Table top ice maker suggestions

[bobbrazie]

Did a search but didn't find any meaningful material on table top ice machines.
Does anyone have one? How do you like it? what might be recommendations?
Thanks in advance. Bob.

[sourdough]

I had a Correction: Dometic 35lb. unit I used for years (from Lowes) and loved it. It finally started acting up and I replaced it with this;

https://www.amazon.com/NewAir-AI-100...s%2C177&sr=8-3

Don't know what is going on though; paid 141 for it in November and now it's over 220?? It puts out literally as much ice as the HiSense but is considerably smaller and lighter.

[bobbecky]

We had one for over four years and it finally died. Ordered a new one from Amazon, a bit smaller than the first one but really produces more ice and faster. We’ve had it about a year and very happy with it. https://www.amazon.com/your-orders/p...ntId=D7qXJfKG2

[chuckster57]

We have an Emerson, going on 8 or 9 years and still going strong. I have found if you use the cold water from the ice chest it makes ice a lot faster. We use the freezer with bottled water for “drinking” ice. Ice chest is for bottled drinks.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

We have an Emerson, going on 8 or 9 years and still going strong. I have found if you use the cold water from the ice chest it makes ice a lot faster. We use the freezer with bottled water for “drinking” ice. Ice chest is for bottled drinks.

X2
We also have an Emerson and works well.

[bobbrazie]

Thanks. Which one did you buy? The link takes me to my orders. (g)

[Hapycmpr]

We are using a Dometic, works well and have had it for about 3 1/2 years.

[bobbrazie]

I couldn't find a Dometic table top ice maker on their web site. Where did you find it?
Thanks.

[flybouy]

bobbrazie, for the price of the portable ice makers these days I wouldn't fret to much over brand. It's like microwaves or any other "new technology". The first year or two they are out the manufactures are getting the money they spent in R & D and marketing back. After a few years, some improvements, and competition they get better, lighter, quieter, more reliable, more cost effective.

First microwaves were hundreds of dollars and now you can get them for under $50. Ice makers were the same, now you can get one for under $100 on sale. At that price it doesn't take long for it to "pay for itself" in the cost of a bag of ice.

Google "portable ice maker" and you will find enough reviews/recommendations and tests to make your head spin. Bottom line, I think any of the units out there will deliver an ROI (return on investment) the first season you use it.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by bobbrazie

I couldn't find a Dometic table top ice maker on their web site. Where did you find it?
Thanks.

When I went to replace my Dometic they had been discontinued (1-2) years ago and I believe that is the case now. That is the reason I bought the New Aire which worked very well.

[ADQ K9]

Ours is a Magic Chef got it for a Christmas present last year works good so far, have used it at the stick and brick and the trailer, works good claims roughly a pound an hour. We don't have any have a whole lot of Ice storage, but we usually start out with two bags from the store in a 54 quart cooler and then add the ice from the maker as it is made to keep our drinks cold.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by bobbrazie

I couldn't find a Dometic table top ice maker on their web site. Where did you find it?
Thanks.

I think Dometic is no longer marketing a "table top ice maker". Typically, they are all made by the same manufacturer (in China) and the only difference is the arrangement of the control panel and/or the color of the interior plastic parts.

They all have a small "ice maker" that freezes water around "super cold pins" and then releases those "ice spirals" into a basket where they sit and melt back into the same water that is used to "freeze the posts"... There's a small scoop to get ice out of the basket for use.

Buy one from any retailer, regardless of name and you'll likely get the identical ice maker that you'd get from Dometic.

Sam's Club as them in many stores for $109. It's the same as Target's $129 or the Camping World $149 ice maker, just a different control panel.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

I think Dometic is no longer marketing a "table top ice maker". Typically, they are all made by the same manufacturer (in China) and the only difference is the arrangement of the control panel and/or the color of the interior plastic parts.

They all have a small "ice maker" that freezes water around "super cold pins" and then releases those "ice spirals" into a basket where they sit and melt back into the same water that is used to "freeze the posts"... There's a small scoop to get ice out of the basket for use.

Buy one from any retailer, regardless of name and you'll likely get the identical ice maker that you'd get from Dometic.

Sam's Club as them in many stores for $109. It's the same as Target's $129 or the Camping World $149 ice maker, just a different control panel.

The New Aire I linked above looked virtually identical to the Dometic I was replacing. Took off the side panel when I received it and the innards looked just like it as well.

[bobbrazie]

Thanks to everyone! All of the input was much help.
Thanks again!