Ice Makers & Snow Cone Machines
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Having a nice cold beverage can help to recharge your brain and recalibrate your day. While it’s easy to pop your drink into a refrigerator, you can speed up the cooling process by adding a few ice cubes to your glass. Many homes and businesses opt for countertop ice makers because they can be portable, they work quickly and boast a host of other exciting benefits. They fit easily into small counter spaces alongside appliances like microwaves and automatic coffee makers. Read more below.
What Are The Benefits of Using a Countertop Ice Maker?
Some of the benefits associated with table top ice makers are as follows:
- Faster than trays
- Free up valuable freezer space
- Portable for occasions like parties, picnics and camping
- No installation
- Easy to use
- Affordable
- Smaller than a freezer and takes up less space
- Some countertop ice makers also allow you to create specific types of ice
How Do Countertop Ice Makers Work?
Portable and table top ice makers have reservoirs that fill with water. Once prompted to begin, the reservoir releases water into a mold and waits for it to freeze. Then, it releases the ice into the holding chamber, if available.
When the stored ice goes unused, the machine automatically recycles it into new cubes for minimal waste. Most portable table top ice makers require refills to be done by hand, and have handy lids designed to make it as simple as possible.
Some select portable ice cube makers have the option of connecting a direct line for a continuous water source as needed. Sometimes these products contain instructions – although other times they may require a plumber for installation. If you’re planning on infrequently moving your countertop ice maker, or intend for it to be a permanent fixture, you may want to look into direct water line models.
How Do I Clean a Table Top Ice Maker?
Periodically cleaning your portable countertop ice maker is a must. If yours has a filter, it’s as simple as changing the filter when recommended, likely every three or six months. If it doesn’t, you’ll want to look for signs of a cleaning being needed. If your cubes are smaller than usual or have a strange taste or odor then it’s probably time.
Steps include:
- Removing the ice from your machine - it should be empty before cleaning.
- Adding a cleaning solution (like water and lemon juice, or water and white vinegar) to your device’s water reservoir.
- Running the ice maker to produce at least two batches, and discarding the ice.
- Draining the cleaning solution from the water reservoir.
- Rinsing out the reservoir.
- Adding fresh water back into the water reservoir.
- Running the ice maker at least two more times and discarding the ice to finish rinsing the system.
- Draining the water.
- Adding new water to the reservoir, and finally you’re set to get back to your usual routine.