1)      The quantity you require in any given day will determine the type of ice maker you buy.

2)       A big home ice maker can provide up to 40 pounds of ice in a day while a portable ice maker will make an average of 35 pounds of ice a day. Commercial ice makers have a larger capacity to make a lot of ice

The size of ice cubes needed will also determine the type of machine to buy. Countertop ice maker produce bullet-shaped ice cubes. While other models will produce ice cubes in 3 sizes -small, medium and large.  If you are looking for a variety of sizes of ice cubes then you might opt for a commercial ice maker which can produce many different sizes of ice like flakers, crushed, cube, octagon, and tube.

How much ice you need to store will be another factor to look at when choosing your ice maker. Portable ice maker cannot store ice for long since it is not a freezer.

Maintenance of your machine is also important. Most of these units are easy to maintain and using clean water with a little vinegar or lemon juice will remove any odors while some models have self cleaning cycles.

Checking your supplier and customer feedback is important too. Ensure that the supplier of your ice maker machine is reputable and provides good service.

Most of these commercial  ice maker machines are energy-efficient, self monitoring and easy to clean.

These can make many different sizes of ice like flakers, crushed, cube, octagon, and tube. Ice can also be made in a variety of shapes, including actual cubes, cylinders, and crescents.

One of the most popular models is Scotsman who has a wide selection of ice making machines

used by most hotels, and convenient stores.   They claim to have over a million machines sold and are one of the leaders in the market. Undercounter ice maker by Scotsman make very crystal clear ice cubes.

Other well known models include Kold-Draft, Manitowoc, EdgeStar, Franklin & Avanti, and Hoshizaki ice makers.

Most of these machines have newer models which are more advanced in their energy savings and efficiency and in reduced noise levels.

Under counter ice maker come in different sizes and they are useful in both large food service institutions and small offices. Some of these machines can come up with over 356 pound of ice production daily and are perfect for hospitals and hotels.   It is always possible to get any commercial ice maker to suite your needs.

Hoshizaki ice makers are one of the top two commercial ice maker’s manufacturers in the world. They specialize in ice machines and other refrigeration products

Portable ice maker machine is useful for parties or barbecues and you can even use it in remote location. They are also a great addition to a boat, an office or RV camper.  For camping or picnics and other outdoor activities they come in handy and practical too.

They are compact enough to be used in these constricted space and easily stored away when not in use.

Just plug them into the socket and fill it with your water and you have the ice in 20 minutes tops. It is that easy and quick. However these devices will not keep the ice frozen but will recycle the water if it melts to make new ice. If you are thinking of supplying larger quantity of ice then you might look at what the commercial ice makers have to offer.

One of the disadvantages is that some of these countertop ice maker units can be a bit noisy or louder than expected. From customer reviews in the Amazon and other stores, it is the experience of customers that portable ice makers have a higher breakdown rate. Top Brands to look for are Avanti, Danby, Scotsman, Sunpentown, Whirlpool, U-line and Viking.

Some of the recommended models come with a price tag of $210 while at $350 price you can get a more expensive but larger model of Portable Countertop Ice Maker.

It is recommended to check from reputable websites like Amazon what customers are saying and their reviews especially on the brand you choose to buy. There are many models of ice makers that receive excellent owner reviews with prices between $ 150 -$ 250 and which are perfect for summer parties and barbeques.

Most of these fridges used in homes will produce enough ice for a family’s needs with many providing up to 40 pounds of ice in a day. The ice cube maker also sometimes doubles as crushed ice maker by producing ice in a crushed form.
The ice will usually appear opaque but if you want crystal clear ice cubes then you might have to go for a more expensive make of fridge or look for a water filter which will give you clear ice cubes. Clear ice makers are always more expensive.

However one of the inconveniences of using a home ice maker is the speed as they can take up to 120 minutes to make a new batch of ice. The other disadvantage is the quality of ice can be affected by the unpleasant food odors within the fridge and the quality of water used in making the ice.  Cleaning the inside of the fridge with a little vinegar or lemon juice added to the water will usually remove any odor leaving the equipment clean.

It is still a wise idea to have a stand along countertop ice maker in your home as a secondary source of ice if you entertain often.

The cooling feeling from a cold drink provides a relief from the thirst and heat. Most modern refrigerators today are equipped with an automatic ice cube maker. However there are many types of ice makers and all provide different service depending on your needs.

How Ice Maker Work
The process of ice making is very simple.  What happens is water is frozen into set shapes.
For a simple home ice maker, plastic trays with shaped molds are filled with water and left to freeze. This is turned into solid ice cubes depending on the shape of the molds.
These ice makers use certain elements hooked up into your refrigerator. An electric motor, with an electrically operated water valve together with a heating unit make up the components required to run an ice maker.  The power to run these elements is hooked up from the same electric power of the fridge. The icemaker needs to be connected to the house plumbing line which will be the source of water for making the ice cubes.
Most of us are more familiar with the refrigerator ice maker unit found inside a home freezer or refrigerator.  However for those needed larger amount of ice there are machines for commercial purposes that are stand-alone appliances called commercial ice makers.

Types of Ice Makers
There are generally three types of ice maker machines available in the market.

• Home ice maker which is commonly found in most modern freezer or fridge.  These are what most of us are familiar with and they provide us with ice at home.

• Portable ice maker also known as countertop ice maker is a perfect party accessory and a great addition to any bar, office, kitchen or RV. If you entertain a lot then a portable ice maker can be useful to supplement your refrigerator ice maker

• Commercial ice maker or undercounter ice maker can be found in hotels, bars, airports, supermarkets and convenient stores or any institution that requires ice in large quantities.

The type of ice maker you choose will be influenced by what you want to use the ice for and the quantity required. If you want the ice for industrial usage then a commercial ice maker will be your best option.

You never need to worry again about not having enough ice cubes for your party or trip anymore. With home ice makers and commercial ice makers you can meet all your ice needs for your every day or any other special occasion.