Wondering how long does an ice maker take to make ice? You are buying an ice maker and it seems to take forever to make the first ice. Or you are looking to buy an ice maker to serve a party or business that need ices as quick as possible. Just my guess, but be patient, ices will drop down for you soon.
When selecting an ice maker for your home or business, many people will want to know how long to get the first batch of ice, so they can count the quantity of ices they can get after a set time. Countertop ice makers will operate differently than their undercounter counterparts, each designed with specific use cases and production capacities in mind.
I’m looking for the technology behind modern ice makers to advance, with impressive improvements in freezing times compared to older generations. Nowadays, we can have the first batch of ice in a very short time.
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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How long does a countertop ice maker take to make ice?
If you’ve got a countertop ice maker at home, you’ll get your first batch of ice in about 6-12 minutes. These portable machines usually make bullet ice – the hollow, round-tipped kind that freezes fast because of its shape. A decent countertop ice maker produces between 20-30 pounds of ice each day, creating new pieces every 6-15 minutes.
Brands like Frigidaire and Euhomy make quick portable models that can make 9 pieces of bullet ice in just 6-8 minutes. If your countertop machine makes clear ice cubes or chewy nugget ice, it’ll take longer – about 15-20 minutes for the first batch. These ice types need extra time to form properly.
Most countertop ice makers keep a steady run throughout the day, though they slow down a bit in hot rooms or after running for hours. They’re built with auto-cycling features that keep making ice until the bin fills up, then start again when there’s room for more (even if it means the ice is melting into water).
Related post: Best countertop ice maker.
How long does an undercounter ice maker take to make ice?
Undercounter ice makers for businesses focus on making lots of ice rather than making it quickly. These commercial ice machines need about 15-30 minutes for the first batch but then keep producing at rates of 50-500+ pounds daily, depending on the size and model you choose.
Restaurant ice makers from brands like Manitowoc and Hoshizaki typically make crescent or full cube ice at 80-400 pounds per day. The first freezing cycle takes around 20 minutes, with more ice dropping every 15-30 minutes after that.
These commercial machines are very reliable appliances. Even when daily temperature change a bit, they keep making ice like normal. They use strong compressors and cooling systems to keep working well even on busy days when they’re used constantly.
Related post: Best undercounter ice maker.
Why is my ice maker taking so long to make ice?
Your ice maker is taking so long to make ice because of 4 main factors: water temperature, room temperature, its designated ice type and no regular cleaning. If you find your ice maker completely stop working, I highly advise to read my article of “How to fix ice maker not making ice“.
Back to 4 factors that affect how fast your ice maker works:
Water temperature matters a lot. Cold water freezes faster, so your ice maker finishes cycles quicker. Using pre-chilled water instead of warm tap water can speed up production by 10-25%.
Room temperature changes how well ice makers work. They do best in rooms between 50-80°F. When it’s near 90°F, your machine might take 20-50% longer to make the same amount of ice. It mainly affects the countertop ice makers.
Ice type affects speed too. Small bullet ice forms quickly. Clear cubes and soft nugget ice need more time. Crescent ice sits in the middle – not too slow to make but cools drinks well. The bigger size of your ice cubes, the longer time the ice maker takes to make ice.
Regular cleaning keeps your machine running fast. A clean ice maker works much better than a dirty one. Scale buildup on the freezing parts can make cycles 15-40% longer, so cleaning regularly makes a big difference. Read my article of “How to clean ice maker” to know the step-by-step guide on cleaning your ice maker, whether it is a countertop or undercounter machine.
