Ice-making capacity
Consider the amount of ice used: Determine the amount of ice needed based on the usage scenario and the number of people. For daily home use, 20-50 pounds of ice per day may be sufficient; if used in commercial places, such as bars, restaurants, etc., you need to choose an ice maker with a stronger ice-making capacity of 80 pounds or even higher per day.
Ice-making speed: Ice-making speed is also an important factor. Generally speaking, the shorter the ice-making cycle, the greater the amount of ice made per unit time, which can meet the ice demand more promptly. For example, some ice makers can complete an ice-making cycle every 15-20 minutes, while others may take 30 minutes or more.
Ice shape and quality
Ice shape: Different shapes of ice are suitable for different purposes. Common ones include cube ice, granular ice, crushed ice, etc. Cube ice is suitable for refrigerating beverages and making cocktails; granular ice is often used to make cold drinks such as smoothies and shaved ice due to its smaller size and rapid cooling effect; crushed ice is more suitable for seafood preservation.
Ice quality: The ice produced by a high-quality ice maker should be highly transparent, odorless, and of moderate hardness. This depends on factors such as the ice maker's refrigeration system, evaporator material, and water quality. For example, an ice maker with an efficient compressor and a high-quality evaporator can make the ice more crystal clear, pure, and odorless.
Dimensions and installation
Measure the installation space: Before purchasing, be sure to accurately measure the space under the kitchen counter to ensure that the ice maker can be perfectly installed in it, and reserve enough space for ventilation and maintenance.
Inlet and outlet pipes and power cords: Pay attention to the location and length of the inlet and outlet pipes and power cords of the ice maker to ensure that they can be easily connected to the water source and power socket to avoid the need for additional extension cords or water pipes due to insufficient length, which affects the appearance and safety of use.
Functions and configurations
Automatic cleaning function: The ice machine with automatic cleaning function can automatically clean the internal evaporator, sink and other parts regularly, effectively remove scale and dirt, reduce bacterial growth, extend the service life of the ice machine, and also save users time and energy for cleaning.
Timing function: The timing function allows users to set the time and quantity of ice making in advance according to their own needs, so that they can get ice cubes in time when they need them, improving the convenience of use.
Water shortage reminder and ice full shutdown: When the ice machine is short of water, it can send a reminder in time to avoid damage to the machine due to water shortage; when the ice cubes in the ice box reach the set capacity, the ice machine automatically stops making ice to prevent Stop ice from overflowing, saving energy and reducing the cleaning trouble caused by ice accumulation.
Adjustable ice thickness: By adjusting the thickness of ice, you can meet the needs of different users for ice size. For example, thinner ice may be needed when making smoothies, while thicker ice can be used for refrigerated beverages.
Quality
Check user reviews: You can learn about the advantages and disadvantages of different brands and models of ice makers by checking user reviews on online shopping platforms, professional product reviews, and consulting other users' usage experience, so as to make a more informed purchase decision.
After-sales service: Good after-sales service is one of the important factors to consider when purchasing an ice maker. Make sure the brand provides comprehensive after-sales service, including warranty period, repair service, customer service support, etc., so that problems encountered during use can be solved in a timely manner.