keeps the ice frozen to reduce the frequency of ice production. How much work is it to defrost the units in the article? And how often does it occur?