The question of whether can ice makers be left running all the time is mostly concerned by homeowners, who may want to know whether the ice maker operates in the same way as the refrigerator. An ice maker is more and more popular in many kitchens, providing plenty supply of ice for many ice enthusiasts. That’s why it will be easier if we can leave the ice maker running 24/7.
However, it is not a question that we can easily answer yes or no, so just hang out a little bit more.
I’ve made a comprehensive “Ice Maker FAQ” series collecting all common ice maker problems to help Ice Artisan readers quickly troubleshoot their ice maker units.
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Can ice makers be left running all the time?
Most residential countertop ice makers can be left running all the time. To run 24/7 without fail, the countertop ice maker makes use of multiple sensors that monitor various parameters including water level, ice bin fullness, and freezing progress. These systems often include circuit boards with timing mechanisms to bring the ice maker into standby mode whenever possible.
So, when your ice maker’s bin is full, or when there is no water, the ice maker will automatically stop operating. The countertop ice maker is not a freezer and its storage isn’t as insulated as the commercial units, and you can expect the ice will melt faster in the bin, thus activating the whole ice making process again.
For the commercial and undercounter ice maker, it is made for continuous operation. People buying an undercounter ice maker can expect to have ice ready whenever possible, because the undercounter ice maker has its own supply and drainage system, so it is engineered with continuous duty cycles in mind. It has better insulating so the ices inside will last far longer before melting.
So for the question “Can ice makers be left running all the time?”, yes, but how long should you leave an ice maker on for? Let’s find out.
How long should you leave an ice machine on for?
For residential countertop ice makers, you should only run the ice maker when you need to. These portable ice makers benefit from 4-8 hours operation followed by complete shutdown, particularly overnight when you sleep and don’t need to chew ices. By doing this, you can expect to extend component lifespan and reduce energy consumption, potentially saving 30-45% on electricity costs compared to continuous operation.
Commercial ice makers also benefits from a total shutdown when out of your business hours, just make sure you empty the storage bin before turning them off. Some undercounter ice makers have the feature to schedule time, when they need to operate and when they can sleep. For 24-hour operations, perhaps you should think of getting more than one commercial ice maker, and rotate between them. I wrote another article to sum up what happens if you don’t turn off the ice maker, I think you should read this research.
How long should you leave an ice maker on can be greatly affected by seasons. During summer months, you can run an ice maker for longer than I advised, but when winter days coming, perhaps you should store it under counter. Just make sure you clean the ice maker before storing it.
Is it okay to leave ice maker on all the time?
No, leaving a countertop ice maker running all the time is not advisable. First of all, you don’t need that amount of ices, otherwise you buy an undercounter ice maker. Second, if you don’t take ices out of the countertop ice maker, the process of melting and making ices will repeat continuously, rocketing your electricity bill. Finally, a $100 appliance running on and on for 24/7? For sure you will break the countertop unit and need to replace the ice maker.
While a commercial ice maker is meant for long-hour operation, it will benefit a lot from scheduled downtime. Most manufacturers will recommend at least one 24-hour shutdown period monthly for through cleaning, unclogging and properly draining. It is the heart of your bar business, don’t let it die even for one second, right?
For homeowners who really want to leave ice maker on all the time, consider getting the best undercounter ice maker. Also, I recommend you to empty storage bin at the end of the day, storing all ices in bag and put into your freezer. Remember to set up auto-cleaning feature of the ice maker one per week, and clean your ice maker at least one per month.
