If you think the phenomenon of ice making is all about igloos and Eskimos, you’re selling the subject short. Ice making goes as far back as 400 BC when Egyptians used to set out clay pots filled with water to freeze on frigid nights. The “yakhchal” was an ancient type of evaporative cooler with a domed shape above-ground, which was used for storing ice in a subterranean manner.
Artificial refrigeration was discovered by William Cullen at the University of Glasgow in 1748, but it was American inventor, mechanical engineer, and physicist Jacob Perkins who, in 1834, built the first practical refrigerating machine using ether in a vapor compression cycle.
The close of the 19th century saw multiple inventors try their hand at ice-making, but with dangerous side effects. Toxic gases such as ammonia, methyl chloride, and sulfur dioxide used as refrigerants resulted in further collaboration by researchers. In 1930, General Motors and DuPont came together to produce Freon, which would later become the standard for almost all consumer and industrial refrigerators.
Today’s ice makers are a game-changer for any kitchen. But which one is the right fit for you? Here are our selections for the best countertop ice makers on the market.
Restaurant style
This elegant unit is the perfect size for any countertop in your home; whether it’s in the kitchen, the man-cave, or the outdoor tiki bar poolside. You can schedule an ice-making session from the convenience of your mobile phone app. And it senses when the bin is full, so there’s no need to worry about overfilling. There is no water hookup needed for this unit; just plug it in and fill the reservoir with water. As ice melts, the water returns to the reservoir where the process starts all over again.
High capacity bucket
This machine from Crownful produces up to nine ice cubes in just 8 to 10 minutes. The quiet cooling system requires low energy to cool, and the intuitive one-button operation makes start-up a snap. The removable ice bucket is high capacity, able to hold up to 70-80 ice cubes at a time. This unit also features an indicator that lets you know if it needs water, needs cleaning, or has ice ready to go. For normal use, it takes either running water, mineral water, or conventional pure water.
Effortless maintenance
This automatic self-cleaning machine yields 26 pounds of ice in 24 hours, making it the ideal unit for rather large get-togethers. A carry handle makes it convenient for transportation, whether in a backyard or cottage setting. The capacity of the basket stores 1.25 pounds of ice at a time. LED lights let you know when you need to add water and when the basket is full, and allow you to choose the size of the ice cubes. It will make nine cylinder-shaped cubes in as little as 7 minutes.
Fully adjustable
With this unit, 24 ice cubes will be produced every 12-18 minutes with this modern-styled countertop design. That means up to 40 pounds of ice in a 24-hour span, which also means you’ll be ready to go for that big holiday bash. The timer can be set to delay production for up to 8 hours, and indicator lights let you know when the unit needs more water or when the bucket is full. Best of all, you can adjust the thickness of your cubes according to your needs.
Smart and sleek
Why are bullet-shaped ice cubes effective? It is because they chill drinks more evenly, and move about the glass without causing splashing, making for a clean and comfortable quaff. This smart and sleek ice maker produces such an ice cube. A large translucent window not only allows you to see the contents inside but is also more resistant to dirt for easy cleaning. It’s equipped with a scooper for easy serving, a 26-pound capacity bucket, and makes 9 ice cubes per 7-minute cycle.
Zac Jones is a contributing writer to Florida Travel & Life, an online brand that inspires active, affluent travelers, providing them with insider information on discovering the best of Florida. Informative and engaging, the website showcases travel destinations, arts and cultural venues, vibrant dining scenes, recreational activities, the great outdoors and the revitalized real-estate market. Zac is a former broadcast journalist, TV actor, voiceover artist, and executive producer. As a baseball aficionado, he enjoys rooting for Florida’s Tampa Bay Rays.
