TIP 1

You should ensure that your ice machine is never exposed to too much heat. Temperatures no less than 40F and no higher than 90F is a good range to follow. Check that the machine also has good air flow.

TIP 2

Clean the exterior parts of the machine at least weekly. You can also use diluted bleach on stainless steel or commercial machines to prohibit mold growing.

TIP 3

Clean the air filters frequently. Any dust, grease or other dirt’s can limit the air filters efficiency and decrease the ice makers performance.

NOTE: Never hit or bang the air filters against anything when cleaning, as this is likely to damage the filter.

TIP 4

Routine checks of the ice makers storage bin and any drain pipes, is necessary to eradicate any debris build ups that may occur.

TIP 5

Avoid using the ice machine for anything other than for making and storing ice. You should also steer clear of stacking boxes and or store supplies on top of the machine.

TIP 6

Sanitizing the machine after you have cleaned it is highly recommended. You should do this by following the manufactures instructions. The areas that you should concerned with are the storage bin and dispenser if you have one.

TIP 7

When cleaning is complete you should test all the cycles of your machine. This is done by checking the freeze and harvest times – as well as looking at the parts in-case replacements are needed. You should also throw out the first batch of ice made after you have cleaned the machine.

Here are the top ice maker cleaner detergents:

Whirlpool 4396808 Ice Machine Cleaner 16-Ounce

Nu-Calgon 428734 Ice Machine Cleaner 16 oz

Conclusion

You should keep in mind that the number of times you clean an ice machine cam vary considerable from machine to machine.

The quality of water being used as well as where the unit is installed or place can also affect how frequently you carry out cleaning.

When preparing foods especially those that contain yeast, such as bread – it’s important that special attention payed to yeast bacteria, as this can impact a machines operation.

Typically for commercial machines cleaning is every 1,2 or 3 months. The instruction manual will give a more definite answer. Adhering to instructions will ensure the longest life and running time of your unit.

As mentioned previous, we have the nugget an pellet ice – It is called nugget because of it’s small unique and soft shape. Again it is also similarly called Pellet ice for similar reasons, size look etc.

Chewable ice has come to be the perfect compliment for particular beverages such as smoothies, blended cocktails, salad bars and other therapeutic uses.

Benefits Of Nuggets and Pellets

One of the main benefits of chewable ice is that it melts slower, which also means it does not dilute drinks very quickly. And once the drink has been consumed – chewing the ice is easily done.

The clear crisp appearance of the ice even looks good which is another added bonus.

The third type of chewable ice is Pearl ice – this is made by ice-o-matic and has all the qualities of the aforementioned ice types

So where do you get a Nugget, Pearl or Pellet ice maker? Well, we have sourced some of the best machines for you. Check out the top chewable ice making machines below:

(1)- Brilliance 60 lb Nugget Ice Machine

You get a machine that is 15 inches in cabinet width. You can get 30lbs of ice from the unit. All of this will be made in 24 hours. You can store some of the ice, even over half i.e. 26lbs.

Nugget ice is produced – this is formed from compacted ice, this makes it softer and more chewable. The nugget ice will also absorb flavors of drinks that you put it in better than block ice

You can expect a lot of efficiency also with 40% less energy used and 50% less water. You can benefit from the the stylish sleek design. This unit is very agreeable with soft drinks because of it’s ability to absorb flavors.

You can also get 1 year parts and labor for all the components and you get 5 years parts on the compressor. Storage is good as you can store up to half of the ice it can make. It makes 26lb of ice and stores 12lbs.

(2)- Scotsman SCN60PA1SS Brilliance 15″ Stainless Steel Undercounter Ice Maker

You can make 80lbs of ice and store 26lbs of it in the storage bin. You can get nice drinks from the softer nugget ice that is created by Scotsman.

The self closing door is a good mechanism for safety reasons. You can operate the machine easily by using the user friendly control panel. The control pane shows you alerts such as no water, power being on and the machine letting you know that the machine now needs to be cleaned.

You can get a lot of ice ready for you to use with the SCN60PA1SS. The dimensions are 33 inches in height, 15 inches in width and 23 inches in deph

(3)- Ice-O-Matic GEMU090 85 lbs/day Undercounter Pearl Ice Machine

The air cooled ice-o-matic GEMU090, it can make 85lbs of ice for you every 24 hours. The front breathing stainless steel finished unit is air cooled. The chewable brand of ice is being used which is called Pearl.

You can store 22lbs of ice if you want to store ice and you can do this relatively quietly, as the machine operates with out making extreme amounts of noise.

The dimensions of the unit are as follows:

14.8 inches in Width x 22.75 inches in Depth x 33.37 inches in Height.

You can also fit the drainage section with a 1/4 inch inlet when fitting the machine. You can get a 2 year labor and parts warranty.

All the best in enjoying your pellet and nugget ice. You can check out more reviews by visiting the our other articles. They are even more ice machines to choose from here, even those that create more ice.

If you want to try and fix your your ice maker your self before calling our for a repair service their are some basic steps that can be followed that may resolve the problem.

Contrary to popular belief it is possible to fix an ice machine yourself.

Before we start with the tips it’s always good for you to have an overview of the process that takes place when ice is being made.

How Ice Is Made

The ice maker is connected to a water supply from a valve. The valve’s water supply line is controlled with an electric solenoid, this sends water in a special fill tube within the ice maker. It’s within the fill tube that the water freezes and is sent into an ice bin.

When this ice bin is full the unit automatically switches it’s self off.

Common Problems With Ice Machines

Unfortunately the most common problems with an ice maker is that it wont make ice, it wont stop making ice or it just stops working altogether.

What To Do When An Ice Maker Stops Working

Problem solving –

If the water supply is blocked or the solenoid isn’t working or the automatic stop mechanism isn’t working the ice maker wont work.

The pressure of your homes water supply can also have an impact on whether or not ice is made.

You will need to ensure that the bail wire that is above the ice collection drawer is not permanently locked in its upper position. If so this will shut off the ice.

Steps To Take

First thing to do is check that the bail wire above your ice tray is down.

Check the supply line for water, if you can hear the machine in operation and see the arm attempting to work. This will mean that the water valve is trying to get water but that it’s not arriving.

More likely than not the solenoid and valve are working – but no water is being supplied.

You will need to check the pipe and ensure that it is not caught up behind or under the fridge.

Generally it is better to have a 1/4-inch copper piping as this is better than plastic as it is much less likely to get caught.

Next you should check if the the tube pipe is actually frozen, this may happen if there is any thing that may be forcing ice back up the tube.

If you notice that ice cubes are decreasing in size – this is usually due to a frozen tube.

You can check the water line that is going into the freezer – to check for any blocks that may have occurred. Then you should check for a water shut off valve, which will be behind the refrigerator or under the sink. Once you have found the valve you should turn it off, then unscrew the copper or plastic line attached to the back of the refrigerator.

Once you have the piping put it in a bucket and then turn the valve back on, to see if any water pours out.

Checking The Tap Valve

You should check your tap valve. If you have a bad tap valve – because this is the pipe that connects to the ice maker this may cause a problem if it is not connected correctly.

If you have a problem with the valve you, should replace the valve inlet and tap valve. If your using a new tap valve the best one to use is one that requires a 1/4 inch hole drilled into it. Instead off a self-piercing type valve.

You can purchase an ice maker connecting kit and fit the valve yourself. If you’re not happy doing this you can call a repair person. Who you can ask to install an inline water filter at the same time they replace the valve.

Check On The Solenoid

The water line for your ice maker will attach to a solenoid, from the back of the refrigerator – which then fits into the ice machine. It may occur that the solenoid is defective or is not receiving power correctly.

The first thing you can try is to remove the sediment screen which is inside the solenoid and wash it down with water, to clean it off. While you are doing this you should inspect the seals to see if they are secure – before doing this you should unplug the refrigerator.

These are just some tips you may not of thought of. If you still can’t resolve the the issue, then it is best to consult a professional. You should also check out your warranty to see if your problems fall under it.

The cube tray is not always the most convenient for making ice,  which is where the under counter ice maker comes into play. Here are some of the advantages:

Money Saving

One of the best things about an undercounter machine is the money you can save. This is because an ice maker is specifically designed to make ice. It will create ice more quickly and efficiently.

In the long run having the ability to make your own ice means you wont have to make any.

Convenience

Unlike a ice tray a machine will give you ice without the need of having to dislodge ice manually from a tray. You in-turn get a higher quality of ice.

A good ice make can produce up to 86lbs a day and keep the ice frozen for much longer

Design Style

Trivial to some but essential to others an undercounter machine is stylish and often fits in well with your current decor. Companies such as u-line even make personalized machines which is an added bonus.

Because of the stylishness they can be used in place of trash compactors or other unwanted appliances, without taking up any extra room.

(1)- Whynter UIM-501SS Stainless Steel Built-In Clear Ice Maker

The Whynter UIM-501SS is a built in stainless steel ice maker and is a great compliment to and kitchen, especially the modern looks. It will also fit in nicely with the bar area.

The machine can produce 50lbs of ice daily which makes it ideal for in house use, you can then store 25lbs of ice inside its storage bin.

The stainless steel build is great for preventing smudges and finger print build up as well. It also ensures that wear and tear are kept at a minimum.

The Whynter is designed to be energy efficient and once fitted you can expect restaurant quality ice at home when ever you want it.

(2)- Scotsman CU2026SA-1 200 Lb. Air Cooled Small Cube Undercounter Ice Machine w/80 Lb. Bin

The Scotsman CU2026SA-1 200 Lb can produce small ice, which makes it great for blended drinks as well as easy to handle in general. The ice’s ability to break down easily makes it ideal for drinks, as it creates a smooth finish as it does so.

You can produce 200lbs of ice per day with this machine and it is air cooled, which means ice can be stored.

The Cabinet is made from very durable rust-free rotocast plastic, which means you can expect to use this machine for years.

The cord length is pretty good at 6ft and it also includes 6 inch legs.

The MIM75 to 95lbs Ice Machine

The MIM75 is a popular choice it can produce up to 95lbs of ice each day, and is able to store 25lbs of ice in it’s storage bin. Stainless steel has been used to construct the unit – so you can expect long use of this machine. This will also make cleaning the machine low maintenance.

The ice produced is crystal clear and in bullet shape, called this because of its shape. The ice works well with use in home,  restaurants, bars, hotels, grocery stores, and more.

This machine can be used as a built in ice machine or it can be free-standing. You can use the machine with a standard home electrical current and it can also be used for commercial use.

(4)- SPT IM-600US Stainless Steel Under-Counter Ice Maker – 50-Pound

This undercounter ice maker is able to make you 50lbs of ice a day. The ice is also of the highest quality. Because it has front ventilation and it’s height is 32.8 inches it is able to be built in under a counter. You can also use the unit as a free standing unit too.

It has it’s own removable bin which is able to store ice up to 25lb. The door is stainless steel and is reversible so you can choose if you want it opening from the right side or left side. The machine will also shut off when the ice bin is full.

To use this ice machine it is recommended that only filtered or purified water is used, this will increase it’s life span. If other waters are used it is recommended that the machine is cleaned every other week with with citric acid, which will prevent mineral build up.

(5)- Sunpentown IM-150US Undercounter Ice Maker with Stainless Steel Door

The Sunpentown IM-150US is designed to give you an easy ice making experience. It is made with a stainless steel door, and can produce 12lbs of ice daily. The ice is crescent shaped.

The compact size of this ice maker means that it can fit very easily under most counters. It is a great companion for your office home, bar, RV or boat. It has its own small 6lb freezer compartment which allows you to store ice.

When the ice storage compartment is full the machine will also shut off, therefore saving you money as well. The unit is kept vented via a front exhaust fan. The design will compliment a free standing set up or a built in set up.

You should seek assistance from a professional when installing this unit as you should when installing any ice maker.

We hope you have been enlightened by the different ice machine options that you have. You can search through our reviews and find even more options if you’re still undecided.

A U-liner ice maker is the epitome of style, product design and quality. The company is an up-scale undercounter refrigeration products manufacturer based in North America founded in 1962, by Henry Uihlein.

Uihlein was the first to patent and manufacture an automatic undercounter stand- alone residential icer maker.

U-line has also been first to introduce a combination fridge and ice maker in 1971. They made the first portable ice maker and first 12v DC mobile ice maker.

Today the company has a range of products which include combinations of ice makers, refrigerators, freezers, and wine storage systems.

In 1998 U-Line were responsible for designing and developing the CLR60 clear ice maker, which was able to make more than 60lbs of clear ice cubes per day at time.

(1)- CLR2160S-00 U-Line 2000 Series Undercounter Clear Ice Maker – No Pump – Stainless Steel – Right Hinged

U-line is all about class and the CLR2160S-00 doesn’t disappoint. The ice it makes are shaped elegantly and it makes clear ice cubes. It has the best production in the clear ice industry as it uses cutting edge technology.

You can make upto 60lbs of ice with this machine on a daily basis. It is also possible to store half the ice you make, as it stores upto 30lbs of ice.

The styling of this machine can’t be denied with it’s black exterior, it is also made with stainless steel, so you can rest assured that it will last you a long time.

It’s door is hinged from the right – so if this fits your needs then it’s the perfect machine. It’s also the quietest machine in its class and uses touch screen controls. A heavy duty ice scoop is also included.

(2)- BI2115S-00 U-Line 2000 Series Undercounter Ice Maker – Right Hinged – Stainless Steel

When you look into the features of the BI2115S00 you will be pleasantly surprised. The Echelon series from U-line takes luxury literally.

The machine can use less than 3 gallons of water to produce 25lbs of ice and if you need this stored it has that covered too.

The design is graceful and elegant both on the exterior and it’s interior.

There is no drain required when using this machine as it is very effecient. It has a manual frost and sports a stainless steel handle which is of commercial standard for longevity.

(3)- U-Line BI98B00 Ice Maker

The U-Line BI98B00 has a compact intelligent design, it offers streamlined styling and it is also compliant with the ADA.

U-line brought us the worlds first built in undercounter residential and light commercial ice machine and it maintains it’s leading position with the U-Line BI98B00.

The machine does not require a drain, which makes installation inexpensive and convenient. The water line requires a 1/4 inches around the diameter water line connection.

You can make 25lbs of ice daily and also store the same amount, so nothing goes to waste.

The efficiency of this machine is also impeccable as it is able to make 22lbs of ice with just 3 gallons of water. This is all done with minimal use of water and electricity.

The height also meets the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) height requirements.

These are some of the top U-line machines that we could find for you. If you visit our shop here you should be able to find more to choose from.