Portable ice makers are great gourmet items to show-off at your next get-together or party.  Such units will also save you time, money, and effort.  Say goodbye to frantic runs to the store for ice in the middle of a party or wasting money on overpriced store ice – a portable ice maker gives you an endless supply of ice within minutes. 

Although most modern refrigerators have built-in ice makers, they are often slow and may not have the ability to produce larger amounts of ice at once.  As such, one of the most beneficial features of a portable ice cube machine is that it produces ice quickly. Once plugged in, simply pour in water, set your desired ice cube size, and the ice-making cycle will immediately begin.  In most cases, there is no installation required.   While these appliances are not designed to store large quantities of ice for prolonged periods of time, they can still produce ice rapidly and are a welcome addition to any home, office, boat, or RV. 

Portable ice makers come in a range of styles and sizes, so when choosing a unit, pay attention to these details:

Ice Making Capabilities:  As opposed to refrigerator ice makers which can take up to 30 minutes to make a small batch of ice, portable ice makers take only minutes – anywhere from 7 to15.  Pay attention to how quickly each ice making cycle takes, as well as how much ice can be produced in a day. 

Ease of Use:  Most portable ice makers such as the NewAir AI-100BK or AI-100R are extremely simple to operate.  In most cases, bottled or tap water is usually poured directly into the water reservoir. Some larger or commercial units may even be able to accommodate a direct water line. 

Ice Cube Size:  Look for a portable ice maker with more than one ice cube size and/or shape.  A quality unit will usually allow you to choose from three cube sizes – large, medium, or small.  Some models may be able to produce different shapes of ice such as cubed or crushed. 

Durability:  Look for a portable ice maker that is sturdy.  Stainless steel or heavy-duty plastic are both good choices in terms of housing materials. 

Appearance and Design:  Select a portable ice maker that goes best with your décor and other home appliances.  Many commercial units can be quite large, so choosing the right size is also important.  If you have limited kitchen storage space, you’ll want to look for a compact countertop model. 

Easy to Clean:  Being able to rinse out and wipe your ice maker down when it’s no longer in use makes life easier.  However, some ice makers also come with “self-cleaning” functions and/or side mounted drains.  This will allow you to easily empty out any unused water from the tank. 

Recommended Models:  Our product team recently came across two new portable units from NewAir – the AI-100BK and AI-100R.  These ultra-modern units have the ability to make up to 35 pounds of ice per day in three different sizes.  Available in either black or red, these eye-catching, counter-top units are not only efficient, but they also look great sitting in your kitchen.  Best of all, the NewAir AI-100BK and AI-100R do not require direct plumbing.  Just fill the reservoir with water and ice is made in as little as 15 minutes!