A countertop ice maker works by dipping cold prongs into the freezer tray that is filled with water from the storage tank and this forms ice cubes.
When you are searching for an ice maker, there will be many choices available to choose from and it may be difficult to choose one.
Countertop ice makers work by pumping water from a tank and then forming ice cubes around prongs that are dipped into this water, which makes them a very convenient choice if they suit your needs.
What to consider when buying an ice maker
Ice makers and ice machines can be exceptionally convenient appliances to have when you are entertaining, or even for everyday use. However, there are so many brands, types, and sizes available that the choices can become overwhelming.
Experts suggest that what you should focus on before anything else, is the amount of ice that you need your ice machine to produce and the amount of space that you have available to store the ice maker.
This will help you narrow down your choices initially and then you can focus on other features from there to find the most suitable ice maker for your needs.
How does a countertop ice maker work?
As a result of the wide range of ice makers and ice machines that are available on the market, the way each type of ice maker works may differ slightly from the next.
When it comes to countertop ice makers, the way that the ice is made can be explained in a few simple steps, as follows:
| Step in the process | Description |
| Step 1: The water is added to the tank | Since countertop ice makers do not have a waterline, you need to fill up the reservoir or tank manually directly from the faucet or with a jug or bucket |
| Step 2: The water is pumped into the freeze tray | Once you turn the ice maker on, it will pump the water from the tank to the freeze tray |
| Step 3: Prongs are lowered into the water | The ice maker then lowers the prongs into this freeze tray with water. These prongs are connected to an evaporator or heat exchanger, and they get very cold |
| Step 4: Ice cubes form and are dropped | The water in the freeze tray then forms ice cubes around these prongs and once the cubes are big enough, they fall off automatically |
The remaining water is drained from the freeze tray and the system shuts down until it needs to produce ice again.
Once you understand how a countertop ice maker makes its ice, it is easier to understand the benefits of having such a machine in your home.
It is also important that you know whether having a countertop ice maker will be the ideal option for your home, or whether you should consider a different type of ice makers instead.
If a countertop ice maker is the right choice for your needs, it is crucial that you look at a range of popular models so that you can choose the one that is the best of the best for you.
The benefits of countertop ice makers
The main reason why people end up choosing a countertop or portable ice maker over another type of ice maker is the convenience of this kind of appliance.
As the name suggests, you can move your ice maker to any space where it can be plugged in, which gives you more freedom when it comes to entertaining and storage.
However, this convenience extends to the way that the countertop ice maker function. These machines do almost everything automatically, which makes them easy and safe to use and they produce ice quickly.
When is a countertop ice maker the ideal choice?
Countertop ice makers are the ideal choice for families that have several entertainment spaces in their homes. They are easy to use, which means that people of all ages can get ice from the machine if and when they need it.
Furthermore, countertop ice makers do not need to be connected to a waterline and they can work in any space, as long as they can be plugged into a power outlet.
The best countertop ice makers
If you have considered the way countertop ice makers work and this type of ice maker is the ideal choice for your needs, then some of the best models to look at include:
| Countertop ice maker | Price | Customer rating | Available on Amazon |
| SOOPYK Countertop Ice Maker Machine | $109.99 | 4.3 out of 5 from 661 reviews |  |
| Newair Silver Counter Top Ice Maker Machine | $253.17 | 4.2 out of 5 from 956 reviews |  |
| Frigidaire EFIC103-AMZ-SC Counter Top Maker | $169.99 | 4.2 out of 5 from 3382 reviews |  |