Top 4 Portable Ice Makers For Camping

Top 4 Portable Ice Makers For Camping

Camping has not simmered down with the arrival of the dog days of summer. A cold, refreshing drink always does the trick to cool down and continue enjoying the great outdoors.  For this reason, RVers make sure to stock up on ice before taking off on a little getaway.  

However, using the traditional ice cube trays and bags of ice from the convenience store are becoming a practice of the past as campers are turning towards gadgets like ice makers to provide an ample supply of ice cubes to last throughout their stay. 

The benefits of portable ice makers

Ice makers, more notably portable ice makers, have a variety of benefits to RVers.  These compact, easy-to-use appliances continually produce a lot of ice cubes in a matter of minutes, provided water is in the reservoir.

Gone are the days of waiting hours for the ice to freeze in cube trays and making multiple trips to the closest store to stock up on ice bags.  Portable ice makers are the way to go to avoid unnecessary interruptions when camping with family and friends. 

What to look for in a portable ice maker

With so many portable ice makers on the market, however, how do you know which one is the best fit for you and your needs? Kristen Hicks, a writer for Compact Appliances, explained that there are many features to look at when deciding upon a portable ice maker.  These include appliance size and capacity, speed of ice production, cost, ease of use, and durability.

Regarding the durability of the gadget, she mentioned,

“The best way to gain an idea of how long you can expect your portable ice maker to last is to read the reviews. People will complain if their model doesn’t last long enough to satisfy, and many also take the time to praise a machine that works without problem for a decent amount of time.”

Keeping these factors in check, the following is a list of quality portable ice makers to consider if you are wanting to make the switch.  Each appliance has a key feature that sets it apart from any run-of-the-mill ice maker and makes it a top pick, especially with campers in mind.

1. IKICH Portable Ice Maker Machine

Compact and lightweight

• Nine chewable, bullet-shaped ice cubes are produced in 6 minutes.
• The appliance has the capability of making up to 26 pounds of ice in 24 hours.
• The water reservoir holds up to two liters of water.
• IKICH is rated energy-efficient and operates at low noise levels (recorded at less than 45dB).
• It measures 8. 7 x 12. 3 x 12. 6 inches, so it is compact. It takes up little counter space and can be stored in an RV cupboard.
• It weighs 17.36 pounds.
• Operating the machine is a cinch. After adding water, press the power button and select the ice size. An indicator lights up on the control panel if and when the ice has reached capacity or more water is needed in the reservoir.
• Cleanup is easy. Use the drain outlet located at the bottom of the portable ice maker to empty the reservoir and wipe the inside dry.
• Users can view ice production from the convenient top window.

Rick Makes shared this in-depth review of the IKICH Portable Ice Maker in this Youtube video:

2. Igloo Automatic Self-Cleaning Portable Electric Countertop Ice Maker Machine With Handle

Convenient handle

• Nine small or large cylinder-shaped ice cubes are produced in 7 minutes.
• The appliance has the capability of making up to 26 pounds of ice in 24 hours.
• The water reservoir holds up to two quarts of water.
• It measures 12.2 x 9.06 x 12.8 inches and weighs a little over 19 pounds.
• An attached handle makes it easy to transport the Igloo wherever you need it, inside or outside.
• Similar to the IKICH, operating the Igloo is simple. Use the control panel to select an ice cube size, know when to add more water, and know when the ice basket is full.
• The Igloo is self-cleaning with its automatic 5-cycle cleaning function.
• Users can view ice production from the window on the lid.

3. NewAir Portable Ice Maker, 50 lb. Capacity

Large capacity

• A batch of ice is produced in 7 minutes.
• The NewAir has the capability of making up to 50 pounds of ice in a day which is ideal for supplying ample ice for large get-togethers.
• It measures 15.75 x 13.58 x 13.7 inches and weighs 21.6 pounds.
• Use the control panel to ensure continuous ice cubes for you and your guests–see when the ice is full or more water is needed.
• The NewAir has a self-cleaning function. A drainage outlet is located on the side of the unit.
• Users can view ice production from the window on the top of the ice maker.

4. NutriChef Ice Maker and Dispenser

Two-in-one

• Unlike the previous portable ice makers, the NutriChef is more for campers that use ice occasionally. One batch of cubes is produced in 9 minutes.
• The control panel allows you to dispense cold water and/or ice cubes into your glass.
• It measures 12.21 x 12.21 x 13.78 inches and weighs 25.4 pounds.
• The NutriChef has the ability to connect directly to a water supply as opposed to manually pouring in water.

Finding the best portable ice maker for you

Every RVer has their own needs and preferences when it comes to camping essentials. Choosing the right portable ice maker can take a bit of research on your part.

If you are looking to get more suggestions or feedback on particular portable ice makers for camping purposes, glimpse customer reviews on Amazon or check out RVer online forums like iRV2.

iRV2 is a place where RVers can share stories and information on their experience with all things RVing and camping. This includes using products like portable ice makers.

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