Top Brands of Ice Making Machines | Best Portable Ice Maker
Ice will never go out of fashion. It’s been many years since ice was first sawed into large blocks and sent to people who were struggling to keep cool because they were living in warmer weather that they were not accustomed to. We owe thanks to an American named Frederic Tudor who saw commercial value in ice at the turn of the 19th century, and who, along with his brother earned a small fortune by shipping ice abroad to colonists in the Caribbean and India. After this, it didn’t take long for the idea of ice in drinks to catch on.
Frederic Tudor used natural ice, and while ice production methods have changed drastically over the years, people’s needs have not. If anything, the need for ice has increased, and people have become far pickier about the type of ice they want. There were various ways in which people tried to produce ice for themselves in the past, but all these methods involved a lot of time and effort. That is, until the invention of the modern-day ice machines.
Ice machines are for everyone. Whether you want a drink for yourself, your friends or even need enough ice to serve drinks to many thirsty customers… there is an ice machine out there that caters to your every need. It is often quite difficult to sift through the many products and brands available to us, and therefore we have shortlisted a few of the best brands of ice makers on the market today.
Scotsman Ice Machines
With over 50 years of first class innovation behind then, it is no surprise that Scotsman Ice Systems have earned their place on many ice machine top 10 lists. They are a company committed to constantly improving their systems, making them more user-friendly and affordable to the public. They constantly have the needs of the customer in mind when adding to their 300+ existing units.
If you want an ice machine that does not need to be constantly supervised, then a Scotsman machine will be a great buy. It has many inbuilt sensors and quality trackers that signal when your machine needs a more attention and maintenance. It comes with a great warranty, and most of its air operated compressors have the Energy Star qualification (66 types of machines) that helps you save on your bills and reduces your carbon footprint. This brand is known for very efficient customer care, technical support, and the machine maintenance is usually so minimal that it can be done by anyone with a basic DIY knowledge.
Manitowok Ice Machines
This American brand has done so much to harness technology that its computerized systems are truly second to none. They offer a wide range of products including countertop, under counter, remote and modular versions of their popular ice machines. In 2015 they were recognized for ‘Energy Star Sustained Excellence’, which means that they are also an environment friendly choice.
Even though they do have larger designs, they are most popular for their smaller household machines. They work well for people who have restrictions with floor space. With the introduction of the NEO Manitowok under counter ice makers, the company upped their standards to become leaders in the industry, and gained the trust of many households and many smaller businesses. So, if you are looking for a smaller, reliable machine, going with Manitowok is a very safe bet.
Ice-o-Matic Ice Machines
The brand Ice-o-Matic prides itself in producing ‘Ice, Pure and Simple’ as promised in their tagline. They just produce great ice, minus the extraneous additions that some other ice machines come with. The simplicity of these machines put them in a league of their own, appealing to the genuine ice experts who look beyond the fancy trimmings and want to see top quality ice produced.
This means that these machines are some of the most value for money ice machines, as they continually concentrate on giving you more ice for what you pay, not better technology. Their machines are also covered by the longest warranties in the industry. All their machines come equipped with antibacterial compounds which prevent scale buildup and ensure that the ice you get is only made available to you in its purest form. Their Harvest Assist feature pushes the ice out with the aid of a simple pin, allowing the ice to reach you in the quickest time possible. So if you are looking for clean, simple ice, Ice-o-Matic is the brand for you!
EdgeStar Ice Machines
Both EdgeStar and Koldfront are two very recognizable names in the ice maker industry, and both belong to the Living Direct parent company. They provide great options for people who live a fast-paced life, and want machines to be user-friendly and compact. They specialize in making portable and under counter machines, and they make them available at great prices too!
Their products come in various shapes and sizes, and most of them have stainless steel bodies that will look stunning in any space they are placed in. They also try to increase the speed at which they produce ice at, with ice sometimes taking less than 10 minutes to reach the drinks for which they were intended. If you are looking for a portable ice maker with consistent and speedy results, EdgeStar is sure to have the machine for you.
Hoshizaki
The company Hoshizaki was first established in Japan in 1947, and it saw the invention of its first ice machine in 1965. Since then the company has gained popularity as being one of the premium luxury ice maker brands, selling over a million ice make machines to over one hundred countries worldwide.
The Hoshizaki machine produces fewer types of ice, but the quality of ice makes up for this lack of variety. It can produce cubed, flaked and top hat ice, but they get their name for the clear crescent shaped ice their machines are known to produce. This ice makes these machines popular choices for high end restaurant and bar owners. If you want great ice for commercial reasons, Hoshizaki would be a good match for you.