6 best ice generators

Ice maker is necessary for the continuous production of ice cubes. This is necessary if you often drink drinks with ice or constantly receive guests. Moreover, such a device is needed if you have your own bar or cafe. Ice generators are able to create ice of different types, in large quantities or small, they are of different sizes and capacities. How to choose the best ice generator from this variety? We have assembled the highest quality and productive models especially for you, so that it will be easier for you to decide.

How to choose the best ice maker

Ice machine - a device that you need to choose. The choice will depend not only on your needs, but also on the purpose you want to give the model. For home, cottage, office or business use of ice maker need different devices. Therefore, we have compiled a list of recommendations that will help you decide on an option.

1. Determine what exactly you need an icemaker for. If you often drink cocktails or chilled drinks, you will need an average performance model. If you only occasionally need to freeze a portion of ice - it is better to buy a low-power and inexpensive generator. Productive and fast ice maker will be needed if you open a cafe or bar - the load on the device will be completely different, like the need for ice. Therefore, it is important to immediately decide why you need a device.
2. See what types of ice the appliance generates.. Modern ice generators are capable of producing ice of several forms: cubic, finger, flake, granular. There are also models that produce non-standard types of ice - figured, spherical or hemispherical, and so on. Scaly and granulated ice can not be added to drinks and alcohol, it is designed to store food in the display cases and quickly cool the bottles.
3. Decide what performance you need.. You need to estimate how much ice you need and for how long. Based on this, choose performance. The higher it is, the more ice there will be in less time. But the cost of "fast" device will be more expensive. So if you drink iced tea once a day, you do not need a generator that can freeze 100 cubes per hour.
4. Learn what cooling the ice machine uses. Devices can be water and air. The former use water to cool the chamber and freeze the ice. They spend less electricity, take up little space and can be built into different surfaces. But they consume a lot of water, require connection to the sewage system and cost more. Air is cheaper, easier to install, they can be put anywhere. But they take up more space (they can not be leaned against the wall, you need at least 50-70 cm of space) and require frequent cleaning of capacitors.
5. If you need a small ice maker, Look at the filler models. These are the simplest models that do not require connection to the sewage system and plumbing. They produce a small amount of ice and consume only a little electricity. This generator is ideal for home or mini-bar.
6. See where the ice will be stored. There are two options - a built-in bunker of a small volume or a portable drive in models designed to freeze more than 100-150 kilograms of ice per day.In the first case (as a rule, these are all home models and options for cafes) it is important to turn off the appliance in time or empty the bunker - it is quickly filled with ice.
7. Determine where you want to install the device.. There are models for embedding or installation on the floor or table. It is only important that you are able to bring all the necessary communications to the selected place.
8. Take a closer look at the design of the model. If the ice maker for you is not only a way to get a few cubes of frozen water, but also a part of the interior, you should take a closer look at models with a colorful design. If he will stand in a far corner in a cafe or bar, the appearance of the device is not critical.
9. If there is hard water in your area, get the ice generator with water softener. This device is necessary so that the generator can work longer. Hard water spoils the "insides" of the generator, leaves precipitation. In addition, it is simply harmful to drink, even in frozen form.

Actually, these recommendations are enough to choose the best icemaker for home, office, summer house or small business. By choosing the right device, you will not overpay and get a device whose power you will miss.

Top ice generator rating

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
Top ice generator rating	1	GASTRORAG IM-50	42 170 ₽
	2	CASO IceMaster Ecostyle	18 590 ₽
	3	PROFI COOK PC-EWB 1079	22 990 ₽
	4	Clatronic EWB 3526	20 990 ₽
	5	Gastrorag DB-02	12 990 ₽
	6	Gemlux GL-IM-88 2 L	13 990 ₽

GASTRORAG IM-50

Rating: 4.9

High-performance model that creates finger ice. During the day, the icemaker is able to freeze up to 50 kilograms of ice, therefore, it is well suited for popular bars and cafes. The ice machine is cooled through the air, so it is important to give it space. Conveniently, the device has indicators of filling the bunker and the lack of water. He will signal if he needs something, so skip the problem will not work.

The device has received a strong and reliable metal stainless steel case. This will allow him to work for a long time even on the most active production, without breaking. But because of the material, the icemaker weighs 47 kilograms. The device is quite large - 54x61x82 cm, so it is better to install it on the floor. The model has a built-in bunker at 13 kilograms. Unfortunately, the generator can make only one type of ice in one size - fingers 27 mm thick and 42 mm high. So diversify the "ice menu" does not work, and all drinks will go with ice of the same shape and size.

CASO IceMaster Ecostyle

Rating: 4.8

Small compact ice maker with low productivity. Ideal for home, small bars and cafes, makes up to 12 kilograms of ice per day. The ice generator works very quickly - it freezes one portion of ice in 6-13 minutes. The finished product is stored in a small bunker for one portion. On the lid there is a viewing window - through it you will be able to observe the process of freezing. The ice machine is made of metal and plastic in a chic modern design, it is compact and lightweight - only 24x34x35 cm and weighs 9.3 kilograms. So you can put it on the table or the bar, without fear for the integrity of the latter. A big plus is good thermal insulation. Ice in the bunker may lie and not melt for several hours.

The ice generator is a flood type, so it is important to maintain the water level. The tank is only 1.7 liters, but the indication of water shortage will allow you to not forget about the timely replenishment. The device turns off automatically after preparing a portion of ice and beeps loudly, attracting the attention of the host. I am glad that the generator is capable of producing ice of two sizes, but only of one type - finger type.

PROFI COOK PC-EWB 1079

Rating: 4.7

Another mini ice maker for office, home or small cafe.It is able to produce up to 15 kilograms of finger ice per day. One portion of ice freezes in 10 minutes. Up to 1.7 liters of water is placed in the tank, and if it is not enough for operation, the device begins to squeak and demand to add liquid. The generator also reports when the container under the ice is full. In fact, this generator is slightly better than the previous rating model. But it costs almost a third more expensive and does not look so gorgeous.

The device is made by filler type. Therefore, it does not require connection to plumbing or sanitary. The ice machine is so compact and convenient that it can be taken even to the nature. Provided that you find where to connect it to the power supply. It weighs only 10 kilograms and has dimensions of 28x36x39 cm. Combined housing made of metal and plastic. In the lid there is a viewing window to control the freezing of ice.

Clatronic EWB 3526

Rating: 4.6

An interesting model for home or office. The capacity of the ice maker is up to 15 kilograms per day, it makes up to 9 ice cubes in 10 minutes. Pleases a large capacity for water - 2.2 liters, which is 500 ml more than the previous two models. It needs to be filled less often than the previous ones. This will allow you to not worry about the amount of ice and maintenance of the device. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to take it to the nature - the model is designed only for indoor work.

Ice maker bulk, so you need to monitor the amount of water in the tank. The model has three indicators - occupancy, lack of water and work. The ice maker is more expensive than the CASO IceMaster Ecostyle, which is similar in functionality. But due to the increased volume of the water tank and the increased bunker this can be forgiven. The device is quite compact and will find a place on any table or bar - it weighs 10 kilograms and has dimensions of 24.5x33x37 cm. But the design pumped up - the ice maker looks more like an inexpensive bread maker than anything else.

Gastrorag DB-02

Rating: 4.5

The younger brother of the ice generator leader of our rating. This model is designed for home or office use, suitable for a small cafe. The device is able to freeze up to 15 kilograms of ice in 24 hours, up to 9 cubes in 10 minutes. It is a flood ice generator that produces ice of traditional cubic shape in two sizes. The device has a small water tank - only 1.5 liters. So it will often have to replenish stocks. The bunker fits up to a kilogram of ice.

The ice machine received a stainless steel hull and a cover with a viewing window. We were pleased that there are carrying handles on the sides, which is convenient. Despite the usual performance for a home generator, this model is larger and heavier - it weighs 13 kilograms and has dimensions of 30.5x35x36 cm. So, it may be too heavy for your table, and you will have to look for a more reliable place. The design also let us down - the icemaker looks unattractive, resembling rather an industrial model. But the model turned out cheap and affordable, which is a big plus.

Gemlux GL-IM-88 2 L

Rating: 4.4

And completing our rating is an inexpensive and efficient ice generator. The device has a capacity of up to 15 kg of ice per day. 10 minutes inside can freeze up to 9 pieces. A great advantage of the model is that it is capable of producing three sizes of finger ice at once. In the water tank fits 2.2 liters. 800 grams of ready fingers can be stored in the ice bin for several hours. The device reminds to add water if it ends, and reports a lack of water.

The model is quite large and heavy - it weighs 11 kilograms with dimensions of 25x36x33 cm. The design looks more like industrial ice makers, so it may not fit into modern kitchen. A serious advantage is the timer for switching on the ice generator. You can pour water into it and set the time when it starts freezing. And then at the appointed time you will have fresh ice in the bunker. Just do not forget to remove it.

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Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.