The ice makers tucked inside your standard refrigerator are fine for filling a few drinking glasses, but they rarely keep up with the demands of dinner parties or a loaded cooler. Adding a dedicated ice maker to your kitchen or home bar is an excellent way to make sure you always have plenty of ice on hand for refreshing drinks shared with friends and family, or to fill a cooler for the day ahead.
With so many different sizes, styles, features, and cube shapes to pick from, choosing the right ice maker can feel overwhelming. This guide walks you through what to look for and how to fit the appliance into your home's design.
Ice Maker Styles
Ice makers arrive in a wide variety of styles, ranging from compact, portable builds to full undercounter units that enhance the function of a busy kitchen or home bar. Understanding how each style differs, and the advantages of each, will help you decide which one best suits your household or business.
Undercounter Ice Makers
If your goal is to integrate an ice maker seamlessly into the design of your indoor or outdoor kitchen, an undercounter unit is the way to go. This style is built to slide into the space of a lower kitchen cabinet, giving it the feel of a built-in appliance. These ice makers typically draw air through vents at the front, much like a refrigerator, which keeps air circulating and the unit running cool.
Portable Ice Makers
When flexibility is the priority, there's no better match than a portable ice maker. These compact designs are easy to move between stored spots and can be set up on a porch, patio, kitchen counter, or carried out to the venue of your next event. When picking a portable model, pay attention to the finish, size, and production capacity so it can handle the day's demand.
Freestanding Ice Makers
You'll never run out of ice when you equip your kitchen, outdoor kitchen, or garage with a freestanding ice maker. These larger units offer a high output of ice in a minimal footprint, so you'll always have plenty of ice when you need it. They come fully finished and ready to plug in. Typically, freestanding ice makers need drainage, so professional installation may be a must if you are adding a unit for the first time. Their tough, utilitarian design makes them perfect for a garage or the back room of a commercial property.
Modular Ice Makers
When you run a commercial space such as a restaurant or bar, modular ice makers are one of the most flexible options available. They come in a wide range of sizes and are built to stack with other ice makers or appliances in your kitchen or bar. Their design is typically industrial and utilitarian, making them strong enough to keep up with heavy daily demand. When selecting a modular model, pay careful attention to the other appliances the design needs to sit alongside.
Featured Pick: Avallon 15" Built-In & Freestanding Ice Maker
A 15-inch wide unit with 26 lbs. storage capacity and 56 lbs. of daily ice production — ideal for undercounter installation or freestanding placement.
Shop Avallon Ice MakerCube Type
With at least 6 different cube styles on the market, it's easy to enjoy the ice shape you love most in your drinks. Every ice maker produces a single cube shape, so reviewing the available forms will help you identify the one that will become your favorite. The greater the surface area of the cube, the longer it will take to melt.
If you're chilling a drink, larger cubes will last longer and help keep your beverage from getting watered down. If you prefer chewing on ice, smaller cubes are softer and easier to eat. Consider how you're most likely to use the ice and then choose a maker that delivers a shape to match that preference.
Crescents
Crescent ice cubes have a half-moon shape with one flat edge and one curved edge. The design offers ample room around the cubes, stopping them from compacting together. That makes them a strong choice for drinks because the liquid flows through easily, while the cubes are still substantial enough to melt at a slow pace.
Full Cubes
The full cube is one of the most familiar ice shapes available. Their bigger size makes them slow to melt, making them ideal for beverages. This versatile shape also works well in coolers because it melts slowly.
Half Cubes
These rectangular cubes are roughly half the size of full cubes. Their smaller footprint makes them a great choice inside a cooler because they stack tightly and pack more easily around cans and containers.
Nuggets
Nuggets are among the smallest ice shapes offered. These tiny cubes aren't uniform in shape. Their compact size lets them chill quickly and makes them a favorite for anyone who enjoys chewing on ice. Nugget ice is also handy in coolers, especially when you're packing freshly-caught fish, because they easily mold around the items in the cooler.
Bullets
Bullet-shaped ice cubes are rounded cylinders with a hollow indentation running down the center. The unique form makes them exceptionally attractive in beverages, giving drinks a popular option for ice makers. The indentation also lets the liquid flow inside, creating a rustic, visually interesting look in drinks that feature bullet-shaped cubes.
Gourmet
Gourmet cubes are big, tapered or top-hat shaped cubes that appear almost crystal clear thanks to the way the water is compressed while freezing. That makes them an artistic option for cooling down beverages. Their slow-to-melt nature makes them ideal for use in alcoholic drinks that you don't want to water down. The gourmet shape also lets the cubes cool liquid quickly while being harder to melt in small coolers or decorative ice buckets.
Features to Take Into Consideration
Choosing the right style of ice maker is only the first step. Next, narrow your search by looking at the features that best fit your needs. Some features to take into account include:
- SizeTake careful measurements of the space you have available for your new ice maker and pick one with dimensions that suit. Measure the height, width, and depth and compare them to the unit you're eyeing.
- ProductionThe product specs will tell you how much ice the unit produces. This will help you know how much ice is made per day. Some models also have speed-production modes for last-minute ice demand.
- CapacityThe capacity refers to the maximum amount of ice the unit can store at one time. The capacity of the unit will differ from the production capability. To reach full production, the internal storage area may need to be emptied throughout the day.
- FinishIf the ice maker will be stored in a visible spot, the finish will play a big role in the look of your space. In a kitchen or home bar, consider a finish that best fits the rest of your appliances. Black and white ice makers easily blend into cabinetry, while stainless steel models match modern kitchens or a style piece in your space.
- DoorSome ice makers have doors that are reversible, letting you decide which side the door should hinge from. If you're installing your ice maker into a modular alcove, make sure to consider which way the door swings for accommodating the space.
- DrainageSome ice makers need a drain with proper drainage while others, such as portable models, don't need a drain. If you pick a unit that needs drainage, you may also need professional installation or preparation of the area.
- FiltrationSome ice makers offer integrated filters that reduce contaminants from the ice as it's frozen, which is a great feature for ice used in drinks.
- EfficiencyRunning your ice maker all day takes energy. Choosing an ENERGY STAR-rated ice maker to keep operating costs and the carbon footprint of your home as low as possible.
- AccessoriesMany ice makers come with accessories, including removable bins that make it easy to transfer ice and ice scoops.
- Weather ResistanceIf you plan to install the ice maker on a deck or patio, check the specs to confirm it is CSA-certified for outdoor use. This certifies the finish and build of the ice maker will hold up to heat, humidity, and exposure to the weather.
- WarrantyTypically, the bigger and more heavy-duty the unit, the longer the warranty that comes with the machine. Take a moment to compare warranties before narrowing it down to the last few models to help you pick with peace of mind.
Enjoying the Convenience of Your New Ice Maker
If you're an avid outdoorsman, having an ice maker at home means you will always have the ice you need to load up the cooler and head out for a day on the water, at the beach, or in the mountains. Adding a portable ice maker to your RV or boat means you'll always have the ice you need for extended camping trips, tailgates, or fishing trips.
Ready to Add Ice Production to Your Home?
The Avallon 15" ice maker delivers 56 lbs. of daily ice with a 26 lbs. storage bin — built for both under-counter installation and freestanding setups.
Shop Avallon Ice Maker