Portable ice maker, recommendations.

[rgmiller32]

Sam's Club had one in stainless steel for $99.00

[reubenray]

The reason I have started checking into an ice machine is I need more room in my freezer. So I was thinking of removing the ice maker and tray from it. From what I understand I will still need a location to keep the ice in the freezer. This will be only for our (2 of us) personal use and not parties.

pasdad1 - I don't have room for a portable freezer.

rgmiller32 - This is one that I am thinking about getting.

[reubenray]

I am rethinking my comment about not having enough room for a portable freezer. I may actually have a spot for it. I need to figure out if the outlet at that location will be hot when I am on the inverter.

[pasdad1]

Originally Posted by reubenray

I am rethinking my comment about not having enough room for a portable freezer. I may actually have a spot for it. I need to figure out if the outlet at that location will be hot when I am on the inverter.

The type I posted above will automatically switch between 12 volts and 110 volts using whichever is available. That makes it more convenient to find a power option which works. Also the temperature control can be set to refrigerate or freeze, whatever you need.

There are smaller ones available, but usually this one fits into a basement storage compartment without problems.

[Bad Bolt]

I have the Edgestar and LOVE it!!

Sits right under the convection oven. Never again without ice!! or running the store!!!!!

[reubenray]

Will the ice stay frozen in the ice makers? It will defeat the reason of removing my frig ice maker to get more space if I still have to keep the ice in there.

[Bad Bolt]

Yes. If you need more than the capacity of the tray, transfer it to your freezer, top off the tank of the ice maker and repeat.

Nice thing I like is that whey you turn off the unit, the ice melts and you can restart the process the next day.

[Clay L]

Originally Posted by reubenray

Will the ice stay frozen in the ice makers? It will defeat the reason of removing my frig ice maker to get more space if I still have to keep the ice in there.

No the bin is not refrigerated. As the ice melts the water drips back into the tank.
The good news is that if you start it at 2 o'clock the bin will be full by 4 o'clock when happy hour starts. If you are a little conservative with useage it will keep up with four people.

[dezolen]

Originally Posted by Clay L

No the bin is not refrigerated. As the ice melts the water drips back into the tank.
The good news is that if you start it at 2 o'clock the bin will be full by 4 o'clock when happy hour starts. If you are a little conservative with useage it will keep up with four people.

Not sure why you say it melts in the bin? Mine continually makes batches till it is full then stops producing till you use some. Sure it will slowly melt over time. Have absolutely no need for fridge icemaker as you lose 1/2 your freezer capacity.

[Flanagan]

Got mine at Home Depot last Christmas. It was branded Magic Chef. Cost $99. Works great. We fill a quart Ziplock with cubes and put them in the freezer for cocktails when we want them. We make ice about once a week.

[pasdad1]

Originally Posted by dezolen

Not sure why you say it melts in the bin? Mine continually makes batches till it is full then stops producing till you use some. Sure it will slowly melt over time. Have absolutely no need for fridge icemaker as you lose 1/2 your freezer capacity.

The OP wants to replace the ice maker that is installed in the freezer with the countertop portable. Not sure it would stand up to 24x7 constant use in this fashion. Since the ice bucket is not electrically frozen, the ice is in a constant state of melt.....and the machine has to keep remaking it over and over again.

[pasdad1]

Originally Posted by reubenray

I am rethinking my comment about not having enough room for a portable freezer. I may actually have a spot for it. I need to figure out if the outlet at that location will be hot when I am on the inverter.

Hi reubenray,

If you are still interested in the portable freezer, here is a thread which discusses the best one to buy....

http://www.irv2.com/forums/showthread.php?t=211431


Please keep us updated about your decision.....if you go with the ice maker - how well does it work? If you go with the basement freezer.... Which one would you choose?

[Skip426]

Originally Posted by reubenray

Will the ice stay frozen in the ice makers? It will defeat the reason of removing my frig ice maker to get more space if I still have to keep the ice in there.

A Zip-lock bag of ice is easier to find a spot for, than the freezer space required for the built in ice-maker.
JMHO: Then there's the issue of water content/quality of the park water, not every parks water is what I consider drinkable even though it is technically safe. If I won't drink the water why would I make ice cubes out of it.

[reubenray]

I ended up getting a Magic Chef ice maker at Home Depot. There was one sitting by itself on sale for $98.