When looking for an ice maker you need to ask yourself some questions to help you make a decision which will meet your needs
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.