Finding The Best Undercounter Ice Maker In 2023 (2024)

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BUYER’S GUIDE: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE BEST UNDERCOUNTER ICE MAKER

Now when you know the best undercounter ice machines available on the market, it’s time to learn the answers on related questions, get some useful tips and understand how to choose the right model for your household or office. This section will provide you with all the much-needed information. Read on!

How Do Ice Maker Work?

A machine pumps water from a collection sump and pours it slowly over the tray.

The water gradually freezes in layers and makes clear ice. If an undercounter clear ice maker freezes the water immediately, it’ll make cloudy frozen pieces. After the frozen liquid is clear in layers, the machine turns a solenoid valve on, which changes the direction of the refrigerant. At this time, the bypass tube is being filled with gas; the hot gas gets back into the evaporator and the tray with ice heats up quickly. That’s how a newly made frozen pieces get loosen. The best countertop ice maker works almost the same way too.

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What Size Ice Machine Do I Need?

It depends on your needs. For home use and small family, icemaker undercounter with low capacity will be alright, e.g. Smad Under Counter Commercial Portable Ice Maker from our list. However, you should choose a bigger size for a restaurant, company break-rooms, etc. You might like Manitowoc UDF0140A NEO 26 Air Cooled Undercounter Dice Cube as a commercial undercounter ice maker with high capacity.

Undercounter Vs. Portable

Both machines, of course, have their pros and cons. Let’s find out them so that you can make an educated guess on which unit caters to your needs better.

The best portable ice maker is suitable for light use, e.g. 2-3 people in a family.

Its benefits:

• Lightweight, portable and compact design
• It doesn’t require a drain or water line

Drawback:

• Low capacity
• You’ll have to add water all the time

Undercounter ice maker is suitable for those who need a lot of frozen pieces and have enough space to keep such a big machine in the kitchen.

Pros:

• Produce a lot of frozen pieces
• High capacity
• It’ is automated

Cons:

• Takes much space
• It’s difficult to move such equipment
• Need a water line and/or drain

There is no ideal machine, whatever appliance you choose – an ice maker, the best blender for ice, etc. – you have to choose the unit suitable for you!

How To Choose The Best Undercounter Ice Maker

You should know the following criteria in order to choose the most suitable machine for you.

Size

As it was said above, the size of your machine depends on your needs. If you are choosing a big unit for your kitchen, measure out space where you plan to install the unit. Make sure that it’ll fit there seamlessly. If you don’t have enough room for an in-built item but want high-productive equipment, maybe you would like to consider outdoor ice maker undercounter.

Daily Ice Production

It’s a key point to ensure you get the machine that will meet your needs. If your equipment doesn’t produce enough amount of frozen pieces, you’ll end up with buying additional supplements or do without ice. And your machine will become almost useless. Read manufacturers specs, where they point out the capacity and production rate. Furthermore, you have to provide optimal environment for your equipment: it must be installed properly, well-ventilated, and the temperature around the unit should be around 70F (for some models it can be higher). If you don’t keep these rules, the production rate may decline.

Storage Bin

When you are buying a unit, consider the capacity and characteristics of the storage bin. It’s great if it prevents frozen pieces from melting. For this purpose, you should opt for an undercounter freezer with ice maker, e.g. Edge Star Built-in Ice Maker 25 Lbs.

Ice Type

Do you want your machine to produce frozen pieces in a certain shape? Why not? Just choose a proper type of equipment: an undercounter nugget ice machine, undercounter crushed ice maker, undercounter ice maker drawer which produces cube ice or crescent one. It’s up to your taste!

Energy Efficiency

Making ice requires much water and electricity, and if you care for the environment and your bills, then you should opt for the machine rated by Energy Star. However, certified units most likely will be commercial ones. Nevertheless, check the information from manufacturers, some trusted companies make Energy Star under cabinet ice makers for home use.

Also, avoid buying a machine with a high production level if you don’t really need plenty of frozen pieces, there is no sense. You’ll pay for more expensive equipment, plus you’ll get huge bills.

Drainage

There are 3 types of ice makers in terms of drainage:

• units that don’t require drainage
• gravity drain units
• undercounter ice maker with drain pump

Most undercounter machines need a drain line. However, there are several manufacturers which produce so-called “drainless” units. EdgeStar IB120SS is one of such models. It stores the ice frozen, so there is no need to drain water. If a machine doesn’t keep the pieces frozen, it melts and must drain.

Cooling System

The cooling system exhausts heat produced by the machine while making ice. There are 3 types of such a system:

• Air-cooled – cheaper, more energy-efficient system; work well in a clean environment and the temperature must not be too high.
• Water-cooled – such a system is used in areas where it’s difficult to control the temperature; it consumes much water.
• Remote-condenser air-cooled – is a complicated, rarely used system, which involves putting condenser on the roof.

Price

A good machine costs between $250-$5,000, the price range is really wide. It will depend on the quality, size, production rate, capacity, brand, etc. However, if you want to buy the best ice maker for home bar, you won’t need to rob a bank, really. The machines on our list are reasonable-priced, which makes them even more appealing for customers.

Other Features

• ADA (American With Disabilities Act Design Guidelines) compliance – you need it if you are going to install a machine in an office, or other public places.
• Water filter – some units come with installed water filters. Your drinks will be healthier and tastier.
• Warranty – if manufacturers offer a long-lasting warranty, it means they stand behind their products and promises. Whatever you buy, always check this option, it’ll tell you a lot!

Best Undercounter Ice Maker Types

Built-in

Built-in units are designed to fit seamlessly under your kitchen countertop. They won’t take too much space, and, mainly, are easy to install. Such equipment has front exhaust fans for better versatility.

Undercounter

Undercounter ice makers can be freestanding ones and/or built-in. This type gives you more flexibility. If there is such a need, you can even put it outdoors, you just have to create a suitable environment for your machine.

VERDICT AND OUR RECOMMENDATION FOR 2023

Undercounter ice makers do a great job! We make tasty, refreshing drinks with their help. Can you imagine a party or a hot day without such drinks? We can’t! That’s why we love this equipment! Undercounter ice machines are convenient – they make plenty of ice and fit perfectly into a kitchen. So, which is the #1 machine today?

We, at mykitchenadvisor.com, consider EdgeStar Built-in Ice Maker the best undercounter ice maker 2023. It is one of the most multifunctional and user-friendly machines on our list. As it’s a freestanding ice maker, you can place it wherever you want. This unit doesn’t need a drain, comes with a scoop, has a reversible door and other great features. Our team likes this best ice maker for its versatility, good quality, and reasonable price.

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