Do you find yourself regularly running out of ice when you have guests over? maybe you need undercounter ice makers for home! Stocking up on extra bagged ice is a pain, and those bags will quickly fill up the freezer space you have. Having to supplement the amount of ice your freezer makes is inconvenient and it gets expensive. If it’s a problem you face with any frequency at all, buying a separate ice machine is worth it.
Undercounter ice machines, sometimes called built-in ice machines , are designed to fit seamlessly into your kitchen without taking up any floor space. These are installed directly into your cabinetry, just like a dishwasher or cooking range.
Families that go through ice at a quick pace can buy these machines for their home and integrate them right into their kitchen. Offices, churches, and anywhere else where lots of people are likely to gather and need ice, can also benefit from a built-in ice maker. If the demand for ice is ongoing, such as in a restaurant or hotel, you may be better off with a commercial ice machine that is designed for high-capacity production.
If a built-in ice maker sounds like a good fit for you and your lifestyle, there are a few things you should know before buying one. The below guide will help give you a better idea of the best brands out there, as well as some of the main factors you should consider while browsing your options. Looking for the best undercounter ice cream maker, we have a list you can check.
Factors to Consider When Buying an Undercounter Ice Maker for Home
To make sure you end up with the best undercounter ice makers for home that will meet all of your needs, we would strongly recommend that you consider each of these main factors.
Placement
The main reason to pick an undercounter ice maker rather than a portable model is to be able to put it in a spot where it fits nicely within the space. That means, before you get to the point of browsing your options, you should have a place in mind for where you want to install the device. Knowing exactly where it will go allows you to ensure you purchase an ice machine that’s the right size for the space available and that you get the right type.
Type of Ice
Do you have a favorite type of ice? You can find built-in ice machines that make nugget ice (what many people refer to as Sonic ice), cube ice, crescent ice or one of a few other types . For some people, as long as it’s cold and keeps your drinks chilled, any ice will do.
For those with a particular preference, look for a ice maker that produces the type of ice you like most.
Production Rate
The output rate of an undercounter ice maker is crucial in determining which model will best suit your needs. If your ice maker produces ice at a slower rate than you consume it, you’ll have to supplement with store-bought bags of ice or go without ice, which contradicts the purpose of purchasing an additional ice maker for your home or business.
Built-in ice machine manufacturers should offer production rate specifications for each model they sell. The rate will be determined by the amount of ice the unit can create in a 24-hour period. The output rate they provide is contingent on your ice maker being kept in what they consider to be the ideal environment, which usually means that it is correctly mounted, ventilated, and the temperature around it is kept at roughly 70°F. If your ice maker is going to be placed somewhere hotter than that, expect the production rate to drop.
Capacity
Undercounter ice makers include freezer storage as a standard feature. You must also consider how much ice the machine can keep at any given time, in addition to the production rate.
If your family or coworkers will go through the ice quickly on a regular basis, a higher production rate is more important than storage capacity. If you’re looking for an undercounter ice machine to supplement the amount of ice you have on hand for occasional large parties or events, a large capacity will be critical.
If the ice maker you buy doesn’t come with a lot of storage capacity, but you have extra storage space somewhere that you can use to keep the ice bags the machine creates, that may work as a partial solution, but it still requires more work. A built-in ice machine that keeps as much as you’re likely to need at any given time will make you happier.
Size
The tough part about obtaining the proper capacity is that the amount of ice an undercounter ice maker can retain is proportional to its size. If you just have a small amount of space to deal with, finding a machine that can hold a lot of ice at once while still fitting in the allotted space can be difficult.
Make sure to measure the area where you wish to install your built-in ice maker so you can choose one that will not only blend in with the rest of your kitchen, but will also be simple to install.
Cost
Undercounter ice makers typically range in price from $250 to $5,000. Most ice makers at the top of that price range have a high production rate and a large storage capacity, whereas those at the bottom have a lower production rate and a smaller storage capacity.
While size and capacity are two of the most important aspects that determine the overall price, some built-in ice makers will cost more because they have a good brand name or come with added features like a water filter or the ability to generate nugget ice.
You should think about the various charges that come with an ice maker in addition to the sticker price. Many undercounter ice makers can also be used as freestanding models if desired, however if you intend to put them under a counter, you may have to pay a bit more for labor or parts, or both, during the installation process. Making ice will also necessitate a greater amount of energy and water. While it won’t save you as much money as a dishwasher or washing machine, using a built-in ice maker in your home or office will have a significant impact on your monthly utility bills
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