Imagine hosting a party. The drinks are flowing, but the ice bucket is empty! That’s a common headache. We all love cold drinks, but running out of ice at the worst moment is frustrating. Finding the perfect under-counter ice maker seems simple, but it quickly becomes confusing. Do you need nugget ice or clear cubes? How much space do you really have? These small choices make a big difference in your kitchen convenience.
Choosing the right machine involves balancing size, ice type, and budget. You want something reliable that fits neatly under your counter, not a bulky machine that causes headaches. This guide cuts through the noise. We will show you exactly what features matter most. By the end of this post, you will feel confident knowing which under-counter ice maker truly fits your lifestyle and kitchen setup.
Top Under Counter Ice Maker Recommendations
- High-Efficiency Under Counter Ice Maker:This commercial under counter ice maker machine produces up to 90 lbs of clear ice per day, delivering 40 ice cubes every 10–18 minutes. The 24 lb storage bin provides a reliable supply, making this ice maker commercial ideal for home kitchens, bars, restaurants, hotels, and cafés.
- Under Counter Ice Maker with Drain Pump :Unlike standard ice machines that rely on gravity drainage, this under counter ice maker features an electric drain pump for efficient water removal. This design helps keep the interior clean, extends the lifespan of the commercial ice machine, and allows flexible installation even without a floor drain.
- Compact Ice Machine for Built-In or Freestanding Use: With a built-in size of 14.96 × 18.47 × 33.99 inches (including adjustable feet), this ice maker under counter fits standard-height cabinets and bars. It can also be used as a freestanding ice maker, offering versatile placement for both residential and commercial spaces.
- Smart Control Ice Maker Machine :The intuitive LCD panel on this ice maker machine displays ambient temperature and allows you to adjust ice cube thickness by changing ice-making time. The 24-hour timer lets you schedule operation easily, improving convenience for daily use.
- Self-Cleaning Under Counter Ice Machine: This commercial ice maker includes a one-touch self-cleaning function—press and hold the “Timer Clean” button for 5 seconds to activate. A water supply is required. Keep the ice machine upright for 24 hours before first use. If the drain pump is disconnected or not in use, empty the ice bin in advance.
- HIGH CAPACITY & FAST ICE MAKING – Designed for heavy-duty usage, this commercial ice maker produces up to 100 lbs of ice per 24 hours, crafting 45 clear ice cubes per cycle in just 11-15 minutes. It features a large built-in storage bin holding 33 lbs of ice, ensuring you never run out during peak hours. The automatic overflow prevention system guarantees safe operation, making it perfect for large families, parties, or commercial settings.
- ETL CERTIFIED FOR COMMERCIAL & HOME USE – Safety and quality are paramount. Unlike standard units, the EUHOMY ice maker is ETL certified for both household and commercial applications. Its versatile design allows it to be used in indoor/outdoor kitchens, restaurants, bars, hotels, or grocery stores. Whether you are hosting a backyard BBQ or running a coffee shop, this machine delivers reliable performance.
- INTUITIVE LCD CONTROL PANEL – Take full control with the smart LCD display. It allows you to monitor the ambient temperature and adjust the ice-making time to customize the thickness of your ice cubes—thin for smoothies or thick for drinks. The panel also features a one-touch Automatic Cleaning function, simplifying maintenance and ensuring your ice is always fresh and hygienic.
- EFFICIENT COOLING & QUIET OPERATION – Equipped with a powerful yet quiet compressor, this under-counter ice machine creates ice efficiently without disrupting your environment. The advanced energy-saving technology helps reduce electricity consumption, lowering your operating costs over time. The stainless steel construction not only looks professional but also provides durability and effective heat dissipation.
- INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE TIPS – This unit utilizes Gravity Drainage (requires a floor drain or gravity outlet; strictly no pump included). Please ensure the drain hose is positioned lower than the machine specifically for optimal drainage. IMPORTANT: Before first use, keep the machine upright for at least 24 hours to let the refrigerant settle. We recommend running the self-cleaning cycle twice before consuming the first batch of ice.
- Advanced & Fast Ice Making: Our commercial under counter ice maker machine can produce 90 lbs of ice in 24 hours, providing 40 clear ice cubes every 10-18 minutes for you and your family. The 24 lb storage container ensures a constant supply of ice, meeting all your daily ice needs for your home, restaurant, bar, or hotel.
- Compact Design: The built-in design with dimensions of 14.96 x 18.47 x 33.99 inches (including adjustable feet) makes it perfect for any standard height kitchen or bar counter, while also allowing the ice maker to be used as a standalone unit.
- Reversible Door & Cold Insulation: The stainless steel ice maker machine door with a handle can be installed with left or right hinges, allowing you to choose the opening direction according to your needs. The 3-layer housing material ensures longer-lasting ice cubes, preventing them from melting quickly.
- Smart LCD Control Panel & Customizable Ice Thickness: The multifunctional control panel displays the ambient temperature and allows you to adjust the ice cube size by changing the ice-making time. The 24-hour timer function lets you set the machine to start or stop running at your convenience.
- Easy-to-Clean & Prolonged Life: The self-cleaning function, activated by pressing the "Timer Clean" button for 5 seconds, helps maintain the ice maker's efficiency and longevity. We recommend cleaning the machine regularly according to usage. The ice maker requires a water supply . Be sure to keep the machine upright for at least 24 hours before using it.
- Rapid & Large Ice Production: Our ice maker can produce 100lbs clear ice cubes one day, the average ice making time for each cycle just taking 8 to 16mins, which means that the under counter ice maker can meet your demand for ice efficiently, and let you enjoy the tasty ice cubes easily
- Efficient & Adjustable Ice Cubes: Equipped with an efficient compressor and 3 layer insulation materials, the ice cubes that our under counter ice maker machine produce are clear and refresh, besides, you can also control the thickness of the ice cubes through the button to meet the need of various drinks, like smoothie/cocktail/whisky for daily use. These perfect cubes are ideal for bartending and home hosting
- Simple & User-friendly Design: Because of the LCD panel, there is no need to worry about the machine's operation, and the ice maker also have the reminder of water shortage and ice full, help you replenish water or remove ice cubes promptly, and the design of reversible door also give you the flexible choice to decide which direction to open the door. It comes with an ice scoop so you can easily fill a cup or grab a few cubes directly from the freezer
- Auto-cleaning & Timer Function: Considering the preciousness of your time, we have equipped our under counter ice machine with automatic cleaning, so you can easily clean your ice maker machine by just hold the "Clean" button for 5s, helps maintain the under counter ice maker machine's efficiency and longevity and the 24H Timer function can also help you to make ice according to your schedule
- Wondeful Size & Customer Service: With the size of 20.4"D x 14.96"W x 33.9"H, there are two types of setting style for you to choose, individual placed or under counter, if you have any questions while using the ice maker, please reach out to us promptly, and we will strive to provide you with help
- Ultra-High Efficiency&Ice Output: Our commercial ice maker machine can produces 120 lbs ice per day , with 45 clear ice cubes ready in just 8-12 minutes, you will have no worry about running out of ice again even during peak hours, meanwhile, the ice maker also has a storage container for 33 lbs of ice and the thickness of our ice machine can also be adjusted for different drinks, like cocktails, beverages, coffee and more, especiallly ideal for home, bars, restaurants, cafe, hotels and other occasions for using ice.
- Durable, Reliable & Safety :The ice maker commercial built with a pure copper compressor and stainless steel body, also has an ETL certification for commercial use, it is durable and reliable for your home or commercial use, In addtion to, the commercial ice machine equipped with an upgraded water filter, which can effectively remove impurities, pollutants, and heavy metals, to keep your ice cube is crystal-clear and drink-safe.
- Multi-Function Control Panel :The ice maker machine commercial is equipped with a smart LCD panel. Any function and any operation can be solved in the control panel. The panel shows the temperature of the environment, reminding you to pay attention to the temperature of the surrounding environment to ensure the efficiency of ice making. You can also adjust the size of ice cubes by adjusting the ice making time. The industrial ice machine will clean automatically when you press the clean button.The 24-hour timer function lets you set the ice machine to start or stop running at your convenience.
- CONTROL PANEL- Compact ice maker has two optional ice cube size buttons, you can choose different sizes of ice cubes according to your needs. Small ice machine has the most advanced infrared sensor technology. When the ice basket is full, home ice maker will stop the ice making to prevent ice from overflowing. You can view the ice making process through the transparent window. When the water level in the water tank is insufficient, the indicator light will remind you to replenish water in time.
- Regular Cleaning: We recommends that you clean the ice machine regularly according to the usage. Requires water supply and drain (GRAVITY DRAINAGE). SUGGEST-Drain water once a day(PULLING OUT THE SMALL HOSE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE WATER TANK). Be sure to keep ice machine upright for at least 24 hours before using it. Also, press the "Timer Clean" button for more than 5 seconds to enter the "Cleaning Program" to clean it twice before making the first batch of ice.
- 【Upgraded Drainless Ice Maker】This under counter ice maker is made of brushed stainless steel, which is more durable and easy to clean. The 22-pound ice storage capacity meets the needs of long-term and large-capacity ice use. The powerful freezing system ensures that the ice cubes are always kept within the range of 26.6-32°F to avoid melting.
- 【Unique Ice Shape】Our crescent ice maker is designed for you who pursue high-quality drinks. It can efficiently produce high-quality, pure, and tasteless crescent-shaped ice cubes. The unique shape and slow melting characteristics can keep drinks cool and delicious for longer, making it the perfect partner for exquisite drinks.
- 【Detailed Design】One-touch switch to start making ice cubes, just press to start the ice making process, no cumbersome settings required. The door and hinges of the ice maker are reversible, you can choose to install it on the left or right side according to your needs, and the feet have an adjustable function, which can flexibly adapt to different space layouts.
- 【Easy Installation】This drainless ice maker adopts advanced drainage-free design, completely bid farewell to cumbersome drainage pipe installation, no need to hire a plumber to install it, you only need to connect the water supply connector and power cord to start normal use. The size design of 14.9"W x 18.6"D x 33.8"H can be easily placed under most standard kitchen counters.
- 【Quality Assurance】Each built-in ice maker has passed ETL certification and meets strict ETL safety and quality certification standards, ensuring that our ice makers meet the highest industry standards in terms of safety and reliability. COTLIN also provides lifetime service support, so you can choose and use this ice maker with confidence.
- Fast Ice Making & Storage: 15”W stainless steel under the counter ice maker produces an impressive 130 pounds of ice each day, and has the capacity to store 30 pounds. Our commercial under counter ice maker machine can be installed indoors or outdoors. This ice maker is front vented and has a forced air refrigeration system. Idel for fridge owner, entertainer, bartender, connoisseur, or space saver.
- Customizable Ice Thickness: You get to choose from three cube sizes, depending on your needs. Whether you’re making cocktails, packing a cooler, or entertaining the whole family for Thanksgiving, our built in ice maker is an excellent option. This freestanding ice maker measures only 15''W × 21''D × 33''H, slim design to fit into narrow spaces. The 3-layer housing material ensures longer-lasting ice cubes, preventing them from melting quickly.
- LCD Digital Control Panel: You can control this ice maker with a user-friendly control panel and check on your ice with the help of the bright LED lights. It comes with an ice scoop so you can easily fill a bowl for your guests or grab a few cubes directly from the freezer. Be sure to keep the machine upright for at least 24 hours before using it.
- Direct Drainage, No Leaking: A gravity drain.Your selection of one will be based on the installation location. You’ll need to connect the water line to the kitchen water supply and run the drain hose into the floor drain before plugging the machine in. If you need to use an external pump to drain water, please purchase the pump yourself and make sure the pump is below the floor level of the ice machine.
- Water filter&Self-Cleaning: Our commercial under counter ice maker equipped with the inline filter, remove sediment from the water before freezing to improve taste and smell. It combined with self cleaning function, filters help your ice stay crisp and clear. We also with equipped special cleaners. In order to maintain your ice maker, you'll have to clean it at least once every six months. Ice maker machine are certified by DOE.
- Continuous Ice Supply: The commercial under counter ice maker machine produces 68 lbs of nugget ice per day, ensuring a steady supply for your home, restaurant, bar, or hotel. The double-layer ice box design guarantees uninterrupted access to fresh ice whenever you need it.
- Chewable Nugget Ice: Also known as sonic or pellet ice, our crunchy, chewable nugget ice produced by our ice maker machine is a favorite for ice enthusiasts and the perfect companion for cocktails, sodas, whiskey, and more. Enjoy the satisfying texture that elevates every drink!
- Smart LCD Control Panel: The user-friendly display on the ice maker shows ambient temperature and alerts you with "Low Water" and "Ice Full" reminders for hassle-free maintenance. The 24-hour timer and cleaning function let you schedule operations and keep the under counter ice machine clean with ease.
- Keep Cold for longer: Equipped with an advanced insulation system, our commercial under counter ice maker keeps 80% of the ice frozen for 24 hours, even when fully loaded. Say goodbye to melted ice—enjoy chilled beverages anytime!
- Space-Saving Design: With compact dimensions of 17.72*14.96*32.28, this built-in ice maker machine fits seamlessly under standard kitchen counters or bars. The ice maker also works freestanding for flexible placement. ETL-certified for safety and approved for both home and commercial use (bars, restaurants, hotels, etc.).
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Under Counter Ice Makers
An under counter ice maker brings cool convenience right into your kitchen or bar area. These handy machines fit neatly below your countertop, giving you a steady supply of ice without taking up valuable counter space. Choosing the right one requires looking at a few important things. This guide helps you pick the perfect chilling companion.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop, focus on these main features. They make a big difference in how well your ice maker works for you.
Ice Production Rate
Check how much ice the machine makes in 24 hours. If you host big parties often, you need a higher production rate—maybe 40 pounds or more. For daily family use, 25 pounds might be enough. This tells you how fast you get your ice.
Storage Capacity
How much ice does the bin hold? If the machine only makes 10 pounds but can only store 5 pounds, you will run out fast. Larger storage means less frequent scooping.
Ice Shape
Most under counter models make crescent-shaped ice. This is common and works well for drinks. Some high-end models offer gourmet (square) cubes or nugget ice (chewable). Decide which shape you prefer.
Self-Cleaning Function
This is a lifesaver! A self-cleaning cycle helps keep mold and mildew away. You simply press a button, and the machine cleans itself. This feature greatly reduces manual maintenance.
Water Connection Type
Most good models connect directly to your home’s water line. This means endless ice. Some smaller units use a manual fill reservoir. If you do not want plumbing work, choose the reservoir type, but remember you must refill it often.
Important Materials and Build Quality
The materials used affect how long your ice maker lasts and how clean your ice stays.
Stainless Steel Exterior
Most modern under counter units feature a stainless steel finish. This looks sleek and modern in any kitchen. Stainless steel also resists rust and is easy to wipe clean.
Ice Bin Material
The bin that holds the ice should be made from food-grade plastic or stainless steel. Ensure the material is BPA-free. This guarantees that no harmful chemicals transfer to your ice.
Insulation Quality
Good insulation is crucial. Better insulation keeps the ice from melting quickly inside the storage bin, especially if the machine is turned off or if your kitchen runs warm. Thicker walls usually mean better insulation.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Several design choices boost or hurt the overall quality and user experience.
- Noise Level: High-quality machines run quietly. Listen for decibel ratings if the unit will be near your main living area. Loud humming or clanking reduces the enjoyment of the appliance.
- Drainage: A built-in drain pump helps remove melted water quickly. If your unit sits below the main drain line, a pump is necessary. Without one, standing water can cause problems.
- Installation Flexibility: Look for models that allow for front ventilation. This means you can slide the unit fully under the counter without worrying about airflow blocking the sides or back.
- Water Filter: A built-in water filter removes impurities and scale buildup. This improves ice taste and protects the machine’s internal parts from damage.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about where and how you will use your new machine.
Home Kitchen Use
For families, easy access is key. An ice maker integrated with your refrigerator is convenient, but a dedicated under counter unit provides much higher volume, perfect for families that use a lot of ice for daily drinks or smoothies.
Home Bar and Entertainment
If you love entertaining, an under counter model shines here. It keeps the drinks flowing without requiring trips to the freezer. Look for models that can keep ice frozen solid, even when running frequently.
Outdoor Kitchens
Some specialized models are rated for outdoor use. These units handle higher ambient temperatures better. If you plan to install it outdoors, verify the model has an appropriate weather-resistant rating.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Under Counter Ice Makers
Q: Do under counter ice makers need special plumbing?
A: Most high-capacity models require a water line connection, just like a dishwasher. Smaller, countertop-style models might only need manual filling.
Q: How much space do I need underneath the counter?
A: Standard width is usually 15 inches, but always check the specific model’s required cutout dimensions. Make sure you leave room for the water line and drain hose.
Q: How often must I clean the ice maker?
A: If it has a self-cleaning feature, run it monthly. If it is a manual clean model, you should clean the interior every two to three months.
Q: Will an under counter ice maker run continuously?
A: Yes, if it is hooked up to a water line, it will automatically refill and produce ice until the bin is full. Then, it cycles off until ice is removed.
Q: Are they energy efficient?
A: Modern units are generally efficient. They use less energy when the bin is full because they stop running. Look for Energy Star rated models for the best savings.
Q: Can I install it myself?
A: Basic installation for a plumbed unit involves connecting the water line and drain. If you are uncomfortable with plumbing, hire a professional to avoid leaks.
Q: Does the ice melt in the storage bin?
A: Yes, it will melt slowly. These units are *ice makers*, not freezers. The melted water drains away, and the machine makes new ice to replace what melted.
Q: What is the warranty usually like?
A: Most reputable brands offer a one-year warranty covering parts and labor. Compressor warranties are often longer, sometimes three years.
Q: Can I use filtered water instead of direct plumbing?
A: You can connect the unit to a filtered water line. In fact, using filtered water is recommended to prevent mineral buildup inside the machine.
Q: How loud are these machines when running?
A: Quiet models operate around 40-50 decibels, similar to a quiet refrigerator. Very loud operation usually means something is loose or the unit needs maintenance.
Hi, I’m Larry Fish, the mind behind MyGrinderGuide.com.. With a passion for all things kitchen appliances, I created this blog to share my hands-on experience and expert knowledge. Whether it’s helping you choose the right tools for your culinary adventures or offering tips to make your kitchen more efficient, I’m here to guide you. My goal is to make your time in the kitchen not only easier but also enjoyable! Welcome to my world of kitchen mastery!