A portable clear ice maker provides users with a quick, crisp ice-cold water and fresh ice cubes anywhere they go. Most portable ice makers are fast and efficient while providing a high-quality product.
When looking at the size and versatility of a portable ice maker you may wonder if you need to turn your machine off when you don’t need ice.
Should you leave your portable clear ice maker on? What will happen if you have it plugged in when you don’t need ice? Let’s talk about it.
Can You Leave Your Portable Clear Ice Maker On?
While a portable machine is smaller than a standard ice machine, and makes ice quickly, it can be left on and plugged in for extended use.
A portable machine is made to be easy to take from place to place, but is just as efficient and strong running as a larger machine. It can run for quite some time without stopping as long as it has a supply of water.
A portable clear ice maker has water reservoirs that hold and cycle water through the ice making system. The water reservoir is located in the lower part of the machine under the ice bucket or ice bin. As ice melts, the resulting water is drained down into the reservoir and brought back up for continued ice making.
The machine can run continuously and remain plugged in as long as it has enough water for the ice production process When the ice machine runs low on water, the ice machine’s pump will work harder and the machine will wear faster.
If the machine runs completely dry, the best machines will turn off, but only after considerable use of the machine’s water pump. It is more important to make sure your machine has enough water than it is to worry about leaving your portable clear ice maker on.
What To Know When Your Machine Is Running
If your portable or countertop ice maker has been running for an extended period of time and begins to make a whirring or whining sound, do not panic. Your ice maker is likely to be low on water.
When the water level in the machine runs low the machine’s pump has to work harder to try and collect up any water it can find in the reservoir. This may lead to extra noise from the machine.
The best way to fix a whining machine is to add more water to the machine’s reservoir. If your ice machine continues making noise after adding water, you may want to perform a routine cleaning to check for any broken or damaged parts.
If you are worried about your ice machine overflowing with ice, it’s safe to relax. Quality portable ice makers work by being equipped with a sensor that tells the machine to stop creating ice when the ice bin is full.
You can leave your machine running and it will only create ice when there is room in the freezer for more ice. This way, you can always have a glass of ice water.
When Should You Turn Off Your Portable Clear Ice Maker?
If you will be gone for an extended time and not needing ice-cold water, it is a good idea to turn off and unplug your machine.
A portable ice maker work by creating ice for immediate use. If you know that you will not be needing ice regularly for an extended period of time, it is in your machine’s best interest to turn off and unplug the machine.
Leaving your ice machines on when you are not around could lead to the machine running with low water levels. This creates wear and tear on the machine.
The machine also uses electricity when being run. You can save money and energy by unplugging it when are not making ice.
If you know you will be away or not using ice, it is best to unplug your machine, drain and wipe it down, and store it in a safe dry space. It is also best if the portable ice maker is fully emptied before transporting it from place to place such as from home to parties or on trips.
How Do I Restart My Ice Machine After Turning it Off?
If you turn off and store your portable clear ice maker you will want to take a few simple steps when you are ready to make fresh ice again.
- Wipe down the machine. Check all parts for cleanliness. Keep an eye out for any mold or build-up that may have grown if the machine was not entirely dry when stored.
- Plug in the machine and add water.
- Run one test cycle to check the ice for clarity and smooth, quiet machine operation.
- Make and enjoy fresh a glass of ice water!