Retro-styled countertop ice makers might be a good substitute for a full-sized retro refrigerator with an ice maker built in.
In my previous article about affordable full-size retro refrigerators, a common question in the comments was about retro refrigerators with ice makers.
Yes, it's true: Only the most expensive Retro Refrigerators will come with an ice maker built in.
But, that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your money or that retro style for the convenience of an ice maker.
Instead, you might consider getting a countertop ice maker that matches the style of your cool retro fridge. Some benefits include:
- They are more affordable.
- They produce ice faster.
- They can save space.
Let's look at some of the ways retro-styled countertop ice makers for homes can be better than a Retro Refrigerator with an ice maker…
Retro Refrigerator with an Ice Maker (Pros & Cons)
The great convenience of having a retro refrigerator with an ice maker built in is two-fold:
- Ice is ready to use as soon as you need it, and
- You don't have to think about making it.
If your refrigerator ice-maker is connected to a waterline, the whole process is automated for you in the background.
The main drawbacks to this are when you need A LOT of ice, and if you need it FAST.
For example, while entertaining a lot of guests at a big party, or for an impromptu gathering.
A refrigerator ice maker won't keep up, because the freezing process is slower.
Another common drawback that I hear reported about built-in ice maker ice is a bad or funny taste.
Depending on what you have in your freezer, and how the ice is stored, the ice can pick up that “freezer burn” taste.
It can also be affected if you don't regularly clean your built-in ice maker, and the water-line, which can be a difficult process.
Countertop Ice Makers for Home Use (Pros & Cons)
Bigger than a toaster, but smaller than a microwave (or about the size of a small one), a countertop ice maker can produce a small bowl of ice in a matter of 5-10 minutes.
- They are compact (bigger than a toaster, but smaller than a microwave);
- Portable (put them anywhere in the house or on your deck);
- Do not require a water line or drain; and
- Can be easily put away when you don't need them.
“Ice when you need it” is as simple as pouring water in, and turning it on.
And, their price point makes them a more affordable addition to your retro refrigerator than an upgrade to a more expensive fridge.
Of course, there are some drawbacks:
For one, there's no long-term storage. Once the ice is made, you need to either use it right away, or store it in your retro fridge freezer.
They also require a little attention.
For example, you'll have to manually add water when you need more ice — it's not automatic.
And, you'll need to be sure to maintain and clean it somewhat regularly, to keep out debris, mildew, and maybe some mineral residue from the water.
6 Good Retro Style Countertop Ice Makers
Here are a few brands and models of retro-style countertop ice makers that might go will with your other retro kitchen appliances.
They all function similarly—the technology is basically the same for all:
- Pour water in
- Turn it on
- Wait about 10 minutes (give or take a few minutes depending on the model)
…and BINGO! Your first cubes of ice are ready.
Though, I'm not sure you could really call them “cubes” because they're not square-shaped. Countertop ice makers usually create bullet-shaped ice. Though there are exceptions.
Differences include things like options for ice-cube size, windows vs. transparent lids to watch the progress and see when your ice is ready, and the advertised speed of freezing.*
*(It seems to me that the faster speeds are referring to the smaller ice cube sizes.)
For your benefit, I've added links to product pages and manuals, as well as some videos of the countertop ice maker reviews that exhibit the relative sizes and functionality of the products.
Galanz GLCI26RDR3A Countertop Ice Maker
Company: Galanz Appliances
–> Download Manual
–> Product Page
Price: $110~$140 Online;
Size: 13.15” H x 8.9” W x 12.32” D;
Weight: 17.9 lb;
Capacity: 2.1 cu ft;
Output: 26 lbs. per day;
Production Cycle: 9 cubes every ~12 minutes
If you've picked up one of the affordable retro refrigerators from Galanz, then you've found a perfect match here for both color and style. But, it's a fun, retro red look to accentuate ANY kitchen countertop.
- Production Capacity: Produces 9 bullet cubes within 13 minutes, for up to 26 pounds in 24 hours
- Two ice cube sizes: Select between smaller cubes for water bottles & snacking, or larger cubes for taller glasses and beverages
- Ice Scoop included
- Large window in the lid allows you to view the ice capacity of the machine
- Removable basket for easy cleaning
- Drain plug to remove any unused water or melted ice.
Here's their sales video to give you a sense of its size and functionality:
Igloo ICEB26 Automatic Portable Electric Countertop Ice Maker
Company: Nostalgia Products
–> Download Manual
Price: $129~$159 Online;
Size: 12.4” H x 9.61” W x 14.69” D;
Weight: 20.5 lb;
Storage Capacity: 3 qts water / 2 lbs. ice;
Output: 26 lbs. per day;
Production Cycle: 9 cubes every ~7 minutes
| Shop online at: | – Amazon – Home Depot – Overstock.com – Wayfair |
For a wider selection of colors, these Igloo countertop ice makers from Nostalgia Products give you 5 options: White, Black, Retro-Red, and Stainless Steel as well as the Aqua (Baby Blue?) model shown, above.
- Quick freezing: 9 cubes in as little as 7 minutes
- Production Capacity: Up to 26 pounds in 24 hours
- Water Tank Capacity: 3 quarts
- Ice Basket Capacity: 2 lbs.
- Two ice cube sizes: Select between smaller cubes for water bottles & snacking, or larger cubes for taller glasses and beverages
- Ice Scoop included
- Control Panel Lights: LED lights illuminate to indicate Ice Size, Add Water and Ice Full
- Transparent Lid allows you to view the ice capacity of the machine
- Removable basket for easy cleaning
- Drain plug to remove any unused water or melted ice.
FRIGIDAIRE Portable Compact Counter Top Ice Making Machine
Company: Curtis/Frigidaire
–> Download Manual
Price: $94.99~$129.99 Online;
Size: 14.44″ D x 9.6″ W x 14.88″ H;
Storage Capacity: 2.3 qts water / 2.65 lbs ice;
Output: 26 lbs. per day;
Production Cycle: 9 cubes every ~6 minutes
| Shop online at: | – Amazon – Home Depot |
Frigidaire countertop ice makers come in Retro Blue, White, and Silver (and even in Black, though harder to find).
- Quick freezing: 9 cubes in as little as 6 minutes
- Production Capacity: Up to 26 pounds in 24 hours
- Ice Basket Capacity: 2.65 lbs.
- Two ice cube sizes: Select between 2 sizes of cubes
- Ice Scoop included
- Display Panel indicates whether you need more water or if the ice is ready
- Window in Lid allows you to view the ice capacity of the machine
- Removable basket for easy serving and cleaning
- Drain plug for easy emptying and cleaning
Check out an unboxing video:
NewAir AI100 Series Outdoor Portable Ice Maker
Company: NewAir
–> Download Manual
Price: $180.99~$209.99 Online;
Size: 13.75″D x 11.75″W (12.50″ w/drain) x 14.60″H;
Weight: 24.30 lb;
Storage Capacity: 5.5 qts water;
Output: 28 lbs. per day;
Production Cycle: 9 cubes every 6-10 minutes
| Shop online at: | – Amazon – Appliances Connection – Home Depot – NewAir.com – Overstock.com |
NewAir is a refrigeration company that specialized in smaller, more compact appliances.
Their line of countertop ice makers brags of a larger capacity than the other products on this page, as well as an additional ice cube size.
For the environmentally health-conscious, NewAir also makes their ice makers out of BPA-free (non-toxic plastic) parts, so you don't have to worry about your ice.
- Quick freezing: 9 cubes in as little as 6 minutes
- Production Capacity: Up to 28 pounds in 24 hours
- Ice Basket Capacity: 2.65 lbs.
- 3 ice cube sizes: Select between small, medium, and large cubes
- Ice Scoop included
- Display Panel indicates whether you need more water or if the ice is ready
- The Small Window in Lid combines with a Full Ice Basket Indicator allowing you to montior the ice capacity
- Removable basket for easy serving and cleaning
- Drain plug for easy emptying and cleaning
Magic Chef MCIM22 Series Portable Ice Maker
Company: Magic Chef
–> Download Manual
Price: $117~$250 Online;
Size: 12.9” H x 9.5” W x 14.1” D;
Weight: 20.3 lb;
Storage Capacity: 1.5 lbs.;
Output: 27 lbs. per day;
Production Cycle: 9 cubes every ~7 minutes
| Shop online at: | – Amazon – Appliances Connection – Home Depot – Overstock.com – Wayfair |
Magic Chef has a reputation for quality compact kitchen appliances.
These ice makers come in Red, Black, White, and Stainless Steel.
- Quick freezing: 9 cubes in about 7 minutes
- Production Capacity: Up to 27 pounds in 24 hours
- Ice Basket Capacity: 1.5 lbs.
- Two ice cube sizes: Select between 2 sizes of cubes
- Ice Scoop included
- Display Panel indicates whether you need more water or if the ice is ready
- Window in Lid allows you to view the ice capacity of the machine
- Removable basket for easy serving and cleaning
- Drain plug for easy emptying and cleaning
Costway Portable Countertop Ice Maker
Company: Costway
–> Download Manual
Price: $124~$155 Online;
Size: 12” H x 9” W x 12” D;
Weight: 17 lb;
Storage Capacity: 1.6 qts / 1.3 lbs.;
Output: 26 lbs. per day;
Production Cycle: 9 cubes every ~8 minutes
| Shop online at: | – Costway – Home Depot – Overstock.com |
Costway specializes in a wide variety of home-living products, and makes the most compact of the ice makers on this list.
Available in Black, Aqua Green, Red, and Silver, it keeps up with the others on this list, while taking up less space on your countertop.
- Quick freezing: 9 cubes in about 8 minutes
- Production Capacity: Up to 26 pounds in 24 hours
- Ice Basket Capacity: 1.3 lbs.
- Two ice cube sizes: Select between 2 sizes of cubes
- Ice Scoop included
- Display Panel indicates whether you need more water or if the ice is ready
- Window in Lid allows you to view the ice capacity of the machine
- Removable basket for easy serving and cleaning
- Drain plug for easy emptying and cleaning
Costway also makes a larger model, producing 44 lbs of ice in a day, 12 cubes at a time, and a model with a clear lid, that only comes in Mint Green.
Retro Countertop IceMakers
I hope this article has broadened the options for your retro kitchen appliances, by showing you that retro-styled countertop ice makers might be a good alternative to a full-sized retro refrigerator with an ice maker built in.
If you have any questions, or even advice or other suggestions for future readers, please leave them in the comments below.
Thanks for reading, and good luck building your retro kitchen!
~ Scott
