Are built-in ice makers better than portable ones? I find this question only among the homeowners looking to justify their purchase of an ice maker, especially when they are in the middle of decision. We must consider several factors including available space, daily ice requirements, and budget considerations; before jumping into the answer.
So here we are, let’s find out the winner of the game: countertop ice makers vs undercounter ice makers; or portable vs built-in ice makers.
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Countertop vs undercounter ice makers
While the business owners always swear for an undercounter ice maker to support their beverage businesses, the answer is never easy for a homeowner. When selecting the perfect ice maker for your home, the choice between countertop and undercounter models must meet your requirements. Each type has distinct advantages. Understanding the unique benefits of both options will help you make the best decision for your ice-making needs.
Are portable ice makers better than commercial ones?
Countertop ice makers have unmatched portability and flexibility that you won’t never have with a permanent installation of undercounter ice maker. These compact units can be placed anywhere with a standard electrical outlet, so today you like it on top of your counter, next day you want it on your bedroom bar? No problem.
Compactness is also necessary when you don’t have the luxury of space, as you need an ice maker to be as small as possible. Think of a rented room, RV or vacation home, these are the places that you can afford only a portable ice maker.
Flexibility is also a reason to buy a countertop ice maker. If you plan to move between places, or just because you want a simple bucket of ice ready for your next camping; I give you the best portable ice maker you can buy. If you’ve already bought an undercounter ice maker, sorry, but you need another ice bucket to enjoy the garden party.
The affordability factor cannot be overlooked—with most of my picks for the best budget ice maker under $200 being a countertop unit, you will have to pay as less as $89 to enjoy an iced drink. For an undercounter ice maker, at least you should think of saving $500 for a decent model.
And don’t forget that a countertop ice maker is super easy to install, well…, actually you just only need to plug and play the countertop ice maker. After unboxing, you’re ready to enjoy your first batch of ice in only the next 6 minutes. Okay, I forget to mention that speed is also the key of the portable ice maker, because you get 9 bullet ice pieces ready in only 6-8 minutes, and when you are entertaining 1-2 guests, that’s quite enough to cool the drinks.
Related post: Best countertop ice maker.
Are built-in ice makers better than portable ones?
Undercounter ice makers (or built-in, commercial ice makers) are the monster in making huge ice capacity. If you’re buying the best commercial ice maker, you must be ready to deliver ices for hundreds people at once. Most undercounter ice makers will have a storage capacity of 20-25 pounds, x10-20 times the capacity of the countertop ice makers. You want to host a party for about 10 people? Only the undercounter ice maker can meet your demands.
Do you care of the ice quality? Do you want the gourmet top-hat ice from your last night’s bar? Or do you enjoy chewing nugget ice at Sonic? Those ices are signatures of the undercounter ice makers. Countertop ice makers at higher price can try to capture about 80% of the ice quality you can get from the undercounter ice makers. So, do you care of the ice quality, again?
Longevity and durability is another reason why you choose undercounter models. In my article of
“When to replace ice maker?”, I found out that most countertop ice makers are expected to last 1-3 years when the countertop ice makers can last at least 10 years. For some models of Hoshizaki undercounter ice makers, you can expect the appliance still run as long as you live. Because of the better longevity, the higher cost of the undercounter ice makers is better justified.
When producing the same ice type, most undercounter ice makers, especially ones from Scotsman or Manitowoc can save energy and water better than the countertop ice makers. Yes, because we calculate the energy and water needed for making 100 lbs of ice, and undercounter ice makers actually save more money for you.
Related post: Best undercounter ice maker.
Conclusion
The decision between countertop and undercounter ice makers ultimately depends on what you value more. If you need a compact and versatile ice maker, don’t want the trouble of installation, or simply don’t understand why to spend hundreds dollars to have ices, get the countertop ice makers. Otherwise, if you value the long-term investment, or just want a lot of ices for big parties, then go with the undercounter ice maker. No winner for everyone, sorry.
