The 4 Best Undercounter Ice Makers for Your Kitchen
Dotdash Meredith and Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.
Never run out of ice again.
Food & Wine / KitchenAid
Depending on the size of your household or how frequently you entertain, the ice maker in your freezer may not keep up with your needs. For a steady supply of cubes (or another shape of ice) to keep drinks chilled or fill an ice chest, invest in an ice maker. These appliances make more ice than the average freezer, and some churn out the dense, clear ice that you'd otherwise use an ice mold to achieve. If you don't have the space for a countertop ice maker, or if you'd prefer a new appliance to take a less prominent place in your kitchen, consider an undercounter model. Often installed into the cabinetry, it can be as seamless as a dishwasher or built-in wine fridge. We researched undercounter ice makers to find the best balance of design, efficiency, capacity, and overall value.
Best Overall: Whirlpool WUI95X15HZ 15-inch Built-In Ice Maker
Buy at Appliancesconnection.com
This top-rated ice maker from Whirlpool will let you hold up to 25 pounds of ice at a time, more than enough to cool down a pitcher of mint lemonade. This model uses special freezing technology to make clear ice cubes that are very dense and free of air bubbles, which means slower melting. If you’re running low on ice, use the Fast Ice setting to help speed up production. While this machine doesn’t come with a filter, you can purchase one separately for a quick and painless installation.
This ice maker is equipped with LED interior lighting so you can easily check on ice levels and also has a self-cleaning cycle for easy maintenance. Available in black, white, and fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finishes, it fits seamlessly into any decor scheme. It’s also fingerprint-resistant. The reversible door offers even more flexibility and it can be installed under the counter or used as a free-standing unit in your garage or bar area.
Price at time of publish: $2,248
Dimensions: 33.63 (H) x 15 (W) x 25.38 (D) inches
Ice Storage Capacity: 25 pounds
Daily Ice Production: 50 pounds
Ice Shape: Cube
Best Value: Costway 15-Inch Built-In Ice Maker
An ice maker will be an investment no matter the price point, but this commercial-grade option from Costway costs half of the average model. Each ice cycle lasts between seven to 11 minutes, producing 40 cubes at a time — a nice pace for replenishing your supply if you’re serving agua fresca or punch at a party. It holds 25 pounds of ice at once, and it can make a whopping 80 pounds of ice per day. The sleek, stainless steel design of this model looks fantastic as a built-in addition, and the door is reversible so you can install it to your preference.
An LCD panel control lets you set ice thickness, a timer, self-cleaning mode, and auto-deicing at the touch of a button. A removable ice bucket, ice scoop, and water inlet and outlet hoses are included for easy setup and installation out of the box.
Price at time of publish: $823
Dimensions: 33.5 (H) x 15 (W) x 20.3 (D) inches
Ice Storage Capacity: 25 pounds
Ice Production: 80 pounds
Ice Shape: Crescent
Best Splurge: KitchenAid 22.8-lb Reversible Door Built-In Cubed Ice Maker
Buy at Appliancesconnection.com
When design matters as much as performance, this model from KitchenAid is an excellent choice. Its stylish construction allows it to sit flush with cabinets, providing an effortless integration into the kitchen. For finishes, choose between stainless steel, black, and a panel-ready version that can blend into the cabinets completely. A sturdy handle also doubles as a towel bar, and the door can be installed with either a right or left hinge, depending on your access needs.
While this ice maker gets points for aesthetics, its clear ice technology also impresses. Its dense, long-lasting cubes are perfect for cocktails. The Max Ice cycle runs 56% faster than the normal cycle, perfect for when you need to replenish your supply during especially hot days or when entertaining. This model is filter-ready and equipped with a factory-installed drain pump to keep things flowing, as well as a self-cleaning cycle for easy upkeep.
Price at time of publish: $2,649
Dimensions: 34.06 (H) x 14.88 (W) x 25.38 (D) inches
Ice Storage Capacity: 25 pounds
Ice Production: 22.8 pounds
Ice Shape: Cube
Best Small: Whynter 14 Undercounter Automatic Marine Ice Maker
Designed for use on an RV, boat, or yacht, this compact ice maker from Whynter will ensure you always have fresh cubes on hand. Despite its small size, it has a 12-pound ice bin capacity and can produce 23 pounds of crescent-shaped ice in less than 24 hours. When the ice bin has reached its limit, it has an automatic shutoff to prevent overfilling. It’s also built to keep ice frozen, so no drain fitting is needed.
A reversible door can be installed to open left or right, and it also has a latch lock to ensure the fridge stays closed when the boat or RV is in motion. Its stainless steel hardware is easy to maintain and built to last with a corrosion-resistant, marine-grade finish – again, Whynter has boats in mind. It’s ready to install as is, or you can purchase an additional kit for flush-to-cabinet or flush-to-door alignment for a more streamlined look. You can also use it as a freestanding appliance.
Price at time of publish: $1,050
Dimensions: 24.5 (H) x 14 (W) x 16.25 (D) inches
Ice Storage Capacity: 12 pounds
Ice Production: 23 pounds
Ice Shape: Crescent
Factors to Consider
Capacity
The size of the ice maker’s storage bin will determine how much ice you can have on hand at a time. That means for larger households and those that like to entertain, the bigger, the better. An equally important consideration is the ice maker’s production capacity—check how much ice the unit can generate in a 24 hour period to decide if it meets your needs.
Ice Type
If you have a specific ice preference, this is a factor you should pay close attention to. Machines can make cubes, crescents, nugget ice, chips, and more, with each shape being more suited to a particular use. For example, cubes are most popular for icing drinks, while nugget ice is a little softer, chewable, and works well for blended cocktails and smoothies. Some models also make clear ice, which is more dense and free of impurities, making it denser and longer lasting.
Cooling System
Ice makers use either air or water to cool their refrigeration systems. Air-cooled ice machines are typically more energy efficient, but they require more clearance and require adequate ambient air circulation. Water-cooled machines are great for areas that might have a significant amount of particles or grease in the air, poor circulation, or limited space; the drawback is that they require a lot of water to run, which may result in higher operating costs.
Drainage
Almost every ice maker will need some sort of drainage system to drain off any melted ice and condensation, typically either a gravity drain or drain pump. A gravity drain requires a drain that is located within two feet of the ice machine to work properly. If that isn’t available, a drain pump will help move water from further away to the nearest drainage point. Double check which one your selected ice maker has before committing to a model to see if it’s compatible with your setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you install an under-counter ice maker?
While many models will come with do-it-yourself installation instructions, it can get tricky when it comes to hooking into a water line or setting up a drainage system. If you’re not familiar with installing built-in appliances, it’s best to call a professional to ensure proper installation.
How do you clean an under-counter ice maker?
Many of the newer ice makers have self-cleaning options that should be run regularly. If it does not have that option, you can defrost and thoroughly clean the inside with mild soap and water. You will also want to regularly vacuum dust and dirt from the condenser, and wipe down the exterior. For more detailed cleaning instructions, consult your machine’s instruction manual.
How long does an under-counter ice maker take to make ice?
This depends on each machine. Some can produce ice in anywhere from 12 to 20 minutes, while others may take a little longer. Most machines will specify how much ice they can make in a 24 hour period, which can also vary depending on the ambient temperature — an ice maker may work slower in the heat of summer if your house tends to run warm.
Does an under-counter ice maker need a filter to work?
No, though many higher-end commercial ice makers may come with a pre-installed filter to remove impurities and sediment to make clearer, cleaner, denser ice. Some models also have the option to add a filter, but it isn’t required.
Our Expertise
Bernadette Machard de Gramont is an LA-based freelance writer specializing in food, wine, and kitchen products. After a two-year stint at Williams Sonoma headquarters in San Francisco, she now researches and tests a variety of cookware, bakeware, and wine tools, and interviews field experts for their insight.
For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on Food & Wine.
