Portable Ice Makers

By: Raechelle Janzen – RVRepairNOW.com

     One of the things we seem to miss the most when we are out traveling in our travel trailer is having an ice maker. I know it seems like something simple, but sometimes those are the kinds of things that one misses the most when away from home. It can be inconvenient, when you go make yourself something to drink and you don’t have an endless supply of ice like you have in your home’s kitchen. Of course, you can just fill ice trays with water or you can make a trip to buy leaky bags of ice like you have always done in the past. But, if you use your RV frequently, a portable ice maker unit may be something you want to consider buying.

Features

     Today there are a variety of portable ice makers on the market that can make all the ice you might need. They can make 15lb to 40lbs or more of ice a day, depending which model you purchase. This is much more than the average person could use in a day’s time. These ice makers are very efficient and compact enough to sit on a countertop. All you need to do is add tap or bottled water and then plug it into a standard wall outlet. They start making ice in a short period of time – most units in about ten to fifteen minutes. You can get ice makers with modern LED and touch pad controls or simpler models with just basic features. A few ice maker units can also operate on batteries so you can take them to picnics, tailgating, boating, your kid’s sporting events, or maybe a backyard barbeque or party. It is a good idea to make sure the portable ice maker has a water filter built into it to help not only with the taste of the ice but to also prevent hard water problems with the unit.

Prior to Purchase

     Before you purchase your portable ice maker consider how much ice you will actually need and how much space you have for the unit. Another important factor to consider is where it will be stored during travel. Keep in mind that you can also use it at home as an extra source of ice when needed as well as using it in your RV. Portable ice makers are made by many different manufacturers and come in many colors and different features to fit your needs. Some units can produce a lot more ice than others so it is important to research specific models prior to buying so that you get the proper one for you. The least expensive units can run about $130. For about $200, you can find a pretty decent capacity ice maker that would fit most needs. There are units well above the $200 level as well.

Where to Purchase

     You can purchase portable ice making units in such stores like Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Target and several online outlets. Also, check the camping supply department of sporting goods stores as well as RV supply outlets. Wal-Mart currently has units made by Igloo, Haier, Oster and Magic Chef and others. Their prices run from $129 up to $244 depending on the manufacturer and features you prefer.

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