Best Undercounter IceMaker With a Filter You Can Trust

The first thing you need to think about is where you’re going to put the under counter ice maker. Under counter ice makers are permanent fixtures like any other large kitchen appliance. So, you’ll need to make sure you pick a spot with enough space for it to fit.

You’ll also want to choose a spot with a level surface since that will affect how the ice maker operates. If you put it in a spot that isn’t level, it can cause problems with ice production.

Some under counter ice makers come with adjustable leveling legs, which makes it easy to get it set properly. But for those that don’t, you can purchase separate leveling legs for installation.

In addition, the best under counter ice maker needs the proper connections to work, including a dedicated water line and an electrical outlet.

Plus, some under counter ice makers also need a drain line to get rid of excess water from melting ice. So, unless you’re an expert do-it-yourselfer, hire a licensed plumber to hook everything up.

One more thing to consider is that even the best under counter ice maker needs to be in a room-temperature environment to function properly.

While it might seem like a cool idea to put your under counter ice maker in your garage or patio, you’ll need to check whether the unit can be installed in areas prone to extreme hot or cold temperatures.

There are units specifically designed for outside use, so if that’s what you want, you can choose one specifically made for that purpose.

Not all under counter ice makers require drainage since it all depends on the type of ice the unit makes.

Some under counter ice makers act like freezers and keep the ice frozen enough that a drain isn’t required. These models usually make crescent-shaped ice.

Other models like those that make clear ice need to drain excess water because the ice has a faster melting rate.

Draining excess water can be done either with a gravity drain or a drain pump.

Gravity drains are like the drains you see on the floor near your water heater, air conditioning unit, or washing machine. The excess water from the under counter ice maker comes out through a hose to the drain.

On the other hand, drain pumps pump the water from the built-in ice maker into the sink drain through a hose or line. You’ll probably use a drain pump unless you’re installing the under counter ice maker where a gravity drain already exists.

Your specific model will indicate if a drain is required. Also, a drain pump will usually be included as part of your purchase. If not, you can buy one separately.

Different under counter ice makers make different types of ice. Typically, an under counter ice maker will either make clear ice or crescent ice. The difference between the two is how the ice maker produces the ice.

Ice makers that make crescent ice simply freezes tap water with all its bubbles and impurities. Even if you use a water filter with your under counter ice maker, you won’t be able to make clear ice with this unit.

On the other hand, built-in ice makers that make clear ice have the capability of removing oxygen bubbles from the water as it freezes. Thus it produces crystal-clear ice.

In addition, some models allow you to choose different sizes and shapes of ice like a full cube or half cube. And there are even high-end models that produce gourmet ice.

So, what are some of these different styles of ice and their uses?

Crescent ice is the typical ice you see from refrigerator ice makers. It’s shaped like a half-moon and doesn’t stick together, which makes it ideal for any drink. However, it tends to melt quickly and change the flavor of your drinks.

Cubed ice can come full-size or half-size. This ice melts slower and doesn’t change the flavor of your drink. It also works perfectly for blended drinks.

Gourmet ice is also known as top hat ice. It sometimes comes with a hole in the middle and is crystal clear. This ice is the slowest melting and leaves no taste behind.

It’s also elegant looking and will enhance any drink you make for you or your guests.

There is also a nugget or sonic ice shaped like a nugget. These are softer ice cubes and can be easily chewed. They also retain the flavor of the beverage with which they are mixed and work well with carbonated drinks.

So, whether you want basic ice or fancy ice, you can have your pick with the best under counter ice maker.

Ice production rate is how much ice a unit produces in 24 hours. Most built-in ice makers can make anywhere from 12 pounds and up.

So, you’ll want to choose an under counter ice maker that produces the right amount of ice for your needs.

In addition, a unit’s ice-making ability also depends on whether it’s performing in the optimal environment. If the environment is too hot, ice production rates may decrease.

Hand in hand with ice production rate is ice storage capacity. What ice storage capacity means is how much ice your unit can hold at one time.

For example, if you buy a built-in ice maker that makes 12 pounds of ice, it should be able to store 6 pounds of it.

Also, the best under counter ice maker will stop making ice once that capacity threshold is reached. And it will resume making ice once some of it is removed.

While there are many under counter ice makers that have a built-in water filter feature, many others do not. And while a water filter isn’t a necessity for your built-in ice maker to function, most manufacturers highly recommend adding one to make the highest quality ice.

Plus, a water filter will extend the life of your under counter ice maker and even help it perform more efficiently.

Water filters remove all sorts of sediments and contaminants from your water so your ice will have a better taste and smell. In addition, water filters will help eliminate the build-up of lime, mold, and slime, which will affect the performance of your under counter ice maker.

If the under counter ice maker you choose doesn’t have a built-in water filter, there are many affordable options available that are easy to install yourself. But since the licensed plumber will be there installing the ice maker for you anyway, they can install your new water filter, too.

Also, remember to change your water filter according to the filter manufacturer’s specifications for the best results.

The look and design of your under counter ice maker will depend on your preferences. There aren’t many options as far as color is concerned since most under counter ice makers come in black, white, or stainless steel.

However, some under counter ice makers allow you to put a custom panel on the door, so it matches your current cabinetry and kitchen decor.

In addition, some under counter ice makers have reversible doors, which means you can switch the swing of the door according to your needs. This is a great option when you’re limited on space or want to put your ice maker close to a wall.