Many people think buying an ice machine isn’t a big deal. However, you have to pay attention to some details, because if you don’t, you’ll end up buying a unit that doesn’t fulfill your expectations and criteria. We have made a list of the most important things you need to look for before deciding which model to buy. This list should alleviate your search, and offer you a better insight into the important factors of every undercounter ice machine.
Placement
One of the major differences between portable and undercounter ice machines is the fact that you can put it in a spot where it fits perfectly instead of holding it on your kitchen counter. However, before you buy a model that you’re interested in, you should make sure it fits in your kitchen. The way you should do it is pretty simple. All you have to do is measure the dimensions of free space available and compare the numbers with the dimensions of the unit.
On the other hand, if you’re planning to keep your undercounter ice maker outside, make sure to choose the model which is specifically designed for outdoor use. The outdoor models are usually much more durable than the indoor ones because they need to be able to withstand rough weather conditions, sudden changes of temperature, and so on.
What Type of Ice do you Prefer?
A vast majority of people don’t think about the type of ice they want. For many of them, ice is just – ice. However, there’s far more to it than just a cube of frozen water. If you have a favorite type, make sure to find the machine that produces that particular type. On the other hand, some models can deliver different types of ice. If you’re interested in buying one, take a look at our reviews, and you should be able to find the preferred model. To be honest, many people don’t care about the shape or type as long as it cools their drinks.
The Production Rate
This factor is the most important one for many people. The reason is pretty simple – if you purchase a unit which is infamous for slow production, you’ll have to supplement with bags of ice. As you can assume, if you compensate with bags of ice, it pretty much negates the whole purpose of an ice machine.
Therefore, make sure to check the production rate of every machine so that you can avoid the whole hassle of compensating with added ice. The manufacturers usually provide detailed specifications, but they are only accurate if you keep the machine in an optimal environment. It means that the machine has to be installed, ventilated, and maintained properly. If you can’t fulfill the conditions, expect a drop in the production rate.
The Capacity
This step is pretty self-explanatory, but it needs to be mentioned so that you can keep it in mind when buying an ice maker. If you and your family frequently go through the ice quickly, it’s a better idea to focus on the production rate instead of thinking about the capacity. On the other hand, if you’re an occasional consumer, the capacity is one of the most important parameters. As you can see, the equation is pretty simple – if you spend a lot of ice on a daily basis then you should aim for models with a high production rate whereas if you’re planning to buy a model for parties and various gatherings, look for the ones with a high capacity.
The Price
These machines usually cost somewhere in the range of $200-$5000. As you can see, it’s a pretty big gap, and there are a ton of factors that determine the price. The size, production rate, capacity, and brand are the four most important ones. If you don’t care much about the brand, you can save a significant amount of money by choosing the less popular one. However, choosing an unknown brand can have some consequences like unfavorable warranty conditions, low-quality water filters, and so on. It’s safe to say that the “You get what you pay for” saying does apply to ice makers.
