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For your large family, gatherings in your home, or commercial spaces, the best under-counter ice makers can fulfill the needs of ice in bulk quantity.
As the name suggests, these units are designed to be built in between cabinets with front ventilation. For that reason, under counter ice makers are known as built-in ice makers that are installed by professional plumbers.
When it comes to water supply, they need a permanent water line, however, some may need a drain line as well.
As compared to a portable model, under-counter ice makers serve the purpose of storing a large capacity of ice for a longer period.
Even though these units come in higher price tags, they provide you comfort by supplying steady ice for many years to come.
The design of under counter ice maker is remarkable that fits between the cabinets and adds value to your kitchen.
Top 3 Best Under Counter Ice Makers in 2023
Here are the top 3 best ice makers for under counter.
- EdgeStar IB250SS Built-In Ice Maker – Best Under Counter Ice Maker (Overall)
- EdgeStar IB120SS Built-in Ice Maker – Best Budget Under Counter Ice Maker
- KUPPET Commercial Under-counter Ice Maker – Best Commercial Under Counter Ice Maker
Why Use An Under Counter Ice Makers?
When you need ice in bulk quantity for an extended period, you cannot rely on portable ice makers.
Under-counter ice makers are ideal for a quick supply of ice and big storage.
These units are permanently designed for homes, offices, restaurants, bars, and coffee shop usage.
It is the right equipment for you when you need a lot of ice, and have the required space in your home, office, or restaurant.
Permanent Installation
Under-counter ice makers are installed once just like any other large kitchen appliance.
Permanent installation takes the stress out of the hectic process of maintaining portable ice makers.
These are installed under the counter and designed for quick and bulk quantities of ice.
Large Production Capacity
When you have a large family or business, a steady flow of ice matters the most.
For that reason, the ice maker should have a large production capacity to meet both home and commercial needs.
This is why you need to use an under counter ice maker.
Automated Units
Under-counter ice makers are energy efficient due to the automated system.
You do not need to worry about a shortage of ice or ice running out for water.
Most of the units operate automatically and only stops when the ice bin reaches the maximum limit.
Top 3 Best Under-Counter Ice Maker Reviews in 2023
Here are the 3 best ice makers for under-counter that worth your money.
1. EdgeStar IB250SS Built-In Ice Maker Review – Best Under Counter Ice Maker (Overall)
It is a 15 inch under counter ice maker which is ideal for your home bar and kitchen. EdgeStar IB250SS produces a crescent type of ice cubes that can last longer as compared to any other ice cubes.
With ice making capacity of 25 LBS of ice cubes in a day, it can provide you a steady supply of ice in no time.
This under counter ice maker unit ensures that ice does not melt with its quality built-in freezer. When you’re gathered in your home with family members or friends, it has a large storage capacity of 20 LBS to fulfill your needs all day.
EdgeStar IB250SS is very easy to use and makes sure that you have connected the power supply with the button switched to ICE.
It has automatic operation mode to start making the ice cubes and dropping them in the ice bin.
Pros:
- Noiseless and quiet operation
- A steady supply of ice cubes
- Large storage of 20 LBS
- Easy installation process
Cons:
- Highly expensive
Why you should buy the EdgeStar IB250SS Built-In Ice Maker:
- Capacity: It has a great ice making capacity of 25 LBS and an ice storage capacity of 20 LBS per day. With such capacity, it ensures staying for long durations.
- Versatile: It is much versatile with an easy installation process as no drain is required. With its compact design, it can work anywhere.
2. EdgeStar IB120SS Built-in Ice Maker Review – Best Budget Under Counter Ice Maker
It is considered as one of the most versatile and best under counter ice makers so far.
If you have a tight budget but want to fulfill your ice needs daily, EdgeStar IB120SS is the right choice for you.
It is a quality ice maker yet comes in an affordable price tag. It can be installed anywhere with minimum installation work.
This unit of EdgeStar has dimensions 22.25 x 15 x 18.5 inches that make it fit under most of the counters.
The best thing is that it doesn’t need a drain at all. You can use it in your kitchen, bar or even in the office. With its refrigerated ice compartment, ice will never melt.
When it comes to the production of ice, it produces 12 LBS of crescent ice in a day and makes your beverages icy cold all the time.
It can store enough ice for any occasion by offering up to 6 pounds of ice storage capacity.
It comes in a black variant with stainless steel that makes it look stylish in your home, office, or restaurant.
Being affordable yet the highest-quality of under counter ice maker makes it a perfect choice for your needs.
Pros:
- Comes in affordable price tags
- It features auto shut off when the ice bin is full
- No drain is required
- It gets doubled as a freezer
Cons:
- Must be cleared by hand when fail to eject the ice
Why you should buy EdgeStar IB120SS Built-in Ice Maker:
- Compact Design: By providing reversible door options, it lets you open it from either side based on your needs.
- Energy-efficient: It has an auto shut-off feature that turns it off automatically when the ice bin is full.
3. KUPPET Commercial Under-counter Ice Maker Review – Best Commercial Under Counter Ice Maker
It is one of the best under counter ice makers for commercial uses and ideal for commercial purposes.
This under-counter ice maker is designed for long-duration for domestic and professional settings as well.
It has a stainless steel design yet fully functional that makes your kitchen or bar look stylish. The stainless steel is made up of high-quality that looks premium, and it offers high resistance against rust and corrosion.
Whether you run a café or restaurant that serves beverages, KUPPET under-counter ice maker can deliver you freshly cooked ice for 24 hours.
It has a production capacity of 100 pounds of ice in a day that keeps your family entertained all day.
When it comes to ice melting, it has a thick layer of insulation that resists the ice from melting for up to 4-5 hours even when this is turned off.
Moreover, it usually takes 11-15 minutes for one cycle of fresh ice.
Pros:
- Great and stylish design
- Fast cooling with a powerful compressor
- Operation Panel lets you adjust the timer and other features
- Less than 40db noise
Cons:
- It lacks an internal filter
Why you should buy the KUPPET Stainless Steel Commercial Under-counter Ice Maker:
- It has an advanced LED control panel for increased functionality such as time scheduling, fault status, temperature control, auto clean, and ice thickness adjustment.
- It has a built-in security feature that ensures overflow protection, and it gets automatically turned off where there is no water.
How to Choose the Best Under Counter Ice Maker (Buying Guide)
Here are what you need to look at when buying the best under counter ice maker.
Type of Ice
Based on what type of ice you want to produce with the help of under counter ice maker, make sure to buy it accordingly.
Under-counter ice makers can produce nugget ice (often known as Sonic ice), crescent ice, cube ice, or many other types of ice.
Before making up your mind on under counter ice maker, make sure that it produces a specific type of ice that you’re looking for.
Based on your preferences, purchase one that perfectly matches your budget and daily needs.
Production Rate
Production rate is a vital element of the best under counter ice makers. It ensures that you get a unit that can meet your daily needs by producing a bulk quantity of ice.
Keep in mind that when your ice maker produces ice at a slow rate, you need to purchase ice from a nearby store to meet your needs in times of gatherings and home party.
It means that such units have no benefit for you and they defeat the whole purpose of buying under counter ice maker.
Make sure to check the production rate of the ice maker before buying it. It is based on the quantity of the ice that under counter ice maker can produce within 24 hours.
Capacity
The storage capacity is an important feature of under counter ice maker. The freezer storage space comes as a part of the unit, and its capacity shows how much ice it can hold at a time.
Keep in mind that production rate and capacity matter the most but you can prefer one over others based on your needs.
For instance, if your large family or business runs out of ice quickly, you need to prefer the production rate rather than storage capacity.
But, if you’re looking for under counter ice maker for occasional parties of gatherings, storage capacity is somehow more important that should store enough ice on such important events.
Additional Features
Water Filter
Most of the best under counter ice makers come up with water filters to ensure filtering tap water. It helps in removing contaminants and sediments from the water before changing into ice.
Make sure your ice maker has a water filter that can maintain the quality of ice and make it healthier to consume. It improves the overall taste and smell of ice for your comfort.
The units that do not come up with water filters can easily be integrated with external water filters.
ADA Compliance
For commercial purposes, make sure to look for such ice makers that are compliant with the American with Disabilities Act design guidelines.
Warranty
It is another additional important feature that you need to look for before buying under counter ice maker.
The warranty ensures that the unit you’re going to purchase is authentic and highly durable. A warranty is something that should always be considered no matter what the situation is.
Placement
Placement of under counter ice maker needs your great attention. It requires a space where it can fit perfectly between the cabinets of your kitchen.
Before you start looking for under counter ice makers, choose a place in your kitchen where you want it to be installed.
Measure the size carefully and buy ice maker accordingly that can fit in the space available.
Under Counter vs Countertop Ice Makers
Capacity
Under-counter ice makers are permanent devices that fit under your kitchen’s counter. It provides a larger production rate and a big space for ice storage.
On the other hand, countertop or portable ice makers can produce less quantity of ice per day.
Ease of maintenance
Under-counter units require less maintenance as these units are installed once by professional plumbers.
Countertop ice makers need regular maintenance and water needs to be refilled daily by hand.
Ease of movement
Under-counter ice makers are fixed and cannot be moved once installed.
Countertop ice makers can easily move around and can be carried anywhere while you’re on vacation.
Summary of the Best Under Counter Ice Makers
Below is the summary and comparison table of the top 3 best under counter ice makers in year 2023.
| Model | Daily Capacity | Storage | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EdgeStar IB250SS | 25 pounds | 20 pounds | Overall | Show |
| EdgeStar IB120SS | 12 pounds | 6 pounds | Budget | Show |
| KUPPET Commercial | 550 pounds | 350 pounds | Commercial | Show |
FAQ
1. Does the water recycle in EdgeStar IB120SS?
No, the water doesn’t recycle in this unit. The drain is not required because it will keep the ice frozen.
2. Does the under counter ice maker require a professional plumber to install it?
Yes, someone professional should install the units as these need to be fixed between your kitchen’s cabinets.
3. Is there a stainless steel bin to collect the ice?
Unfortunately, it has a plastic bin to catch the ice.
Conclusion
The best under-counter ice makers are highly preferable if you have a large family or you run a large business that requires a bulk quantity of ice in no time.
Make sure to consider placement, production and storage capacity, additional features, and type of ice before looking for your options.
Under-counter ice makers are better than countertop ice makers in terms of production and storage capacity and ease of maintenance.
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