Portable ice maker

rtaylor0830 wrote:
Does anyone use portable ice makers to keep ice in there coolers just wondering if this is a realistic option.

If you purchase one - make sure it's from a retailer with a good return policy.
You may think it's great.....or *not* so great.

Most (if not all) are mfg by the same Chinese company and badged with whatever brand name/s for the various retailers.
Problem (IMO) is the cubes are not very frozen.

If that's OK with you - (put cubes in the 'real' freezer or use "as is") - any of 'em should do the job.

~

We use ours - usually set up outside, and usually to keep the beer/soda cooler cold. In the Spring and Fall it keeps up nicely, but in hot weather we have to supplement with store bought ice from time to time. Like others of said, you can bag it and put it into the freezer to "harden" it up as the icemaker is not a freezer, just a cooler .....

We tend to boondock more than camp with hook-ups but we just returned from a trip where we stayed in a campground with hook-ups for a month. We got a portable ice maker just for times like this but found that we used it only once during the month. We used the frig and very little ice. My DW said it takes up too much space on the counter.

The portable ice makers are good, I have a small one, its good for a few adults but runs out. I still buy bagged ice, but I do use the ice maker at the same time. The made ice is just not good for some drinks (like anything with blended ice.)

Every time I see a post about portable ICE MAKERS I realize how handy they would be with our OFF-ROAD camping style. When we setup back off the trail somewhere I have to run back to civilization every couple of days to get fresh ice and meats for the grill.

My off-road trailer has the perfect spot on the front deck to add something like this as well. I have n the past brought along the desk height dorm type extra fridge which worked out great since some of those are dual voltage 120VAC and 12VDC.


One of these days I am going to make spot for one - just makes good sense... We presently live out of the five-day ice chest in the back of the truck bed which works out great but having more ice available would help this situation big time as well...


Roy Ken

Use ours when we are on vacation. With an outside kitchen refrigerator coupled with the inside fridge we have not taken a ice chest camping in 5 years. A huge plus to an outside kitchen with a 4+ cubic ft fridge. When on vacation at the beach I need ice to bring the beverages to the beach during the day. Make ice throughout day and put in freezer. No need to buy bagged ice ever.

I see they had them for $99 here in town this week

Portable Ice machines are great. I never buy ice at the CG anymore.

We have had one for 5 years now. Would not be with out one. We use a lot of ice and it keeps us supplied.

Working on our second one. The first one lasted four years. Wouldn't travel without it.

Watch for them to be on sale at Target.com. Just over $100 and exactly the same unit that CW sells for $249.

At the price of bagged ice, I figure $25 per year is a deal and I don't have to go get the ice.

A while back the ice maker in the house quit without warning. I brought the portable in and set it up on the kitchen counter for two days. (The one in the big fridge started working again before we could get a service appointment.)