Do ice makers need water lines? This question frequently puzzles homeowners with limited kitchen space but still want a separate ice maker in their kitchen. The answer lies in understanding how does ice maker work, but just scrolling down a little bit can help impatient readers to have their quick answer.
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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Do ice makers need water lines?
Some ice makers need water lines while others don’t, depending on their design and intended use. This fundamental concept separates ice makers into two main types: undercounter ice makers that need to be manually installed, so they need water lines; and countertop ice makers that don’t need water lines. If you have limited spaces to connect the ice maker with water lines, choose one countertop ice maker instead.
Countertop ice makers: No water line required
Portable countertop ice makers operate without any need of water lines. These compact units have built-in water reservoirs that you need to fill manually. Once filled, the internal system circulates the water to produce ice within minutes. A countertop ice maker is meant to prioritize convenience and flexibility over continuous operation.
The reservoir-based design offers several advantages. These units can be placed anywhere with access to an electrical outlet, making them ideal for rented apartments, RVs, boats, or temporary setups. They require no professional installation or water lines. Many people love how easily they can be stored when not in use, sparing valuable counter space.
Obviously, the convenience means limitations. A countertop ice maker can’t produce such huge amount of ice (limit to about 26-40 pounds daily) and require continuous water filling. It won’t keep ice for long if you don’t take care, and unused ice will melt back to the reservoir, activating the ice making process again. Yes, if you forget the countertop ice maker to run on its own, it will cost much more energy.
Undercounter ice makers: Water lines required
Undercounter ice makers, (also called built-in ice makers, or commercial ice makers) require direct water line connection. You need to know how to install an undercounter ice maker for it to work, requiring water lines as source to supply water in ice production process. As a result, ice production can repeat on its own, without intervention.
The automatic water supply system is required for high-volume ice productions, thus the undercounter ice maker is called “commercial”. These ice machines produce substantially more ice (often 50-500+ pounds daily) and have a consistent supply without user attention. The direct connection also help the ice maker to drain, either through gravity drain or pump, preventing water accumulation issues.
Because of this, many luxury homeowners will choose an undercounter ice maker instead of countertop ones. An undercounter ice maker usually has high-insulated ice bin that can keep the ice to last for hours, thus making ice always available to use.
I hope that you have your answer for the question “Do ice makers need water lines?” If you only want a portable ice maker that makes quick ice whenever you plug it in, then no, this ice maker don’t need water lines.
